Dame Prue Leith, renowned judge on the Great British Bake Off, has shared a deeply moving letter left by her late husband, Rayne Kruger, on his deathbed. The couple married in 1974, with Rayne being 20 years older than Prue. He passed away at the age of 80 in 2002, leaving a lasting impact on her life.
In a reflective piece for The Times, Prue described Rayne as the “most important influence” in her adult life. Rayne, a writer and property developer who was previously married to a friend of Prue’s mother when they met, was a steadfast supporter of her pursuits. He encouraged her efforts in building her catering empire, including Leith’s School of Food and Wine and her restaurant ventures.
Together, they raised two children: Daniel Kruger, a former Conservative MP, and Li-Da Kruger, a filmmaker. Prue painted Rayne as a relatively private man who found his greatest comfort in family and close friends.
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Recalling Rayne’s passing, Prue revealed how the letter he left her gave her strength during a dark time. The note urged her to “call on the courage I know you have to confront your new future with a level eye and find happiness in it.” Thanks to his words, Prue found the resilience to move forward and build a successful life in his memory.
In 2016, Prue remarried, tying the knot with retired clothes designer John Playfair, who is seven years her junior. Although they initially lived in separate homes, they have since built a modern house together on her farm in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire. Prue has shared that this new home is far more modest compared to the grand nine-bedroom manor house she once owned, mainly due to the high costs of upkeep.
She explained her decision to downsize, “Because the price of property in the Cotswolds has risen so much I could sell it, and with the money my children could each get a house, and I could build this one. It seemed silly not to do it.”
Offering a rare glimpse into her married life with John, Prue humorously revealed that their home includes a “banishment room” — a spare bedroom used when one of them’s snoring becomes unbearable to the other.
Prue’s television career began in the 1970s with a show aimed at homemakers. She later appeared as a judge on the Great British Menu before joining Bake Off in 2016, replacing Mary Berry alongside Paul Hollywood.
This year, she returns to ITV One with her new show, Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, where she’ll share recipes like herby pea pancakes with sauerkraut and showcase how to recreate expensive restaurant dishes at home. Meanwhile, John will explore rare breeds on Countryfile presenter Adam Henson’s Cotswold Park Farm, sharing insights into local farming.
Through both her personal experiences and professional career, Prue Leith continues to inspire audiences with her warmth, resilience, and culinary expertise.