Veteran BBC Radio 4 star Dame Jenni Murray, 75, died after smashing into two cars when she was ‘dazzled by headlights’

A VETERAN BBC radio presenter died after she smashed into two cars when she was “dazzled by headlights”, an inquest heard. Dame Jenni Murray, who was best known as the voice of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, passed away on March 12 this year aged 75. Dame Jenni Murray died after crashing into two cars Credit: PA The broadcaster had hosted Women’s Hour for three decades Credit: PA An inquest heard the broadcaster had been driving on March 4 at around 7.44pm when she became “dazzled” by vehicle lights. Dame Jenni then collided with two stationary vehicles – causing “multiple rib fractures”, a fracture to the upper sternum and a collapsed lung. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Barnet Coroner’s Court heard she was taken to hospital, placed on non-invasive ventilation and moved to intensive care but developed bronchopneumonia. Dr Clare Morkane, a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital, said Dame Jenni’s condition deteriorated significantly and was she was placed on palliative care. She added: “Jennifer died peacefully on 12 March 2026 at approximately 15.45 hours.” Dame Jenni’s cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia caused by fractures to her rib and sternum fractures sustained in the crash. Dame Jenni interviews then-Prime Minister Tony Blair Credit: Getty The presenter became the longest-serving presenter in Women’s Hour history Credit: Getty She was made a Dame in 2011 in recognition of her contribution to broadcasting Credit: PA Dame Jenni and John Humphrys at BBC Portland Place for the first Today programme in 1987 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd The Metropolitan Police investigated the crash but later closed the probe with no further action. Dame Jenni hosted Women’s Hour for three decades and became the longest-serving presenter in its history. Most read in TV In 2006, she bravely announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and began raising awareness of the condition as vice-patron for Breast Cancer Now – a position she held for almost 20 years. She began her career in the industry in 1973 with a gig presenting local radio in Bristol. From there she went on to become a reporter and presenter for regional TV news programme, South Today, between 1978 and 1983. She later moved onto BBC Newsnight for two years as a newsreader and presenter before moving to BBC Radio 4 to present the Today programme. In 1987, she replaced Sue MacGregor on Woman’s Hour and hosted the programme for more than 30 years. Her final show was on October 1, 2020, – with Dame Jenni ending the programme with Helen Reddy’s I Am Woman. Paying tribute at the time of her death, Mohit Bakaya, controller, BBC Radio 4 and director of BBC speech audio, said: “Jenni Murray was a formidable voice in British broadcasting who was warm, fearless and beloved by listeners. “During her decades at Woman’s Hour, she helped shape the national conversation with intelligence, rigour and a remarkable ability to connect with audiences. “Jenni leaves an indelible legacy on generations of listeners. We are profoundly grateful for her outstanding contribution to Radio 4, and she will be deeply missed.”