Dame Jenni Murray died days after she crashed into two cars when she was ‘dazzled’ by headlights, an inquest has heard.
The 75-year-old broadcaster died on March 12, eight days after the collision in north London.
Best known for being the voice of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, Dame Jenni became the longest-serving presenter of the programme, having hosted for three decades.
At an inquest at Barnet Coroner’s Court on Thursday, north London area coroner Tony Murphy ruled that she died from bronchopneumonia, which was caused by fractures to her ribs and sternum in a crash.
Reading from a statement by Dr Clare Morkane, a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital, Mr Murphy said that Dame Jenni ‘had been driving when she became dazzled by vehicle lights and collided with two stationary vehicles.
‘Following the collision, Jennifer was unable to recall events, exited the vehicle independently and she was conveyed to hospital.’
The crash, which happened on Wildwood Road, next to Hampstead Heath, at around 7.44pm on March 4, left Dame Jenni with ‘multiple rib fractures’, a fracture to the upper sternum and a collapsed lung.
She was taken to hospital, where she was placed on non-invasive ventilation before being moved to intensive care.
However, she later developed bronchopneumonia before her condition deteriorated significantly on March 10.
At this time, a decision was then made to focus on palliative care.
Dr Morkane’s statement continued: ‘Jennifer died peacefully on 12 March 2026 at approximately 15.45 hours.’
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The Metropolitan Police investigated the collision but said that no further action will be taken after the case was closed.
Dame Jenni’s husband, David Forgham-Bailey, attended Thursday’s hearing via video link.
Following her death, former director-general of the BBC, Tim Davie, hailed her as a ‘broadcasting icon’.
