Sir Sam Jonah opens up on grief, family and life after son's death

Business leader Sir Sam Jonah has said the loss of his son, Richard, has profoundly changed his outlook on life, making him more conscious of the importance of spending time with loved ones and appreciating everyday moments.

He said the experience had taught him to attach greater value to time with family and friends, particularly the danger of constantly postponing important moments in life.

“What I can say is that such a loss changes the weight you give to things. You become more conscious of the value of time with the people you love. You hear the words differently, ‘I will do it later’,” he said.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com on November 6, 2026, Sir Sam Jonah made the remarks while reflecting on his personal experience with grief at the 2026 TrueLife Experience, held under the theme, “The Audacity to Dare”.

He explained that the loss had made ordinary interactions, including conversations, shared meals and telephone calls, more meaningful, as he had become increasingly aware of the value of being present with those closest to him.

The business leader, who said much of his professional life had been spent planning for the future, noted that his experience had shifted his attention towards appreciating the present.

“I have spent much of my working life thinking about the future. Loss has made me more attentive to the present,” he said.

Reflecting on the death of his son, Sir Sam Jonah acknowledged that his influence and authority in the business world offered him no protection against the pain of losing a loved one.

“There are experiences in which the authority you exercise elsewhere offers you no protection. You cannot negotiate your way out of grief. You cannot summon the right people into a room and ask them to resolve it. You are a father who has lost his son,” he stated.

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He stressed that he did not intend to turn his son's life or death into a lesson for his audience, emphasising the personal nature of his loss.

“He is my son. I love him. I miss him,” he added.

Sir Sam Jonah also acknowledged the sacrifices made by his wife, Giselle, and their family throughout his demanding professional career.

He said frequent travels, long periods away from home and other executive responsibilities often placed additional demands on his family, sacrifices that were rarely captured in accounts of his professional achievements.

“My wife, Giselle, and our family have lived alongside the demands of my working life. An executive biography may record an appointment in a single line. At home, that appointment may mean more travel, more absence, more worry and more occasions when the family has to adjust.

“The biography records what the executive achieved. It rarely records what other people had to carry,” he indicated.

The 2026 TrueLife Experience brought together business executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, professionals and emerging leaders to share experiences and perspectives on courage, personal development and purposeful action.

MRA/BAI

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