How To Fail With Elizabeth Day ON STARTING OVER AFTER GRIEF… With Stanley Tucci and Geri Halliwell-Horner
Mar 23, 2026
Stanley Tucci, actor and author, speaks candidly about losing his first wife and rebuilding family life. Geri Halliwell-Horner, former Spice Girl and author, reflects on losing her father young and how writing helped process long-held grief. They discuss grief, guilt, practical steps for raising children after loss, and how loss can shape ambition and renewal.
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Tucci's Choice To Leave Kate's Deathbed
- Stanley Tucci couldn't be present when his first wife Kate died and emotionally distanced himself days before to stay functional for their children.
- He watched friends and family manage the final moments from the patio while later feeling profound guilt and dreaming about Kate for years.
Create Structure And Hire Help After Grief
- Do build a practical support structure after loss by asking for help and hiring people who can run the household so children retain routine.
- Stanley kept his kids in therapy, surrounded them with friends and family, and paused work to stabilise their daily lives.
Grief Returns In Waves Even Years Later
- Grief doesn't stay contained; it 'kept hitting' Stanley intermittently, requiring private processing alongside parenting duties.
- He spoke to a therapist, cried alone after putting the kids to bed, and still finds objects and photos trigger breakdowns years later.