Angela Rippon is a legendary British broadcaster, journalist, and television presenter known for becoming the first female journalist to permanently present the BBC national news in 1975. She gained public attention for her groundbreaking career across six decades, her iconic dance appearance on the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show in 1976, and becoming the oldest contestant on Strictly Come Dancing at age 79 in 2023.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Angela Rippon CBE
Age: 81 (born October 12, 1944)
Nationality: British
Occupation: Journalist, Newsreader, Television Presenter
Known For: First female BBC national news presenter; Strictly Come Dancing’s oldest contestant; presenting Rip Off Britain
Marital Status: Divorced
Children: None
Early Life and Background
Angela Rippon was born in Plymouth, Devon, on October 12, 1944. Her father was a Royal Marine and her mother was a seamstress. She attended a public secondary school for girls before leaving at age 17 to begin her career as a photojournalist for the Western Morning News.
Career and Achievements
Rippon’s broadcasting career spans more than 60 years . She began by presenting television and radio in the South West before joining the BBC in the 1970s. In 1975, she made history as the first female journalist to permanently present the BBC national news on the Nine O’Clock News.
Her career highlights include presenting Top Gear, Antiques Roadshow, the Eurovision Song Contest, and the original Come Dancing. After leaving the BBC, she fronted Rip Off Britain, a consumer affairs program. In March 2024, she received the Eon Productions Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sky Women in Film & TV Awards. She currently presents Angela Rippon’s River Cruises on Channel 5.
Divorce from Childhood Sweetheart
In 1967, at age 22, Rippon married her childhood sweetheart, engineer Christopher Dare, whom she had met at a YMCA dance.
The couple lived in a 17th-century cottage on the edge of Dartmoor but never had children. They separated in 1989 after 22 years of marriage, though Rippon did not publicly announce the split for over a year.
Reflecting on the divorce at age 60, she recalled: “It was a stress, of course it was. It was a very stressful period for all sorts of reasons. My immediate feeling was, ‘Oh God, I’ve failed at this’.” However, she maintained a close friendship with her ex-husband: “I talk to him on the phone a couple of times a month. We email each other. He lives in Spain now with his partner, Judy. We exchange cards at birthdays and Christmas”.
Eye-Watering Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Rippon’s lengthy and phenomenally successful career has paid off handsomely, with her estimated fortune standing at $10 million (£8.5 million).
Why She Is In the News
Rippon is in the news following the debut of her new Channel 5 series, Angela Rippon’s River Cruises, which aired on May 10, 2026. The series follows the broadcasting legend as she explores historic international waterways, beginning with a journey along the Danube through Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria.
Conclusion
Angela Rippon is a true broadcasting pioneer who shattered the glass ceiling for women in television news. Now in her ninth decade, she continues to work, enjoying a “good relationship” with her ex-husband decades after their “stressful” but amicable split.
