Inside Kate Garraway's life almost a year after heartbreaking loss of husband

Kate Garraway has been on an emotional journey following the devastating death of her husband, Derek Draper, who died almost a year ago.

Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway is navigating a new normal after the heart-wrenching loss of her husband, Derek Draper, who died nearly a year ago on January 3, 2024.

Following a prolonged battle with long COVID, Derek’s passing brought to a close a deeply challenging time for Kate and their children. The family continues to grieve as they adapt to life without him.

Kate has offered an intimate look at her family life through a series of ITV documentaries, detailing the realities of living with long COVID as Derek’s health waned. Despite her optimism, the devoted mother of two faced devastation with Derek’s death earlier this year.

Now, the courageous presenter is shouldering her grief while reshaping her life and focusing on her children, all while maintaining her career and supporting carers nationwide. We delve into how Kate is coping after Derek’s death, reports the Daily Record.

Grief

Kate Garraway has been open regarding her grief following Derek’s death(Image: ITV)

At 57, Kate has been open about her sorrow, describing it as a fragile period where she is “barely holding it together.”

She has spoken about the immense emotional toll that comes with losing a loved one, acknowledging the profound changes in her life since Derek’s death at 56.

Having spent years caring for him, Kate finds the transition to a life without Derek both surreal and shattering. She talks about taking “one step at a time,” underlining the need for patience in the healing process.

In March, Kate opened up about the last times she spoke with Derek, recalling uplifting moments filled with hope. Speaking to The Times, she shared: “We were in a very different place, health-wise, from the year before – and it felt like the happiest place.

“We had more of Derek back. We always knew his injuries could take him, but it all felt so positive at that point. It was the furthest from my mind that anything could happen.”

Navigating Parenthood in Challenging Times

Kate has advocated for normalcy in her children’s lives(Image: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Im)

As a mother to Darcey and Billy, Kate has been unwavering in her commitment to providing stability and emotional support for her children amidst challenging times. Her children have demonstrated remarkable resilience and exceptional strength.

Understanding that her children are undergoing their own grief, Kate has made it a point to maintain open communication and share moments together to uplift spirits. Their resilience is a pillar of strength for her as they navigate a new phase in life.

Come September, Kate showed steadfastness in upholding routine by helping her eldest, Darcey, aged 18, move to university. Taking to Instagram, she penned: “And just like that, she was off! That tiny helpless baby we brought home from hospital 18 yrs ago has gone to #uni! Just like thousands of other parents this weekend, I was playing that game of #student jenga trying to get it all in the car.”

Addressing Economic Hardships

Kate has been open about her financial situation since Derek’s death(Image: ITV)

The prolonged period of caring for Derek has brought significant financial strain on the family. Kate has openly discussed these difficulties, including the potential need to sell their specially adapted home for Derek’s medical care.

Earlier in the year, Kate became an advocate for unpaid carers like herself, disclosing that she is £800,000 in debt due to Derek’s care costs and highlighting the shortfall in support available.

She expressed: “It’s supposed to be a system that’s meant to catch you if you fall. But actually, it feels like it’s trying to catch you out… Derek’s needs were clearly so great, yet he didn’t warrant funded care – so you think, ‘If he isn’t getting it, then who is?'”

“To be fair to them, no one’s contacted me since he’s passed away to ask for that. They may well still do, but they haven’t as yet,” she shared with The Times.

Advocacy and Recognition

The star has won awards for her realistic portrayal in her documentaries(Image: Getty)

Throughout Derek’s illness, Kate leveraged her public profile to shed light on the struggles of carers, sharing her journey through documentaries and interviews. Her advocacy remains a key focus, with plans to launch a new ITV series centred on resilience and recovery.

Beyond her advocacy efforts, Kate has continued her role on Good Morning Britain. She returned to the show after Derek’s passing, expressing gratitude to viewers and colleagues for their constant support, reflecting her appreciation and determination to embrace life amidst challenges.

Kate has garnered multiple accolades for her moving television documentaries, including Caring for Derek, Derek’s Story, and Finding Derek.

Following her triumph at the National Television Awards this year, Kate expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her supporters on Instagram: “My goodness – thank you all so so much – we are in bits but I promise I won’t let you down. Such an incredible series of programmes to be nominated alongside – @robbiewilliams @davidbeckham @victoriabeckham @rhodgilbert @rose.a.e your stories are incredible – it was humbling to be in your group. It means everything to all our family – thank you for recognising carers everywhere and love to you all.” (sic)

Good Morning Britain airs Mondays-Fridays from 6am on ITV1.

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