The wife of the veteran actor Sir Patrick Stewart has spoken out for the first time since the news of his death broke last month.
Earlier this week, Sunny Ozell – a singer and songwriter in her own right – posted a black-and-white portrait of herself and her late husband on Instagram, telling her followers: “Today marks two weeks since Patrick passed, and the grief continues to come in waves. But I’ve also been experiencing such deep, profound gratitude.”
Sunny explained: “We left nothing unsaid. He knew I loved him, and I know he loved me.
“Patrick and I truly, authentically saw one another, and we amplified each other’s best qualities. We shared nearly two decades together, and we filled those years with so much living.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the public response to Patrick’s death, and while I’m not at all surprised that he touched so many, I’m sincerely moved by the outpouring of sadness and loss.” She added: “Thank you all for your condolences, they mean so, so much to me.
“My heart had to grow to contain my love for Patrick, and he changed me for the better, forever.”
The Star Trek and X-Men star died in late October at the end of 86, following what his family described as a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia”.
“He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter, and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all,” his family said in a joint statement.
“We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.”
Over the course of his lengthy career, Sir Patrick won two Oliviers, a Tony Award and a Grammy, as well as four Emmy nominations and a knighthood, which he received in 2010 for his services to drama.
He and Sunny had been married since 2013, and was a father to two children from his first marriage.
