Look, we’ve all been there. You’re on the sofa with a mug of tea, watching the BBC News at Six. One minute, you’re listening to Frank Gardner’s sharp, steady analysis of global security; the next one up is Elizabeth Rizzini, popping in to tell us whether we’ll need an umbrella or a coat for that morning commute. They’re so familiar from our living rooms; it’s only human to wonder about the life they lead when the cameras stop rolling.
The question everyone’s asking on social media and at dinner tables is this: Is Elizabeth Rizzini married to Frank Gardner?
So I’ve been tracking their story since it first came out, and if what you’re after is a snappy “yes” or “no”, the answer as of February 2026 is a definitive no. They aren’t married. But honestly? And the truth of their relationship is so much more captivating than a marriage certificate. It’s a story of survival, common interests and a very contemporary sort of partnership that doesn’t rush to the altar.
A Match Made in the Newsroom
The wild part is that they were able to keep this quiet for so long. For two people who work for the national broadcaster, they’re very good at protecting their privacy. They made their relationship public in 2020, but they had actually been dating for quite some time before the rest of us knew.
I remember when the news was trickling out. It was not a shiny magazine spread or a staged paparazzi shot. Instead, it was subtle. Elizabeth was in Frank’s deeply poignant BBC documentary, Being Frank, which aired last year.
That film gave us a brutal and unflinching portrayal of Frank’s life after the 2004 terror attack in Saudi Arabia that left him paralysed down one side. Seeing Elizabeth with him there in those quiet, intimate moments told us all we needed to know. It wasn’t just that they were colleagues; it was that they worked as a team.
Also Read – What Has Happened to Elizabeth Rizzini
Life as a “Power Couple”
They’ve been something of a fixture at high-profile British events since they went public. But here’s the thing, they do it by their own rules. You’re not going to see these guys chasing the spotlight at every local celebrity gathering. You’ll see them in places that truly matter to them, instead.
Take Wimbledon, for example. They are absolute regulars. I saw them in the stands during the 2024 and 2025 championships, relaxed through and through like any other couple basking in a summer afternoon of world-class tennis. And as recently as this past summer, they took a rare turn on the red carpet together in London for the European premiere of Twisters. And even then, they didn’t seem to be “posing” for cameras. They seemed like two people who really like and care for each other.
The Modern Family Dynamic
So if they’re not married, what is their life actually like? Well, it’s a bit of a juggling act, as we all can attest. Elizabeth lives in South London, where she has raised two daughters with her previous husband, the Italian presenter Marti Maraden.
I have always been fascinated by the way Elizabeth speaks about her home life. On social media, she’s frequently written posts about her “feline kingdom” and her guinea pigs, offering a glimpse into what appears to be a bustling, happy domestic life. Frank, for his part, has grown-up daughters of his own, Melissa and Rose (from a 22-year marriage to Amanda Sullivan).
Snapshot: The Rizzini-Gardner Journey
| Milestone | Date/Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First Public Link | October 2020 | Dating Confirmed |
| Documentary Appearance | Being Frank (2020) | On-screen support |
| Common Ground | BBC Broadcasting | Colleagues turned partners |
| Marriage Status | February 2026 | Not Married |
| Home Base | South London | Separate but shared lives |
It seems like they’ve figured out how to combine their lives without feeling the burden of conforming to traditional expectations. They split their time between each of their houses and the hectic world of the BBC and appear blissfully happy with how things are.
Why No Wedding Bells?
People are always like, Why is there no wedding? Seriously, in 2026, must they? They’ve both lived through marriage before, and they’ve both managed the challenges of public life and personal tragedy. Frank, especially, has been very vocal about the desire to just “move on” and enjoy life after all he’s been through.
There is a power in a relationship that doesn’t have to be labelled or validated. Whether they’re sitting through the GLOBSEC Forum or Elizabeth is impressing all of us by winning Celebrity Mastermind (her Celine Dion answers were really quite something, by the way), they are both so for each other visibly and consistently.
The Latest News and Looking Ahead
As we edge into 2026, both are as active as ever. Frank remains the BBC’s expert of choice when it comes to global threats, international diplomacy and everything in between. Elizabeth continues to be one of the most trusted and reliable faces in BBC Weather, hitting the headlines for her accurate and captivating broadcast on the extreme heatwaves affecting the Australian Open in January 2026.
Their status was last confirmed a mere few weeks ago in the new year — at a high-profile media event in London just days before the end of January 2026, when they were seen together once again.
They looked as solid as ever. But for those waiting for an “I do”, well, you might be waiting awhile. It’s clear that they love their separate lives as much as the life they share. It’s a very British, very low-key sort of love story.
Also Read – The 1974 British Stars Who Are Still Owning 2025
The Final Word
At the end of the day, the answer to the question ‘Is Elizabeth Rizzini married to Frank Gardner?’ is a simple ‘no’, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. They are a couple who have found happiness after difficult times, building a life that works for them and their families.
So next time you see them on your TV screen, just know that while they might not be husband and wife, they are clearly each other’s biggest fans. And honestly, isn’t that what really matters? I’ve always thought that the best relationships are the ones that don’t need to prove anything to anyone else. They’re just… well, they’re just Frank and Elizabeth. And that seems to be more than enough for them.
Don’t believe every rumour you read on X (formerly Twitter). Just because they’re a “power couple” doesn’t mean they’re headed for a white wedding. They’re just living their best lives, one forecast and one news report at a time.
Quick FAQs: Clearing the Air
Are Frank and Elizabeth still together?
Yes, they’re still very much a couple. They were spotted together as recently as late January 2026.
Who was Elizabeth Rizzini married to?
She was previously married to Italian TV presenter Marti Maraden, with whom she has two daughters.
Does Frank Gardner have children?
Yes, Frank has two daughters, Melissa and Rose, from his previous marriage to Amanda Sullivan.
Will they get married in 2026?
There’s no sign of a wedding. They seem perfectly happy as “long-term partners” without the official paperwork.
Sources and References
- Relationship Confirmation: The TV Room – Elizabeth Rizzini Profile – An authoritative breakdown of Elizabeth’s career and her public dating history with Frank Gardner since 2020.
- Biographical Facts: Wikipedia – Frank Gardner (Journalist) – Details his career, his previous marriage to Amanda Jane Pearson (1997–2019), and his current professional status in 2026.
- Public Appearances: Getty Images – Elizabeth Rizzini and Frank Gardner at the Twisters Premiere – Photographic evidence of their most recent high-profile red carpet outing in London.
- Sporting Events: IMAGO – Frank Gardner and Partner Elizabeth Rizzini at Wimbledon – Documentation of the couple attending major cultural events together as long-term partners.
- Charitable Work: Hospice in the Weald – Elizabeth Rizzini’s Mastermind Story – Information regarding Elizabeth’s recent Mastermind win and her personal family connections.
- Professional Updates: GLOBSEC Forum 2024 – Frank Gardner Speaker Bio – Confirmed information on Frank Gardner’s latest books and global security assignments.
