Time & hindsight

When were you happiest?

585 answers answered between 1930 and 2026 one of 25 in The Q&A

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.

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On the record

Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

Read by field Everyone Science and medicine 4 Arts and letters 494 Politics and public life 38 Business and finance 19 Sport 30
Read by age Any age Before thirty 25 In their thirties 83 In their forties 113 In their fifties 109 In their sixties 100 Seventy and beyond 77
Order Earliest first Most recent Surprise me
Pamela Anderson Canadian-American actress and model
When Peta picked me to be on their first Times Square anti-fur billboard.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 January 2008 source ↗
Boy George British musician
I am relieved to say that I find it hard to answer such a question, because if I could it would suggest that my life has become dreary and empty.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 February 2008 source ↗
Emily Watson English actress
About half an hour ago, watching through the window as my dad and two-year-old daughter walked to the paper shop together.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 August 2008 source ↗
Ed Balls British broadcaster and politician
In a pool this summer with the children.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 November 2008 source ↗
Zoë Heller English journalist and novelist
Sending off the final draft of my latest novel.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 November 2008 source ↗
Sam Taylor-Wood British film director, artist and photographer
The two times I've been pregnant. With Jessie, I lay on a sofa and watched The West Wing for nine months.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 November 2008 source ↗
Harry Enfield English comedy actor and writer
An eight-hour walk along the north Cornwall coast with my eldest children - aged eight and 10. Whoever has eight hours of solid conversation with their children? I loved every minute.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 March 2009 source ↗
Alan Cumming Scottish actor, producer, director, writer and presenter
A couple of summers ago, walking through a forest illuminated by fireflies, with my man and our dogs.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 August 2009 source ↗
Steve Coogan British actor and comedian
I would like to say right now, but probably childhood – though even that may be wrong, so I'll say six weeks ago walking in the Lakes.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 January 2010 source ↗
Kirsty Young Scottish television radio presenter
Running down a hill in midsummer sunshine aged eight, singing ELO's Mr Blue Sky.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 January 2010 source ↗
Omid Djalili British stand-up comedian and actor
When my bowels move freely and without complications.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 August 2010 source ↗
Alexander Armstrong English actor, comedian, broadcaster and singer
Now. Although I am on tour and I will be deliriously happy when that finishes, because I'll be back home.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 November 2010 source ↗
Clare Balding English broadcaster, journalist, TV presenter and author
This may sound nauseating, but I am a very happy person. I love my work, I love my life and I'm told by those who know/love me that it's a bit like living with Tigger. Bloody annoying, I should think.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 January 2011 source ↗

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