Jon Snow says becoming a dad in his 70s is not much different to being a grandparent because “in the end, it’s all love”.
The former Channel 4 newsreader and his wife Dr Precious Lunga have a son born in 2021.
In a rare insight into his home life, Jon, 75, said: “There are three very small people in my life – two grandsons, aged one and three, and a son.
“Tafara, who is two-going-on-five. He’s got his mum’s brain and my extrovert nature.
“I love how you can already have great conversations with him.
“Having him wasn’t easy but we persisted because, at 48, my wife is a good deal younger than me and she very much wanted and deserved a baby. When he was born, life felt complete.”
Speaking to Saga magazine, he added: “I’m completely at ease with late fatherhood. I don’t feel I’ll drop him. I don’t feel exhausted. I haven’t found age relevant to my relationship with my son or grandsons.
“Is being a grandad different to being a dad? Not really. In the end, it’s all love, isn’t it?” Jon and Precious revealed news of their baby in a statement in 2021.
Jon said: “In our desire to seal our now 11 years of marriage with a baby, my wife suffered numerous medical setbacks and miscarriages.
“Consequently, we will always be deeply grateful to our surrogate who carried our embryo to term.
“Amid these challenging times, we feel doubly blessed to be able to celebrate our good fortune.”
Jon married Precious, 27 years his junior, in 2010 in the Caribbean.
Discussing marriage in the interview, he said: “It feels like an anchor in an uncertain world where there are so many choices on offer.
“I find the stability that it brings so attractive and I love being married to Precious.”
He now has more time to spend with his wife and child having stepped back from daily TV work.
Jon quit his news anchor role after 32 years in December 2021. At the time he said: “After three incredible decades on Channel 4 News, it is time to move on. I am excited by the many things I want to accomplish but I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time with the programme.
“It has brought me adventure, as well as sorrow in some stories that I have had to report and also joy in others. Above all, it has brought me community in working with the most fantastic group of people bound in intellect, hum- our and understanding.
“Together, we have forged a wonderful service. I feel proud to have contributed to Channel 4 News let alone to have anchored it for 32 years. I look forward to new adventures and challenges.”
Jon has since launched his own podcast and fronted a two-part documentary on Channel 4 called How to Live to 100.
* Read the full interview with Jon in April’s Saga Magazine out now.
