Cathy Rigby: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Cathy Rigby

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Right now and when I was pregnant and when my children were very young.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, August 2012 source ↗

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Gregg Wallace English broadcaster and writer

When I got married in 2016. I’d had a chance to practise three times before, so I was comfortable.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 April 2022 source ↗

Maggie Gyllenhaal American actress and filmmaker

The day after I got married.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2010 source ↗

Martin Freeman English actor

When I am in Italy with the family, not thinking about work.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 January 2019 source ↗

Garrison Keillor

The night my daughter was born, New York, December 29, 1997. After she emerged and I held her in the palm of my hand, I walked around Manhattan in a stupor of happiness.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2009 source ↗

More from Cathy Rigby

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Arrogance and a lack of respect for others.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, August 2012 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Procrastination ... getting overwhelmed ... getting stuck.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, August 2012 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

Making a gourmet dinner with my husband, Tom, then just hanging out with our four children, their spouses, and our delightful grandchildren.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 August 2012 source ↗

Question If you could alter one thing about yourself, what would it be? Identity & self

To be more outgoing. I love being home, but sometimes I feel guilty that I like it too much.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2012 source ↗

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