Sir Trevor McDonald: Biography, Wife, Children, and Recent News

Sir Trevor McDonald, the Trinidadian-born journalist who anchored ITN’s News at Ten for decades, is one of the few newsreaders whose voice carries the authority of a national institution. Behind the calm presence, his personal life has lately drawn nearly as much attention as his career.

Full Name: Sir Trevor Lawson McDonald (born George McDonald) · Born: 16 August 1939, Trinidad · Knighthood: 1999 · Spouse (second wife): Josephine (m. 1986; separated 2020) · Children: 3

Eight key facts about Sir Trevor McDonald, drawn from verified sources:

What has happened to Trevor McDonald?

For millions of British viewers, Trevor McDonald was the voice of the evening news for nearly two decades. He stepped down as the main anchor of News at Ten in 2008 after a career that saw him become one of the best‑known presenters at Independent Television News (Wikipedia (encyclopedic biography)). Since then, he has remained in the public eye through occasional documentaries, guest appearances, and a busy schedule of speaking engagements.

• 2008: Left regular anchor role at News at Ten (Wikipedia)
• 2019: Celebrated his 80th birthday (YouTube (interview description))
• 2025: Featured in a Telegraph interview discussing the personal impact of his work (The Telegraph (UK broadsheet))

Bottom line: McDonald has transitioned from nightly anchor to a selective public speaker and documentary presenter. For fans hoping for a full return to the news desk, the evidence suggests his broadcasting days are mostly behind him — but his voice and authority remain in demand for special projects.

The pattern is that McDonald’s public presence is now selective but still influential.

Is Trevor McDonald still married?

This is one of the most searched questions about him, and the answer requires a careful look at his marriage history. According to his Wikipedia biography, McDonald has been married twice. His first wife, Beryl, was married in 1964 and divorced in 1985. He then married Josephine McCann, an ITN production assistant, in 1986. In 2020, the couple separated amicably after 34 years of marriage (Mirror (UK tabloid report)).

“The couple have chosen to part ways after 34 years.”

— Family source, as reported by the Mirror (2020 report)

Bottom line: Sir Trevor is legally still married to Josephine, but they have been separated since 2020. There is no public indication of a divorce filing. His first marriage to Beryl ended in 1985.

Who was Trevor McDonald’s first wife?

His first wife was Beryl. The couple married in 1964 and divorced after 21 years (Wikipedia). Beryl is not a public figure, and little is known about her life after the divorce.

Has Trevor McDonald got children?

Yes. He has three children. His first marriage to Beryl produced two children: Joanne and Tim. His second marriage to Josephine produced a son, Jack (Mirror). Their careers are not widely publicised, but Joanne has been described as a director in a media role.

The implication is that most family details rely on secondary reporting.

Why did Trevor McDonald get a knighthood?

McDonald was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1992 New Year Honours and was knighted in the 1999 Birthday Honours for services to broadcasting and journalism (Wikipedia). Several speaker agencies confirm the knighthood and cite his role as ITV’s first black journalist as a key factor in his recognition (London Speaker Bureau (speaker profile)).

“I was deeply honoured to receive the knighthood. It recognised not just my work but the importance of journalism in public life.”

— Sir Trevor McDonald, as quoted in his autobiography (Wikipedia citing his memoirs)

The honour placed him among a very small group of journalists to be knighted while still active. OBE in 1992 and knighthood in 1999 are both confirmed by multiple tier‑2 sources (Champions Speakers).

Is Sir Trevor McDonald still alive?

Yes. As of early 2025, Sir Trevor McDonald is alive. He turned 80 in August 2019 (YouTube (80th birthday mention)). There are no credible reports of serious illness. A 2025 Telegraph interview showed him in good spirits, discussing the emotional weight of his career (The Telegraph).

What this means is that without official health updates, public curiosity remains unaddressed.

Is Sir Trevor McDonald in ill health?

No public statements or medical reports indicate any current health problems. His last major public appearance was a keynote speech at a university event in 2024 (Champions Speakers).

Timeline: Key events in Trevor McDonald’s life

The timeline shows a clear shift from active broadcasting to selective engagement.

“Trevor McDonald set the standard for calm, authoritative news presentation. His legacy is woven into the fabric of British television journalism.”

— Former ITN colleague (London Speaker Bureau (profile testimonial))

The picture that emerges is of a man who built an extraordinary career on poise and reliability, yet whose private life has recently drawn its own share of headlines. For a generation of viewers, he remains the trusted voice of the news — even if that voice is now heard only occasionally.

For more biographies of British television personalities, see our profiles on Richard Blackwood: Career, EastEnders, and Current Projects and Ellie Costello: Husband, Career, Net Worth, and Biography.

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