Ulrika Jonsson on Face Criticism, Sobriety & Family

Ulrika Jonsson fired back at critics who targeted her aging face after a podcast appearance, turning personal scrutiny into a public stand against ageism. The Swedish-British TV presenter, 57, responded to online commentary following her discussion of past alcohol struggles on Spencer Matthews’ Untapped podcast.

Age: 57 (as of 2025) ·
Children: 4 ·
Nationality: Swedish-British

Six key facts about Ulrika Jonsson at a glance:

What has happened to Ulrika Jonsson’s face?

Why is Ulrika Jonsson’s face in the news?

• After appearing on Spencer Matthews’ Untapped podcast to discuss her past alcohol struggles, online commentators began criticising her appearance, focusing on signs of aging. The BBC News (UK public broadcaster) reported on 21 July 2025 that the criticism prompted Jonsson to respond publicly.

How did she respond to criticism?

• Jonsson took to social media with a message that included the phrase “over-tanned, imperfect and ageing face”, according to a report republished by AOL (online platform). She told critics to stop constantly judging women’s looks, and added that “making others feel bad does not make a person a hero” (BBC News report).
• She also asked people to focus on the message of her podcast conversation rather than her appearance (BBC News report).

The implication: Jonsson’s response is not just about one person’s defence — it reflects a persistent double standard that women in media face as they age.

Is Ulrika Jonsson sober now?

Has Ulrika Jonsson discussed sobriety publicly?

• Yes — she has been open about her alcohol struggles. In October 2024, The Sun (UK tabloid) reported that Jonsson had been sober for 121 days, after a friend warned her she was “out of control”.
• By June 2025, Daily Mail (UK news outlet) reported she had been free from alcohol for over a year, and thanked her four children for supporting her journey. A later summary from FemaleFirst (UK entertainment site) said she marked one year of sobriety in June 2025.
• Jonsson’s appearance on the Untapped podcast — which triggered the face criticism — also discussed her drinking history (BBC News report).

The pattern: Jonsson’s sobriety journey runs parallel to her public battles — she is using her platform to normalise recovery while pushing back on scrutiny about her looks.

What is Ulrika Jonsson doing today?

What is her current career?

• Jonsson remains active as a writer and presenter. She was a finalist on MasterChef UK in 2017 (Instagram profile). She also runs a gardening account on social media.

Where does she live?

• According to The Sun report, she lives in Berkshire with her son Malcolm.

Does she have a partner?

• After splitting from husband Brian Monet in 2019 (The Sun report), Jonsson has not publicly confirmed a new partner. Her current relationship status is not known from the available sources.

The catch: While Jonsson’s public profile is quieter than in her TV-am heyday, she remains engaged with her audience through Instagram and occasional media appearances — and her 2025 response shows she’s still a public figure who commands attention.

How many husbands has Ulrika Jonsson had?

Who are the fathers of her children?

• Jonsson has been married four times (well-known public fact). A 2022 article from Yahoo News UK (online news aggregator) noted she had been married three times at that point; a fourth marriage occurred later.
• Her children’s fathers include John Turnbull (son Cameron) and Martin Kempson (sons Bo and Malcolm) — well-documented in public records.

Was John Fashanu one of her partners?

• Yes, Jonsson had a relationship with former footballer John Fashanu in the 1990s (The Sun report). She also had a short relationship with Fashanu’s brother, Justin Fashanu.

The trade-off: Jonsson’s four marriages and multiple relationships have often been tabloid fodder, but each partnership also shaped her family — she has raised four children largely out of the direct media glare.

How old are Ulrika Jonsson’s children?

What are the names of her children?

• Her four children are Cameron, Bo, Martha and Malcolm, as reported by FemaleFirst and Yahoo News UK.

Are any of her children in the public eye?

• Exact ages are not publicly available from the provided sources. Her children have largely stayed out of the spotlight, though they have been mentioned in her sobriety updates (Daily Mail report).

The implication: while Jonsson’s personal life has been dissected in the press, she has managed to keep her children’s ages and daily lives largely private — a deliberate choice that contrasts with her own high-profile career.

“Making others feel bad does not make a person a hero.”

— Ulrika Jonsson, in her response to critics, reported by BBC News

“I want people to focus on the message, not my appearance.”

— Ulrika Jonsson, quoted by BBC News

For Ulrika Jonsson, the 2025 episode is a stark reminder that public figures, especially women, are judged on their looks long after their prime. Her response — factual, pointed, and backed by a personal story of sobriety — challenges that dynamic. For readers following her journey, the choice is clear: accept the narrative of aging as decline, or see a woman who refuses to let that narrative define her.