02 May 2023 , 13:09
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Michael Palin has announced his beloved wife Helen has sadly died after suffering with chronic pain and kidney failure.
The couple were married for 57 years before Helen's sad death.
Actor and comedian Michael, 79, confirmed the devastating news in a post shared to his official website on Tuesday.
Michael announced that Helen had passed in the early hours of the morning.
In the heartbreaking post, the Monty Python star said that their three children, Thomas, 54, William, 52, and Rachel, 48, will be forever lost without their beloved mother.
Monty Python stars 'don't speak often' as Michael Palin reflects on wife's death
Helen had suffered ill health for several years
The actor announced the devastating news on his website (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)The actor described Helen as his 'childhood sweetheart', revealing that she had been suffering with chronic pain for a number of years.
Helen was then diagnosed with kidney failure before her death.
Michael and Helen first met when they were just 16-years-old.
The lovebirds went on to marry in 1966 when they reached their early twenties.
Last month, the couple marked their 57th wedding anniversary.
Michael and Helen had been married for 57 years (Popperfoto via Getty Images)
Michael has been left devastated by his beloved wife's sad death (Getty Images)After a tough couple of weeks, Michael announced his beloved wife's death on Tuesday, revealing that she passed away in the early hours of the morning.
"My dearest wife Helen died peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning," the actor began.
"She had been suffering with chronic pain for several years, which was compounded a few years ago by a diagnosis of kidney failure.
"We first met on a summer holiday on the Suffolk coast when we were both sixteen and we married in our early twenties. Two and a half weeks ago we celebrated our 57th wedding anniversary.
"Her death is an indescribable loss for myself, our three children and four grandchildren.
Monty Python legend Michael Palin's poignant vow after the death of his wife
Michael Palin shares three children with Helen (REX/Shutterstock)
Michael and his wife had been married for 57 years (PA)"Helen was the bedrock of my life. Her quietly wise judgment informed all my decisions and her humour and practical good sense was was at the heart of our life together.
"The family ask that their privacy be respected at this time."
Michael opened up about Helen's chronic pain battle last year.
At the time, he revealed that his beloved wife had been moved into respite care from the home they had shared for 50 years.
Helen had battled chronic pain for many years before her sad death (Alan Davidson)Helen had sadly not been responding to medication for her chronic pain and she was moved to help her 'manage' her symptoms.
"I don't think you can cure it, but they will help her manage it. It's such a bore. She was so active and still is mentally. But the body is declining. We live life with our fingers crossed," Michael told the Telegraph.