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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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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
Hugh Dennis British comedian and actor
I am probably happiest now, but I have been happy at every stage of my life.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 February 2011 source ↗
Richard Hawley English musician
I've often reached the dizzying heights of ecstasy holding a pint of frothy seasonal ale in Fagan's pub, chatting away with Tom the landlord.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 February 2011 source ↗
Rob Lowe American actor
Any of the many times I have sat on my lawn with my wife, watching the boys play on a summer evening.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 August 2011 source ↗
Brett Anderson English singer
Right now. It's a beautiful thing to find yourself "the wrong side of 40" and more in love with life than ever. I never tell people this publicly as they wrongly assume the only valid creative state is that of the cliche of the tubercular, tortured artist coughing up blood in his garret.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 September 2011 source ↗
Joss Whedon American director, screenwriter, and producer
Filming Much Ado About Nothing. In my home, with my family and my besties and the bard all around. Pure joy.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 April 2012 source ↗

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