Who is Sonia Kruger’s long-time partner Craig McPherson? Inside Big Brother host’s low-key romance and the controversial way they met
Sonia Kruger made a rare appearance with her partner of 16 years Craig McPherson as they stepped out at Sydney Airport with daughter Maggie, eight, on Friday.
And while Big Brother host Sonia, 58, is one of Australia’s most famous TV personalities, fans may not know much about her equally powerful partner.
Craig is director of news and public affairs at Seven Network, responsible for programs including 7NEWS, Sunrise and The Morning Show.
He has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years and is credited with helping Sunrise sell its title as Australia’s number one breakfast show in a decade.
Sonia started dating Craig in 2008 when they both worked at Seven, before welcoming daughter Maggie in 2015.
Big Big Brother presenter Sonia, 58, (right) is one of Australia’s most famous TV personalities. Fans may not know much about her equally powerful partner, Seven boss Craig McPherson (centre). Pictured Friday with daughter Maggie, eight, at Sydney Airport
Craig has six children from a previous relationship.
The Strictly Ballroom star has previously admitted her romance with Craig was slow.
Speaking to The Anj, Rob & Robbo Show in 2021, Sonia said she and Craig had many heated arguments when he was her boss on current affairs show Today Tonight, several years before they started dating.
Sonia started dating Craig in 2008 when they both worked at Seven, before welcoming daughter Maggie in 2015
“He’s one of the toughest taskmasters out there. You would know. You will get very little praise from Craig, but you will definitely hear about it if you made a mistake or missed something,” she said.
She revealed that Craig once berated her over the phone because Nine’s rival news program A Current Affair had caught wind of a story she was chasing about former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins.
However, Sonia got to know a different side to Craig years later, after leaving Today Tonight and hosting the reality show Dancing with the Stars.
Speaking to The Anj, Rob & Robbo Show in 2021, Sonia said she and Craig had many heated arguments when he was her boss on current affairs show Today Tonight, several years before they started dating. (Sonia is pictured early in her career)
Sonia revealed that her former boss contacted her when her father was very ill in hospital.
“He had obviously heard about it and sent me a very nice message,” she said. “And from that moment on we started talking and reconnecting.”
Sonia defected from Seven to rival network Nine in 2011, a decision she admits caused discomfort in her relationship until she returned to Seven in 2019.
“It’s really nice to barrack for the same team again because it can get tough,” she told the Not Here To Make Friends podcast in 2020
‘Like when you say, ‘Yes! My team won!’ But to be on the same side again is a good thing.”
Sonia was previously married to British banker James Davies between 2002 and 2008.
Sonia defected from Seven to rival network Nine in 2011, a decision she admits caused discomfort in her relationship until she returned to Seven in 2019.