MURRAY Walker, the legendary Formula 1 commentator has died, aged 97. His unmistakeable voice and style made him what many saw as the voice of F1. Who is Murray Walker’s wife Elizabeth? Murray Walker married Elizabeth in 1959. Murray and Elizabeth lived for many years property in the Hampshire countryside. As Motorsport reported in 2011: […]
MURRAY Walker, the legendary Formula 1 commentator has died, aged 97.
His unmistakeable voice and style made him what many saw as the voice of F1.
Murray Walker married Elizabeth in 1959.
Murray and Elizabeth lived for many years property in the Hampshire countryside.
As Motorsport reported in 2011: “The house overflows with books, pictures and mementoes of a life’s dedication to motor sport.”
Cruise International described Elizabeth as “no shrinking violet, has a keen brain, and it was she who introduced cruising into their lives more than 40 years ago.”
The couple regularly went on cruises with Elizabeth telling the publication: “I’d already decided we weren’t having any more beach holidays where he would roast in the sun while I sat in the shade, bored, so I booked us on a cruise to the Canary Islands on Edinburgh Castle.
“He could lie in a soggy heap in the sun and I’d have something to do. That’s how it started, and we’ve been cruising ever since.”
Elizabeth picked up a love of cruise ships at an early age.
Her father worked in the Far East and the family would travel back to Britain on a P&O liner.
Murray paid a touching tribute to his wife in 2013 after he had been diagnosed with lymphoma, a blood cancer.
At the time he told the Daily Mail: “I am lucky that I have a steadfast, loyal, loving wife because if there is ever a time when you need a psychological prop this is it.
“Rather than someone rushing around the house in floods of tears, saying ‘Christ, he’s got cancer’, she is an immensely practical, sensible, down-to-earth woman.”
The long-married couple did not have any children.
The cause of death has not yet been revealed.
British Racing Drivers’ Club said: “It’s with great sadness we share the news of the passing of BRDC Associate Member Murray Walker OBE.
“A friend, a true motorsport legend, the nation’s favourite commentator and a contagious smile.
“We thank Murray for all he has done for our community. RIP our friend.”
“He was to so many of us fans of F1 the voice that epitomised the sport we love,” said Stuart Pringle, Silverstone managing director.
“Knowledgeable beyond words and with a passion that occasionally got the better of him in commentary, he brought the sport and some of its greatest moments to life in a way that ensured they remained seared in our memories for ever.”
His broadcasting career spanned more than 50 years for both the BBC and ITV.
He retired in 2001.
