Gordon Ramsay is renowned globally for his fiery presence in the kitchen. However, behind his fierce exterior is an "incredibly sensitive" and empathetic soul, his wife, Tana, revealed to People this week.
In an intimate glance into their life, Tana offers a glimpse of the softer side of the celebrated chef, showcasing a facet of his personality that fans seldom see.
The couple's love story traces back to when Tana was 18, a time "way before any of this happened," she reminisced. Despite Gordon's initially perceived arrogance – "he’s so arrogant," Tana recalled thinking when she first met him while dating one of his friends – the couple embarked on a love journey in 1996, having now enjoyed 26 years of marital bliss.
“He was always the one riling everyone up. In that respect, he has not changed at all. It’s just gotten more obvious," Tana candidly shared, adding a touch of humor to the narrative of their enduring relationship. She continues, “But at the same time, he is, believe it or not, incredibly sensitive—he’s a crier.”
This emotional depth and sensitivity, Tana reveals, have evolved with time and the growth of their family, which includes their children Megan, Jack, Holly, Matilda (“Tilly”), and Oscar. "When your kids get to a certain age and they start achieving what they really want to do, it’s a big deal. And he shows it," she said.
“It’s really nice to have everyone here,” Gordon would remark during their family dinners.
The foundation of their lasting and harmonious union, both Tana and Gordon attest, is anchored in strong communication and perpetual effort to create time for each other.
The pair cherish the candid moments they share, especially during “walks and hikes on weekends," and emphasizes the significance of friendship in marriage. "It sounds really cliché, but as long as you’re friends, as long as you kind of like each other, it’s going to be good," Tana said.
The family resides primarily in the borough of Wandsworth in London, interspersed with frequent travels to L.A., particularly during filming seasons, forging an amiable balance between their professional and personal lives.
"Gordon likes to phone about 25 times a day," Tana said, reflecting the constant connectivity and closeness shared by the couple.
"When it comes to our busy schedules, people say, ‘It must be hard having to be apart so often,’" she said. "It is, but I feel really lucky that I still get butterflies when we haven’t seen each other for a few weeks. I never want to take that for granted—even with all these kids to worry about. We have a lot of fun.”