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‘Monty Python’ star Michael Palin, 82, details his will plans after losing wife: ‘I do think about death’
New York Post ^ | July 31, 2025 | Whitney Vasquez

Posted on 07/31/2025 9:01:07 PM PDT by Angelino97

Sir Michael Palin has plans in place for his inevitable death.

The 82-year-old star of the British comedy troupe Monty Python revealed that he’s organized his will and instructed his loved ones on what to do when he dies following his wife’s passing in 2023.

Speaking on the podcast “On the Marie Curie Couch,” Palin got real about his end-of-life arrangements, noting that losing his significant other has helped his family be more open about the end.

“I do think about death, and the family are rather wonderful about it: ‘Have you made a will? Can I be in your will?’” the English comedian shared on Wednesday’s episode of the podcast “On the Marie Curie Couch.”

“I’ve made my will and all that. My family, my children, know where to find what they need to find should I die,” he added.

The actor and writer lost his wife, Helen Gibbins, in 2023 to chronic kidney disease. Palin has also gone through his own health battle.

In 2019, he underwent heart surgery to repair a mitral valve and shared how the experience made him more aware of his body.

“However fit you are, anything might happen,” Palin explained on the podcast. “But I don’t dwell on mortality. I dwell on life.”...

The pair wed in 1966 and were married for 57 years when she passed away two years ago.

Palin admitted, “There was a time when I didn’t think it was going to get better. I thought, gosh, it’s just going to be poignant days. I’m going to break into tears every now and then.”

However, he shared, “It does get better and it does adjust. And after two years now I feel I could think of Helen. I’m surrounded by her anyway. I’ve got photos.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: helengibbins; michaelpalin; montypython; newyorkpost; onthemariecuriecouch; whitneyvasquez
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Not only a great comedian. He also gave a great dramatic performance in American Friends.


1 posted on 07/31/2025 9:01:07 PM PDT by Angelino97
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To: Angelino97

“ his inevitable death”

Death is not inevitable.


2 posted on 07/31/2025 9:02:39 PM PDT by libh8er
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To: libh8er

Death of the physical body is inevitable.


3 posted on 07/31/2025 9:07:48 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: libh8er

Oh?
Maybe that depends on how one defines ‘death’.


4 posted on 07/31/2025 9:09:02 PM PDT by lee martell
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To: libh8er

Some just wind up pinin’ for the fjords.


5 posted on 07/31/2025 9:21:19 PM PDT by Salamander (Please visit my profile page to help me go home again. https://www.givesendgo.com/GCRRD)
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To: Jamestown1630; Angelino97; lee martell
Over the years, I’ve had a different favorite Python.

For the past decade or so, it’s been Palin.

It’s hard to explain why. But perhaps his greatest bit is this one from the Holy Grail.


6 posted on 07/31/2025 9:21:33 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
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To: Salamander

He’s restin’.


7 posted on 07/31/2025 9:22:13 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s²)
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To: DoodleBob

This thread could really spiral out of control fast, ya know.

🦜


8 posted on 07/31/2025 9:31:10 PM PDT by Salamander (Please visit my profile page to help me go home again. https://www.givesendgo.com/GCRRD)
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To: DoodleBob

I just found The Meaning Of Life dvd in a Greedwill for .99.

I was missing that one but can not find Jabberwocky.

MP was a major influence on me growing up, which probably explains a lot.

/scored the Flying Circus box set at GW for $4 last year


9 posted on 07/31/2025 9:37:54 PM PDT by Salamander (Please visit my profile page to help me go home again. https://www.givesendgo.com/GCRRD)
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To: Angelino97

Who doesn’t think about death once they hit 60?


10 posted on 07/31/2025 9:39:11 PM PDT by Bullish (My tagline ran off with another man, but it's ok---- I wasn't married to it.)
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To: Angelino97

I can relate to what he is saying.
When you lose people close to you, you can't help but think about it.


11 posted on 07/31/2025 9:39:57 PM PDT by chud
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To: Salamander

I loved MPFC... “The meaning of life” and “Life of Brian” both stunk though, IMO.


12 posted on 07/31/2025 9:47:40 PM PDT by Bullish (My tagline ran off with another man, but it's ok---- I wasn't married to it.)
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To: Bullish

LOB is priceless if for nothing else, Cleese’s rant when Idle announces he wants to be a woman.

Maybe I’m just hardcore MP.

/blancmange

😛


13 posted on 07/31/2025 9:51:54 PM PDT by Salamander (Please visit my profile page to help me go home again. https://www.givesendgo.com/GCRRD)
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To: Angelino97

When I first moved to the UK I did not really understand the humor of Monty Python on the Tele. After a few months in the UK and then understanding their humor I was a total fan of Monty Python and everything they did in movies. They were geniuses of humor and oddly highly educated in the extreme. Perhaps that was the source of their genius in comedy. They were smart people.


14 posted on 07/31/2025 10:00:17 PM PDT by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist ,MAGA)
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To: Angelino97
The pair wed in 1966 and were married for 57...“It does get better and it does adjust. And after two years now I feel I could think of Helen. I’m surrounded by her anyway. I’ve got photos."

God bless them. 57 years -- it must be so hard to lose your life's love after that time together. We just hit 43 years.


15 posted on 07/31/2025 10:02:21 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: DoodleBob

Dennis is my favorite character. Palin did a masterful job.


16 posted on 07/31/2025 10:04:20 PM PDT by Salvavida
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To: Bullish
Who doesn’t think about death once they hit 60?

Bill Belichick?
17 posted on 07/31/2025 10:23:17 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: Dr. Sivana

Keith Richards


18 posted on 07/31/2025 10:34:39 PM PDT by Bob434 (Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana)
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To: Bullish

I was thinking a lot about death during my 18 day hospital stay f for a rare illness called pulmonary nocardiosis ( of lung ) .I was released yesterday . I thought at first it might be the big C . I’m on the mend and on meds but it’s going to be a while before I’m 100% or near it . I’m 73 , no spring chicken . No idea how I got nocardiosis . It’s rare .


19 posted on 07/31/2025 11:13:36 PM PDT by sushiman
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To: Salamander
Was it blu-ray?

I paid $80 for a new blu-ray Complete Monty Python series.

20 posted on 07/31/2025 11:14:58 PM PDT by Angelino97
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