Elizabeth Rizzini Biography: Age, Height, Disability, Net Worth, Husband

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Elizabeth Rizzini is a prominent British broadcast meteorologist, journalist, and television presenter best known for her engaging weather forecasts on the BBC. With a career spanning over a decade in public broadcasting, Rizzini has become a familiar face on both regional and national platforms, blending her expertise in meteorology with a passion for environmental journalism, astronomy, and space weather.

Her multilingual skills, athletic pursuits, and commitment to charity underscore a multifaceted life that extends far beyond the studio green screen.

Elizabeth Rizzini Date of Birth & Age

Elizabeth Rizzini Age

Elizabeth Rizzini was born on November 19, 1975, in London, England—specifically in the Bexley area, though she was raised in the bustling Croydon neighborhood of South London. This places her at 49 years old as of November 12, 2025, with her upcoming 50th birthday just a week away.

Zodiac Sign & Personality

Her Scorpio zodiac sign is often linked to traits like passion, resourcefulness, and a deep determination, qualities that shine through in her resilient broadcasting career and personal endeavors.

Growing up in a multicultural environment, Rizzini credits her early exposure to diverse cultures for shaping her worldview, including regular visits to extended family on the Isle of Wight, where she finds solace amid the island’s scenic landscapes.

Elizabeth Rizzini Height, Weight

Elizabeth Rizzini Height

At approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and weighing around 121 pounds (55 kg), Elizabeth Rizzini embodies an athletic and vibrant physique honed by her dedication to running and tennis.

Rizzini’s active lifestyle, free from any personal health challenges, allows her to maintain this fit form, as evidenced by her completion of demanding endurance events like marathons.

Elizabeth Rizzini Body Measurements

Elizabeth Rizzini Body Measurements

Unverified sources occasionally cite her body measurements as 34-24-34 inches, but these details are not officially confirmed and take a backseat to her professional charisma. With expressive brown eyes and dark brown hair, she often appears on screen in floral dresses that add a touch of elegance to her forecasts— a personal style choice she has playfully acknowledged in interviews. 

Early Life & Education

Elizabeth Rizzini’s childhood in Croydon was enriched by international adventures that broadened her horizons from a young age. She spent significant periods living and studying abroad in France and Spain, including several formative years based in Madrid, where she immersed herself in the local culture and language.

This expatriate experience not only fostered her fluency in multiple languages but also sparked an early interest in environmental issues, influenced by the diverse climates she encountered.

Upon returning to the UK, Rizzini channeled her global perspective into academia. She pursued and completed a Master’s degree in Journalism at the University of Westminster, with a specialization in environmental journalism and climate change—a prescient focus given today’s global conversations on sustainability.

Her academic journey culminated in hands-on meteorological training with the Met Office, the United Kingdom’s national weather service, beginning around 2008-2009. This rigorous program equipped her with the technical expertise needed for broadcast meteorology.

Notably, her very first broadcasting role involved producing and presenting a bilingual report on jellyfish infestations for Spanish coastal resorts, blending her linguistic skills with emerging weather reporting talents.

Elizabeth Rizzini Career

Early Career

Rizzini’s professional ascent was swift and strategic. After her Met Office training in 2008-2009, she made her television debut in November 2010 as a weather presenter on the regional program BBC South East Today. This initial role allowed her to refine her on-air presence, delivering concise yet engaging forecasts that highlighted her natural poise and enthusiasm.

Trained by broadcasting legends like Michael Fish—who famously advised her to “first, look out the window”—and Carol Kirkwood, Rizzini quickly adapted to the high-stakes world of live television, setting the stage for broader opportunities.

Elizabeth Rizzini’s Work with the BBC

Elizabeth Rizzini BBC Work

Rizzini’s BBC career is a tapestry of versatility, spanning regional, national, and international platforms since her early days. She expanded to BBC London around 2011, later contributing to Points West and BBC Look East circa 2019. Her international debut came in 2011 on BBC World, followed by radio appearances on BBC Radio 5 Live (deputizing for Simon King in 2019) and BBC Radio 4 (including a forecast on June 25, 2022).

National television milestones include her BBC News at Six debut on December 30, 2019; BBC News at One with Reeta Chakrabarti on June 14, 2022; and BBC News at Ten on October 29, 2023. Today, she regularly presents forecasts on BBC One, working alongside colleagues like Wendy Hurrell and Kate Kinsella for morning and lunchtime slots on BBC South East and Look East.

A hallmark of her work is her passion for space weather and astronomy. She produced and presented weekly “stargazer” forecasts for BBC The Sky at Night and BBC Weather, as well as segments for Weather World. One viral moment came in 2018 when her forecast on the Mars rover landing was featured on Channel 4’s Gogglebox, drawing praise for its infectious excitement.

Beyond meteorology, Rizzini has diversified into children’s programming with Newsround on CBBC and lifestyle features for The Antiques Roadshow on BBC One. She frequently broadcasts live from Wimbledon during the tournament—her self-proclaimed favorite time of year—infusing sports coverage with timely weather insights.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rizzini adapted to remote broadcasting from home, facing unique challenges like managing family interruptions. Her youngest daughter made a cameo on BBC Radio 5 Live waving to host Nicky Campbell, while her guinea pigs “contributed” to a BBC Radio Suffolk segment, and her cat Louis purred during an interview with Vanessa Feltz.

These lighthearted anecdotes humanized her work amid global uncertainty. In a 2021 interview, she expressed ambition for national promotion, noting the “difficult” transition from regional roles but emphasizing her eagerness to “get noticed” on bigger stages.

Other Work & Activities

Rizzini’s commitment to philanthropy underscores her grounded persona. In September 2015, she ran the Great North Run to raise funds for Save the Children, followed by the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon as a media presenter alongside international journalists, supporting both Save the Children and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

She routinely collects clothes and toiletries for refugee charities, reflecting her environmental and humanitarian ethos. Occasional guest spots on BBC Radio and judging roles at charity events further extend her influence, blending her expertise with community impact.

Elizabeth Rizzini Disability

Elizabeth Rizzini Disability

Elizabeth Rizzini maintains an active, able-bodied lifestyle with no personal disabilities documented in public records. Misconceptions occasionally arise due to her partner Frank Gardner’s mobility challenges, but Rizzini herself is frequently highlighted for her physical prowess—such as completing marathons and pursuing tennis.

Her fitness routine not only supports her on-screen energy but also serves as inspiration in her charitable runs.

Elizabeth Rizzini Net Worth

Elizabeth Rizzini Net Worth

Drawing from her established BBC tenure, endorsements, and freelance media work, Elizabeth Rizzini’s net worth is estimated at £1 million (approximately $1.3 million USD) to $5 million as of 2025.

This range reflects a comfortable mid-six-figure annual salary from public broadcasting, supplemented by charity events and occasional voiceovers, though she maintains a low-key financial profile.

Elizabeth Rizzini Family and Kids

Rizzini is a devoted mother to two daughters from her previous marriage to an unnamed Italian husband, which ended in divorce around 2016. The couple’s youngest child, a girl, was born in 2014, and Rizzini fiercely protects their privacy, keeping them out of the public eye while describing motherhood as her role as “supermum” and a “superb plate-spinner.”

The family shares their South London home with two cats (including the affable Louis) and two guinea pigs, who have charmingly photobombed her broadcasts and radio appearances.

Elizabeth Rizzini & Frank Gardner

Elizabeth Rizzini with Frank Gardner

Since approximately 2019—sparked by a chance meeting in a BBC lift—Rizzini has been in a loving relationship with Frank Gardner, the BBC’s Security Correspondent. The couple, who live together, are not married but share a deep bond often mistaken for wedded bliss due to their affectionate public chemistry.

They were spotted kissing in a Putney pub like “teenagers,” and Rizzini once called Gardner “devastatingly handsome” in his 2021 BBC Two documentary Being Frank: The Frank Gardner Story, where she openly discussed their partnership—though she later admitted embarrassment over the public declaration of love.

Gardner, previously married to Amanda Pearson for 22 years (ending amicably in 2018) with daughters Sasha and Melissa, endured a life-altering 2004 Al Qaeda attack in Saudi Arabia that killed his cameraman Simon Cumbers and left him paralyzed from the hips down after 14 surgeries.

Despite using a wheelchair, a colostomy bag, and a suprapubic catheter, he remains active, driving, skiing, scuba-diving, and cycling. Rizzini has praised his resilience, noting how their relationship fosters mutual support.

Notable Work & Highlights

Rizzini’s career boasts several standout moments that blend innovation with accessibility. Her 2018 Mars rover forecast’s Gogglebox feature captured her ability to make science fun, while live Wimbledon presentations during “fortnight” have become annual highlights, syncing weather with tennis drama.

The 2021 Gardner documentary not only humanized disability but also showcased Rizzini’s empathetic storytelling, raising awareness about trauma recovery. Her proudest achievement? Crossing the finish line of the 2016 London Marathon, a grueling 26.2 miles that tested her limits for charity. Recent endeavors include a January 2025 YouTube video for Hospice in the Weald, where she shared her story to support the cause, reinforcing her role as a broadcaster with heart.

Personal Interests & Hobbies

A polyglot at heart, Rizzini is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and French, skills that trace back to her Madrid days and enable nuanced global reporting. Her passions extend to sports—she’s a Wimbledon “wannabe” who adores tennis for its strategy and serves as an on-site forecaster—and running, which doubles as therapy and fundraising.

Astronomy captivates her, fueling those starry-eyed Sky at Night segments, while her love for animals shines through her pet-filled home (expect more purrs on radio). Social media offers glimpses: on Instagram (@elizabethrizzini), she posts as “Weather bore, 🖤 mama,” and on X (@lizzieweather), she engages as a “Cat lady” with over 16,000 followers. Environmentally conscious from her studies, she subtly advocates for climate action, all while cherishing quiet family time.

Summary

Elizabeth Rizzini exemplifies the modern broadcaster: a Met Office-trained meteorologist with a Master’s in environmental journalism, whose BBC journey—from 2010 regional debuts to 2023 national staples—interweaves weather wisdom, astronomical wonder, and heartfelt storytelling.

Fluent in four languages, a marathon-finishing philanthropist, and a supportive partner to Frank Gardner, she balances high-profile forecasts with private joys as a mother in South London. At 49, Rizzini’s trajectory—from jellyfish reports to Mars landings—continues to illuminate screens and lives, proving that clear skies (and storms) are best navigated with curiosity, kindness, and a dash of Scorpio intensity.

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