Viewers of BBC London’s weather forecasts have been asking the same question repeatedly: Is Elizabeth Rizzini still married? The popular meteorologist’s personal life has become a topic of intense curiosity, particularly regarding her relationship status. Let’s set the record straight with verified facts.
Direct Answer: No, Elizabeth Rizzini is not currently married. She was previously married to an Italian man but divorced in 2016. Since 2019, she has been in a relationship with Frank Gardner, BBC’s Security Correspondent, but they have not married.
Elizabeth Rizzini’s Marriage Status – Setting the Record Straight
Elizabeth Rizzini’s marital status is straightforward once you separate fact from speculation. The BBC weather presenter is not married and hasn’t been since her divorce nearly a decade ago.
Here’s what we know for certain:
| Status | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Marital Status | Not married (divorced since 2016) |
| Previous Marriage | Married to an Italian man (name undisclosed) |
| Divorce Year | 2016 |
| Current Relationship | Dating Frank Gardner since 2019 |
| Children | Two daughters from previous marriage |
| Youngest Child Born | 2014 |
The confusion stems from her long-term, highly visible relationship with Frank Gardner. Their strong bond and public appearances together have led many to assume they’re married—but they’re not.
Who Was Elizabeth Rizzini’s Ex-Husband?
Elizabeth was previously married to an Italian man whose identity has never been publicly disclosed. The former couple had two daughters together, with their youngest born in 2014.
The marriage ended in divorce in 2016, just two years after their second daughter was born. Both Elizabeth and her ex-husband have maintained strict privacy about their relationship, separation, and co-parenting arrangement.
What we know about her first marriage:
- Nationality: Her ex-husband was Italian
- Children: Two daughters (youngest born 2014)
- Divorce: Finalized in 2016
- Privacy: Neither party has spoken publicly about the marriage or split
- Co-parenting: Elizabeth maintains full privacy regarding her children
This level of discretion is admirable in an age where many public figures overshare. Elizabeth has successfully shielded her daughters from media attention while maintaining her high-profile career.
Who Is Frank Gardner? Elizabeth Rizzini’s Current Partner
Since 2019, Elizabeth has been in a relationship with Frank Gardner—and their love story is remarkable.
Frank Gardner’s Background
Frank Gardner is one of Britain’s most respected journalists:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Francis Rolleston Gardner |
| Age | 63 years old (born July 31, 1961) |
| Profession | BBC Security Correspondent |
| Specialty | War on Terror, Middle East coverage |
| Previous Marriage | Amanda Jane Pearson (1997-2019) |
| Children | Two daughters (Sasha and Melissa) |
| Notable Achievement | OBE for services to journalism (2005) |
The Al-Qaeda Attack That Changed Everything
On June 6, 2004, Frank Gardner’s life changed forever. While reporting on terrorist activity in Al-Suwaidi, a district of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he was ambushed by Al-Qaeda gunmen who shot him six times at point-blank range.
The brutal attack left him partially paralyzed from the waist down. One bullet struck his spinal nerves, confining him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Despite this devastating injury, Gardner returned to journalism and continued covering dangerous assignments worldwide—from Afghanistan to Colombia.
His resilience and determination to continue his career despite such severe disability has made him an inspiration to many.
How Elizabeth and Frank’s Love Story Began
Elizabeth and Frank first met in a lift at the BBC offices—a chance encounter that would blossom into a meaningful relationship.
Timeline of Their Relationship:
- 2019: First spotted together kissing at a pub in Putney, South London
- The sighting sparked initial rumors, as Frank was still married at the time
- 2019: Frank’s divorce from Amanda Pearson finalized after 22 years of marriage
- October 2020: Frank publicly confirmed the relationship in a Mail interview
- November 2020: Elizabeth appeared in Frank’s documentary “Being Frank: The Frank Gardner Story”
- 2024-2025: Still together, though not married
In his 2020 interview with the Daily Mail, Frank gushed about Elizabeth:
“I’m incredibly fortunate to have met a lovely person, the BBC weather presenter Elizabeth Rizzini. We first met in the lift at work. I’d always admired how she was on camera and the way she presents the weather in such an engaging way. She is wonderful company; it’s almost like having a first girlfriend.”
In the documentary, Elizabeth described Frank as “devastatingly handsome”—a comment she later admitted regretting, saying there’s “something a bit icky about people declaring their love to each other in public.”
Why People Keep Asking: “Is Elizabeth Rizzini Still Married?”
Several factors fuel the ongoing speculation about Elizabeth’s marital status:
1. The Strong Public Partnership Elizabeth and Frank’s relationship is highly visible. They attend events together, share photos on social media, and appear genuinely devoted to each other. Their chemistry often makes people assume they’re married.
2. Age Gap Curiosity Frank is 14 years older than Elizabeth (he’s 63, she’s 49), which some find noteworthy. But age has clearly been no barrier to their connection.
3. Confusing Headlines Many articles refer to Elizabeth as Frank’s “wife” or use ambiguous terms like “partner,” blurring the distinction between dating and marriage.
4. Previous Marriage Secrecy Because Elizabeth’s first marriage was so private, many people don’t even know she was married before—leading to confusion about her current status.
5. The Parasocial Effect Weather presenters appear in viewers’ homes daily, creating a sense of familiarity. People feel invested in Elizabeth’s happiness and naturally curious about her personal life.
What We Know (And Don’t Know) About Elizabeth’s Personal Life
Confirmed Facts:
- Born November 19, 1975 (age 49)
- Two daughters from previous marriage
- Divorced in 2016 from Italian ex-husband
- Dating Frank Gardner since 2019
- Lives in London area for work
- Fluent in Spanish and Italian
- Height: 5’5″ (165 cm)
- Met Office trained meteorologist
- Master’s degree in Environmental Journalism and Climate Change
What Remains Private:
- Ex-husband’s name and current relationship with him
- Daughters’ names and ages
- Specific custody arrangements
- Financial settlement from divorce
- Whether she plans to marry Frank
- Detailed timeline of her first marriage
This balance of openness and privacy reflects a healthy boundary that many public figures struggle to maintain.
Why Elizabeth Keeps Her Personal Life Private
Unlike some television personalities who document every moment on social media, Elizabeth has deliberately chosen privacy. Here’s why this matters:
1. Protecting Her Children
As a divorced mother, Elizabeth’s primary responsibility is to her daughters. By keeping them out of the spotlight, she:
- Prevents online harassment or bullying
- Allows them normal childhoods
- Avoids affecting their relationships with their father
- Protects them from unwanted media attention
2. Professional Credibility
Elizabeth built her reputation on meteorological expertise and climate communication—not personal drama. Mixing too much personal content could:
- Dilute her professional authority
- Distract from her scientific work
- Make her weather segments about her instead of the forecast
3. Respect for Frank’s Privacy
Frank Gardner has faced immense public scrutiny about his disability and recovery. Their relationship gives them both:
- A sense of normalcy away from cameras
- Space to support each other privately
- Freedom from constant commentary about their age gap or Frank’s wheelchair
4. Learning from Past Experience
Elizabeth’s first marriage collapsed privately, away from tabloid speculation. Having experienced divorce, she likely values:
- Keeping new relationships protected
- Not jinxing good things by over-publicizing them
- Maintaining control over her narrative
5. Personal Preference
Sometimes the simplest answer is correct: Elizabeth and Frank prefer privacy. That’s a valid choice that deserves respect.
Elizabeth Rizzini’s Career Continues to Thrive
While personal curiosity swirls, Elizabeth’s professional achievements remain impressive:
Current Role:
BBC London Chief Meteorologist and Weather Presenter Coverage Areas: BBC South East, Look East, BBC London Specialties:
- Astronomy and space weather
- Climate change communication
- Environmental journalism
Notable Appearances:
- The Sky at Night (BBC’s longest-running program)
- Newsround
- Antiques Roadshow
- BBC Radio (Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Northampton, Three Counties)
- 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon Media Presenter
- Regular Wimbledon coverage
Professional Achievements:
- Met Office certified meteorologist
- Master’s degree holder in Environmental Journalism and Climate Change
- Multilingual (fluent Spanish and Italian)
- Strong social media following focused on weather education
Elizabeth’s estimated net worth ranges from $900,000 to $5 million, with an annual salary between $25,000-$50,000 (though BBC salaries can vary significantly).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Elizabeth Rizzini and Frank Gardner engaged?
No public engagement has been announced as of early 2025.
How long have Elizabeth and Frank been together?
Since 2019—approximately six years.
Does Elizabeth Rizzini have children with Frank Gardner?
No. Elizabeth has two daughters from her previous marriage, and Frank has two daughters from his marriage to Amanda Pearson. They have no children together.
Why didn’t Elizabeth Rizzini and Frank Gardner get married yet?
Neither has publicly explained their decision. They may prefer their current arrangement, may have legal/financial reasons, or simply may not feel marriage is necessary for their commitment.
What happened to Elizabeth Rizzini’s first husband?
He maintains complete privacy and his identity has never been publicly disclosed.
