Robert Peston, the prominent British journalist and broadcaster, has navigated a public career alongside a deeply personal and at times tumultuous romantic life. His journey through love has been marked by enduring connections, profound loss, and the courage to find happiness again. Central to his romantic history are his profound bond with late wife Siân Busby and his current relationship with journalist Charlotte Edwardes.
Peston's connection with Siân Busby was a lifelong one, tracing back to their teenage years. They first met when Siân was a school friend of Peston's sister, Juliet. Their relationship initially blossomed into a brief romance during their university days, with Peston attending Oxford and Busby studying at Sussex. However, this early chapter concluded when Peston relocated to Brussels for a job opportunity.
Years later, their paths reconnected under poignant circumstances. Siân had married and had a son, Simon, but her marriage had ended. The rekindling of their romance occurred in the mid-1990s, notably after Peston's sister Juliet was hospitalized following a car crash, bringing Siân back into his life. This second chance at love led to their marriage in 1998.
Their union was a significant period in Peston's life. They welcomed a son, Max, into the world the year before their marriage, and Peston embraced the role of stepfather to Siân's son, Simon. Siân Busby was an acclaimed writer, publishing five books, including the historical thriller McNaughten and A Commonplace Killing. Peston often spoke of his deep admiration and love for her, once famously defining love as "How I feel about my wife." Their home life, despite Peston's demanding career, was described as supportive, with Siân often having dinner ready for her "workaholic" husband.
Tragically, Siân Busby was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007, despite never having smoked. She bravely battled the illness for five years. Peston described the cancer as a "monster laying waste to our family," yet noted that Siân faced it with remarkable courage and continued to live life to the fullest. She completed her final novel, A Commonplace Killing, shortly before her passing. Siân Busby died in Peston's arms on September 4, 2012, at the age of 51, leaving Peston and their sons bereft. Her death was a profound loss, and Peston took a leave of absence from his BBC duties to grieve. He later spoke candidly about the immense pain of her loss, stating, "grief is a terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible thing."
After a period of intense grief and focusing on his sons, Robert Peston found love again. He began a relationship with journalist Charlotte Edwardes, the diary editor for the Evening Standard and a feature writer for The Times. The pair had known each other professionally for many years, having briefly worked at the Daily Telegraph at the same time and later meeting at a Christmas party. Peston was drawn to Edwardes because she was "not remotely interested in me as a widower or because of what I do for a living," a refreshing change from some of the attention he received after Siân's death.
Their relationship became public in October 2017, and they moved in together in 2018. Peston openly discussed the "desperate guilt" he initially felt about finding happiness again after Siân's passing, a feeling he worked through with a grief counsellor. He has embraced his role as a step-parent to Charlotte's three children, aged 10, 11, and 13 at the time they moved in together, acknowledging that it could be "complicated" but expressing enjoyment in the new family dynamic.
Since going public, Robert Peston and Charlotte Edwardes have maintained a relatively private relationship, though they have been pictured together at public events and share glimpses of their life, including acquiring a dog together in 2017. Peston has spoken about how Edwardes's lack of interest in his public persona was a key factor in their connection, allowing for a genuine bond to form. Their relationship signifies a new chapter in Peston's life, demonstrating his capacity for love and resilience in the face of profound personal loss. He continues to balance his high-profile media career with his personal life, now shared with Charlotte and their blended family.