Who is Barry Humphries' wife? Elizabeth Spender is the film and TV actress daughter of a famous poet
Barry Humphries is in hospital after suffering a 'serious' health setback after a hip replacement, but one of the constants in the Australian comedian's life is Elizabeth Spender, his fourth wife.
Barry, 89, a father-of-four, is known for playing character Dame Edna and has described himself as lucky after finding love with Elizabeth.
He told Reader's Digest: 'We've been married for over 30 years now. I have to thank Wife No. 2 for two daughters and Wife No. 3 for two sons.
'Between them, they've produced 10 grandchildren on whom I dote. But then I've become a lot smarter which is why this marriage has endured.'
He lives in London with Elizabeth, also known as Lizzie, but has been spending time in Australia, catching up with old friends like painter John Olsen.
As he remains in hospital, his devoted wife has reassured news publications that he is 'doing fine.'
Love: Barry, 89, a father-of-four, is known for playing character Dame Edna and has described himself as lucky after finding love with Elizabeth (pictured together in 2022)
Who is Elizabeth Spender?
Elizabeth, 73, is the film, television actress and writer daughter of concert pianist Natasha Spender and poet, novelist and essayist Sir Stephen Spender.
The actress was born in London and is the sister of sculptor Matthew Spender.
As a child, she spent every summer in Galway with American actress Anjelica Huston and her family and they remain friends to this day.
In 2012, she became an Australian citizen after living there for 24 years, attending a ceremony at Australia house in the Strand.
She and Barry spend half the year in Australia, living in Sydney together.
How did Barry and Elizabeth meet?
The couple first met in 1988 at a Groucho Club party and reconnected a few years later when he was separated from his third wife.
Barry called her when he was 'in a less married state' and they married in 1990.
Acting: Elizabeth, 73, (pictured with Barry in 2016) is the daughter of concert pianist Natasha Spender and poet, novelist and essayist Sir Stephen Spender
What is Lizzie's work history?
Before becoming an actress, Lizzie picked up a variety of jobs after abandoning her dream originally because she did not think she was the right fit for the business.
When she began her career, she explained that execs were looking for actresses of 'uniform height and weight'.
Instead of being an actress, she worked as a journalist for a teen magazine, interviewing a host of stars including Freddie Mercury.
But she left the industry, favouring writing fiction before working for Virgin under Richard Branson.
She did achieve her dream of going to drama school when she was older and attended at the same time as Pierce Brosnan.
Lizzie wrote the television series Hedgehog Wedding which was a success and also penned These Foolish Things, which was not so successful.
The star also featured in a host of films and televison shows, going on to write her memoir Wild Horse Diaries.
What television shows and films has Elizabeth acted in and written?
The actress has featured in and written a host of films and television shows.
They include Testament of Youth; Part 5: 1918 (1979), Feet First (1979), Over There Trudi (1979) and The Happy Autumn Fields (1980).
Also on the list are New Life (1982), Kelly Monteith (1982), Brazil (1985), The Mozart Inquest (1986) and Hedgehog Wedding (1987).
Others include The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1988), These Foolish Things (1989), Selling Hitler (1991) and The Leading Man (1997).
Together: Barry and Elizabeth first met in 1988 at a Groucho Club party and reconnected a few years later when he was separated from his third wife (pictured with Joan Collins in 2021)
