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Donna Hay: Biography, Age, Relationship, and Career

Oliver Lachlan Thompson Williams • 2026-07-13 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

Few Australian food personalities have built as loyal a following as Donna Hay, a cookbook author and television host whose simple, elegant recipes have sold millions of copies worldwide. She is also a mother of two, a recent divorcee, and the star of a brand-new Disney+ series filmed along Sydney’s coastline.

Age: 55 (born 28 January 1970) ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Children: 2 ·
Books sold: Over 6 million ·
Marital status: Divorced, currently in a relationship ·
Latest TV series: Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations (Disney+, 2025)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact ages of her children (not publicly disclosed)
  • Name of her former husband (not publicly confirmed)
  • Exact date of her divorce from Bill Wilson
  • Name of her new boyfriend (not publicly confirmed)
3Timeline signal
  • 1970 – Born in Sydney, Australia (Donna Hay official biography)
  • 2001 – Launched donna hay magazine (Donna Hay official biography)
  • 2015 – Separated from husband Bill Wilson (Now To Love report)
  • 2025 – New series on Disney+ (Donna Hay official biography)
4What’s next
  • New relationship and public appearances
  • Continued cookbook releases
  • Potential expansion of her TV brand

Nine key facts about Donna Hay, one pattern: her career has been built on a foundation of trusted, simple cooking that resonates across generations.

Label Value
Full Name Donna Hay
Birth Date 28 January 1970
Age 55 (as of 2025)
Nationality Australian
Occupation Food stylist, author, magazine editor, television presenter
Number of Children 2
Marital Status Divorced, currently in a relationship
Books Sold Over 6 million
Notable TV Shows Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations, MasterChef Australia (guest), Saturday Kitchen

Is Donna Hay still married?

Does Donna Hay have a partner?

Donna Hay is no longer married. According to a 2025 profile by Now To Love (Australian lifestyle publication), she separated from her husband Bill Wilson in 2015. Hay has said of the separation: “It’s not what defines me” and “There’s no affair, it just happened.” As of 2024, she is reported to be in a new relationship, though the name of her new partner has not been publicly confirmed.

The trade-off

Donna Hay has chosen to keep her romantic life private after her marriage ended, sharing only that the split was amicable and not driven by scandal. For fans, this means personal details remain scarce – but it also protects her children from public scrutiny.

The implication: Hay’s public image now rests entirely on her work rather than her personal narrative, a deliberate shift that allows her brand to evolve independently of her marital history.

Who is Donna Hay’s new boyfriend?

The identity of Donna Hay’s new boyfriend has not been confirmed by any official source. The Now To Love report from 2024 noted that she was seen out with a new partner, but deliberately avoided naming him. Hay has not publicly commented on the relationship.

How many kids does Donna Hay have?

How old are Donna Hay’s children?

Donna Hay has two sons, Tom and Angus, according to Now To Love. Their exact ages are not publicly disclosed, but in a 2019 interview Hay described them as “typical teenage boys,” suggesting they were teenagers at that time. By 2025, they are likely young adults. Hay has occasionally shared family moments on social media without revealing precise ages.

  • Her official biography describes her as a “mum of two boys” (Donna Hay official biography)
  • In 2019, she said her sons often cooked for themselves and hung out in the kitchen while she cooked (Now To Love)
Bottom line: Donna Hay keeps her sons’ exact ages private to give them a normal upbringing away from the media spotlight, meaning fans get glimpses of her family life but never full details.

What nationality is Donna Hay?

How old is Donna Hay?

Donna Hay is Australian, born in Sydney, New South Wales, according to her official biography. Her birth date is 28 January 1970, making her 55 years old as of 2025. She is widely regarded as an Australian food media icon.

Her nationality is never in question, but her global reach is significant: her cookbooks have been translated into 10 languages (Donna Hay official biography).

How did Donna Hay get famous?

Was Donna Hay on MasterChef?

Donna Hay’s career began when she was 19 as a food stylist. She later became food editor of marie claire at age 25. In 2001, she launched donna hay magazine, which she edited for 100 issues before it closed in July 2018 (Donna Hay official biography; Now To Love).

She has authored more than 26 cookbooks, selling over 6 million copies worldwide. A 2025 profile noted she is best known for 27 cookbooks, while her official site says 28 – a minor discrepancy reflecting the pace of her output (Now To Love).

Donna Hay appeared on MasterChef Australia as a guest judge, not as a contestant. Her television career also includes hosting Donna Hay: The Cook and appearances on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen.

“I started as a food stylist, then I launched a magazine, and the books followed.”

— Donna Hay, via Donna Hay official biography

Why this matters

Donna Hay’s fame was built on a consistent, authentic brand: simple, beautiful food that anyone can cook. Her ability to move from print to TV to digital without losing her audience is rare in the food media world.

What is Donna Hay’s latest TV series?

Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations recipes

Her latest TV series is Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations, streaming on Disney+ from 2025. The series was filmed along Sydney’s coastline and features recipes designed for entertaining. Her official website (donnahay.com.au) offers many of the recipes from the series, including seafood platters, summer salads, and easy desserts.

Donna Hay Saturday Kitchen

She has also appeared on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen as a guest chef, showcasing her approachable style to a UK audience.

Donna Hay received the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for service to the Australian food and hospitality sector (Donna Hay official biography).

The pattern: each new platform extends her core message rather than rebranding it, a strategy that keeps longtime readers loyal while drawing in new audiences via streaming.

Timeline

  • – Born in Sydney, Australia (Donna Hay official biography).
  • – Began career as a food stylist and recipe developer (Donna Hay official biography).
  • – Launched donna hay magazine (Donna Hay official biography).
  • – Published multiple best-selling cookbooks; became a household name in Australia (Donna Hay official biography).
  • – Appeared as guest judge on MasterChef Australia; hosted cooking shows (Donna Hay official biography).
  • – Separated from husband Bill Wilson (Now To Love).
  • – Received Medal of the Order of Australia (Donna Hay official biography).
  • – Reported to be in a new relationship (Now To Love).
  • – Launched Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations on Disney+ (Donna Hay official biography).

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Donna Hay was born on 28 January 1970 in Australia (Donna Hay official biography).
  • She has two sons, Tom and Angus (Now To Love).
  • She separated from Bill Wilson in 2015 (Now To Love).
  • She has sold over 6 million cookbooks (Donna Hay official biography).
  • She was a guest judge on MasterChef Australia (Donna Hay official biography).
  • Her new TV series Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations is streaming on Disney+ (Donna Hay official biography).

What’s unclear

  • Exact ages of her children.
  • The name of her former husband (not publicly confirmed).
  • The exact date of her divorce.
  • The name of her new boyfriend.

Chef Donna Hay steps out with new boyfriend.

— Now To Love (Australian lifestyle publication), 2024

I started as a food stylist, then I launched a magazine, and the books followed.

— Donna Hay, via Donna Hay official biography

The implication for Donna Hay’s fans: her personal life is now more private than ever, but her professional output remains strong. With a new TV series, a steady stream of cookbooks, and a growing international audience, her career is entering a new chapter – one that is no longer defined by her marriage. For the curious reader, the key takeaway is that Donna Hay remains a deeply influential figure in food media, even as she navigates a quieter personal life. Her next move — whether another cookbook or a streaming expansion — will come entirely on her own terms.

Frequently asked questions

What is Donna Hay’s net worth?

Donna Hay’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, but her cookbook sales (over 6 million copies) and TV deals suggest a multi-million dollar fortune.

Does Donna Hay have a cooking show?

Yes, her latest series Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations is streaming on Disney+ from 2025. She has also hosted Donna Hay: The Cook and appeared on Saturday Kitchen.

What is Donna Hay’s most famous recipe?

While she is known for many recipes, her simple lemon tart, roast chicken, and seafood platters are among her most popular. Her official website donnahay.com.au features hundreds of recipes.

Where can I buy Donna Hay’s books?

Her cookbooks are available at major bookstores (Amazon, Booktopia, Dymocks) and on her official website.

Is Donna Hay on Instagram?

Yes, Donna Hay is active on Instagram under the handle @donnahay, where she shares recipes, behind-the-scenes content, and family moments.

Has Donna Hay won any awards?

Yes, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2022 and was named one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cookbook authors at the Gourmand Awards in 2007.

What is Donna Hay’s educational background?

Donna Hay has not publicly detailed her formal education, but she began her career as a food stylist at age 19, learning on the job.

How did Donna Hay start her career?

She started as a food stylist at 19, became food editor of marie claire at 25, and launched her own magazine in 2001.



Oliver Lachlan Thompson Williams

About the author

Oliver Lachlan Thompson Williams

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.