The accident happened on March 4 about a mile from Dame Jenni’s north London home, as she was driving along Wildwood Road adjacent to Hampstead Heath.
Today at the inquest into her death, north London area coroner Tony Murphy recorded ‘road traffic collision’ as his overall conclusion.
He read an extract from a statement from hospital consultant Dr Clare Morkane who cared for Dame Jenni and said: ‘Jennifer had been driving when she became dazzled by vehicle lights and collided with two stationary vehicles on Wildwood Road, NW11, around 7.44pm.
‘Following the collision, Jennifer was unable to recall the events. She exited the vehicle independently and was subsequently conveyed to hospital.’
Dame Jenni was a fearless advocate for women for over 50 years, writing in the Daily Mail with forthright common sense after three decades as host of BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour
Jenni Murray being made a Dame Commander by the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2011
At the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, Dame Jenni had a CT scan which revealed multiple fractures to ribs and her upper sternum, and a collapsed right lung. The following day she suffered respiratory failure and was moved to intensive care, said Dr Morkane, an intensive care consultant at the hospital.
In line with Dame Jenni's own wishes, and after discussions with her family, it was decided not to attempt CPR or other ‘invasive’ treatments if her condition worsened, and this ‘was agreed with all concerned’.
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Dame Jenni developed bronchopneumonia and her health deteriorated over the subsequent days. On March 10, following further discussions with her family, it was decided to focus on palliative treatment, meaning pain relief.
During the 20-minute hearing at Barnet Coroner’s Court, Mr Murphy said: ‘Jennifer died peacefully at the Royal Free Hospital on March 12, 2026 at approximately 3.45pm.’
He recorded her cause of death as bronchopneumonia caused by fractures to her rib and sternum sustained in the crash.
He said an investigation by the Metropolitan Police had been conducted and concluded with ‘no further action’.
Dame Jenni’s death was formally recorded under her full name of Jennifer Susan Forgham-Bailey, born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, on May 12, 1950.
Her husband, David Forgham-Bailey, attended the inquest remotely, via a video link.
Jenni Murray as a child in Barnsley. Dame Jenni’s death was formally recorded under her full name of Jennifer Susan Forgham-Bailey, born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, on May 12, 1950
Jenni Murray when she was made a Dame Commander during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2011
A cheerleader for a generation of British women, Dame Jenni’s three decades at the helm of Woman's Hour saw her navigate through a kaleidoscope of star names, women's issues and campaigns.
More recently, as a columnist for the Daily Mail, she wrote stoically about ageing - even filing her copy from a care home in 2023 while recovering from a spinal fracture after a fall, followed by a bout of pneumonia.
She was a reassuring voice for female listeners amid a sea of challenges - the balance between work and family, caring for elderly parents and carving out time for themselves – and in print she was a witty and insightful writer. She even wrote entertainingly about her own driving experiences in her beloved Mini Cooper.
Dame Jenni announced on Woman’s Hour in 2006 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and began raising awareness of the condition as vice-patron for Breast Cancer Now – a position she held for almost 20 years.
She was made a Dame in 2011 in recognition of her contribution to broadcasting.