Kelly Hoppen: What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

The question

What disappointment has stayed with you longest?

Originally asked

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

This exact question recurs in The Guardian's institutional Q&A pool.

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

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I had an opportunity many years ago to move to America and be given a daytime TV show. The kids were quite young and I decided not to, but looking back I wish I had done it.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 September 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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Arianna Huffington Greek and American businesswoman

I was crushed when my second book was rejected by 37 publishers.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 August 2013 source ↗

Josette Simon British actor

That my parents and my siblings were so shocked and appalled by my changing my path, from university to deciding to be an actor, that they have never seen anything I’ve done.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 April 2022 source ↗

Bryan Ferry British singer

Not receiving a dukedom.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 October 2010 source ↗

Bryan Cranston American actor

That I couldn’t bridge the gap with my parents before they died. My mother died 10 years ago of Alzheimer’s, and my father died two years ago. He left when I was 11 and we got back in touch when I was 22.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 October 2016 source ↗