Journalist Jon Snow launched his broadcasting career in the early 1970s, presenting on LBC Radio.
Though he joined ITN three years later, in 1989, he transferred to Channel 4 News, where he remained a fixture for 32 years before announcing his retirement in 2021.
However, this weekend (June 20), Channel 4 viewers will see him back on screen as he presents a new feature-length documentary, Jon Snow: A Last Big Story.
It follows the 78-year-old and his wife, Dr Precious Lunga, as they grapple with Jon’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, which he received in 2023.
We’re examining the legendary broadcaster’s life away from the spotlight ahead of his final major documentary, reports the Liverpool Echo.
View 3 ImagesJon and his wife Dr Precious Lunga welcomed a son in 2021 (Image: Getty Images)
The presenter initially became a father when he had two children with his previous partner of 35 years, Madeleine Colvin. Though they are now well into adulthood, Jon became a dad once more for the first time at 73 with his wife, who is 27 years his junior.
They welcomed a boy called Tafara into the world via surrogate in 2021, as Jon explained that his wife ‘very much wanted and deserved a baby’.
Speaking about becoming a father at 73, he told the Saga Exceptional publication: “When he was born, life felt complete. I’m at complete 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?”
View 3 ImagesPresenter Jon Snow has revealed he has Alzheimer’s disease(Image: David M. Benett/Getty Images)
Jon recently disclosed that he had been battling Alzheimer’s for the previous four years. In conversation with the Daily Mail, his wife revealed that 10 months following his departure from Channel 4, he awoke and informed her that he was running late for work.
At first, the seasoned broadcaster was hesitant to consult a doctor, maintaining there was nothing amiss. Yet, following a brain scan, it emerged that Jon had Alzheimer’s disease.
Reflecting on his diagnosis in the forthcoming Channel 4 film, Jon said: “At the beginning, I wanted to hide it, there’s so much prejudice. Any sort of hint of mental decay, you’re sort of dead.
“There are moments when it pops up, but it’s not an all-day, every-day condition, and that’s what I cling onto. I’ve witnessed a great deal, I hope I’ve learned something – but I’ve still got a huge amount to learn. We all have. There’s still more to do.”
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Jon Snow: A Last Big StoryJon Snow: A Last Big Story airs on Channel 4 on Saturday June 20 at 8pm.