Michaela Strachan's love life from sad divorce to fears she'd never have kids
As Winterwatch returns to our screens, we take a look at presenter Michaela Strachan's life behind the scenes.
The 56-year-old, who is best known for her love of the natural world, now appears to be the very picture of domestic bliss, living an outdoorsy life in Cape Town, South Africa with her doting partner Nick Chevallier and their family.
Surrey-born Michaela has had to face a few obstacles along the way to finding her happy ending, including fears that she would never become a mother, as well as a terrifying cancer battle that's made her appreciate life all the more.
First marriage and difficult reason behind divorce
Michaela and her first husband encountered a 'fundamental difference' (EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS)
The TV presenter didn't realise how much she wanted children until later in life (ExpressStar)Michaela was previously married to filmmaker Duncan Chard, who has directed nature series such as Secrets of Wild India (2012) and Alaska: A Year in the Wild (2017). The couple tied the knot in 1996, but decided to call it quits in 2001 after running into a 'fundamental difference' that made it clear they weren't on the same path.
Speaking with The Telegraph in 2016, Michaela revealed: "I'd never been someone desperate to have children and then I changed my mind. It was quite a fundamental difference between us and it ended the marriage."
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Finding love again and mountain-top first date
Michaela knew Nick was 'the one' after their very first date (Instagram)In 2003, two years after her divorce, Michaela locked eyes with her now partner, director and cameraman Nick Chevallier, while filming in Cape Town, and it soon became clear that they were made for each other. Recalling their first date during an interview with You magazine, Michaela shared: "After a long walk up the mountain together, a bottle of wine at the top and a cable car down, I knew he was the one."
Their blossoming romance laid the foundations for an enduring relationship and, two decades on, Michaela and Nick appear to be just as head-over-heels as ever. Sharing the 'secret' to their happiness in a 2018 interview with the Mirror, Michaela divulged: "I think the secret is not to get married. I shouldn't say that. That could be taken well out of context. But maybe the secret is we're apart a lot."
She continued: "We don't get on each other's nerves as much as maybe we would if we were together all the time. We're both into the outdoors, we're both into wildlife, being outdoors, being fit. We're very like-minded people. We're very good friends and get on really well."
Motherhood joy
The Winterwatch star 'adores' being a mum (Instagram)
Michaela's cancer diagnosis left her feeling stronger (Instagram)In 2006, Michaela and Nick were overjoyed to welcome their son Ollie, after fears that widower Nick, who already had three children of his own, wouldn't want to become a dad for the fourth time. Confessing her apprehension during an interview with The Times, Michaela said: "When I got together with Nick, I thought he might feel he didn't want a fourth child of his own. But it all worked out. He adores Ollie."
Opening up about her love of motherhood during a 2016 interview with the Mail Online, Michaela reflected: "When I was younger I was so into my career that I didn't think I'd have a child. I'm so glad that changed. There's no love that can compare to what I feel for Oliver and I adore being a mum. But when I first had him it made me realise that we'd got it wrong as a species."
She proceeded to explain: "I was 39, I had this child, and I realised I knew nothing about babies. I was so naive about how hard it was. I thought, 'Why did nobody tell me about this?' If we, as humans, still lived in community structures I would have helped bring up other people's babies and I would have known what it was like. I'm not saying being more like lions is the answer but it's an interesting debate."
Ollie is now 18 and a recent school graduate, with proud mum Michaela sharing a sweet graduation snap with Instagram followers. Expressing astonishment at the passing of the years, she wrote: "Where did the years go? My son Ollie's Validictory day, last day at school before finals. All the parents went clubbing with the 18 year olds after! The Hitman & Her moves came out on the dance floor! Embarrassing? Highly Possible!"
Cancer diagnosis
Following a routine mammogram in 2014, Michaela was diagnosed with breast cancer and was advised that a double mastectomy would offer her the best chance of survival. Speaking out about the moment she learned the devastating news with You that same year, the presenter said: "The tears started to roll as my doctor tried to tell me what would happen next but I only took in every fifth word or so. The one word that registered was cancer."
Thankfully, Michaela is now cancer-free, and believes the health challenges she'd faced have given her a new appreciation for life. Opening up to Woman & Home magazine in 2022, Michaela explained: "Going through breast cancer also strengthened me. It has given me more resilience and made me appreciate my life more because I realise that something could have ended it early and that's a shock." She added: "Often, I forget I've had breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy and have slightly funny-looking boobs but, other than that, that's it. I was incredibly lucky."
Season 12 of Winterwatch begins 8pm, January 16 on BBC2.
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