Australian broadcaster, journalist, and former senator Derryn Hinch was widely known for his outspoken opinions and decades-long media career. Alongside his professional achievements, his personal life also attracted public attention, particularly his marriages and long-term relationships.
Although Derryn Hinch was not legally married during the final years of his life, he shared a committed relationship with animal rights advocate Lynda Stoner. Before that, he had been married five times to four different women, with each relationship representing a different stage of his life.
Here’s a closer look at Derryn Hinch’s wife, former spouses, and the woman who stood beside him in his later years.
Final Partner
At the time of his passing in July 2026, Derryn Hinch was in a long-term relationship with Lynda Stoner.
Their story was unusual because it began decades earlier. The pair first dated during the early 1980s before eventually going their separate ways. Years later, they rekindled their relationship in 2016 and remained together for the next decade.
Lynda Stoner is well known in Australia as an animal rights advocate and former actress. Throughout their relationship, the couple frequently appeared together at public events while maintaining a relatively private home life.
Their renewed romance became one of the most stable chapters of Hinch’s personal life.
First Marriage
Derryn Hinch’s first wife was Lana Wells, who worked as an editor.
The marriage took place during the early years of his journalism career. Although their relationship eventually ended in divorce, it marked the beginning of a personal life that would often draw media attention alongside his professional work.
Despite their separation, Lana Wells remained an important part of Hinch’s early life story.
Second Marriage
Following his first divorce, Hinch married Eve Carpenter.
Carpenter worked as a flight attendant, and the couple spent several years together before deciding to end their marriage.
Like many aspects of Hinch’s life, the relationship unfolded while his media profile continued to grow across Australia.
Marriage to Jacki Weaver
One of Derryn Hinch’s most recognized relationships was with acclaimed Australian actress Jacki Weaver.
The pair first married in 1983 and remained together for more than a decade before divorcing in 1996.
Their story did not end there. In 1997, they surprised many by remarrying each other. However, the reunion lasted only about a year before they separated once again.
Their relationship remains one of the most talked-about chapters in both of their personal histories because they chose to give marriage a second chance after their initial divorce.
Even after their marriage ended, both continued to enjoy successful careers in their respective fields.
Final Marriage
Hinch’s final legal wife was Chanel Hayton.
The couple married in February 2006 and remained together for several years before separating in late 2012.
Although the marriage came to an end, it was his last formal marriage. He did not remarry afterward.
Instead, several years later, he reunited with Lynda Stoner, with whom he shared his remaining years.
Relationship With Lynda Stoner
The reunion between Derryn Hinch and Lynda Stoner demonstrated how relationships can come full circle.
Having first known each other decades earlier, they reconnected after both had experienced significant changes in their lives.
Friends often described them as supportive companions who enjoyed spending time together while sharing a love for animals and public advocacy.
Their relationship lasted from 2016 until Hinch’s passing in 2026, making it one of the longest continuous partnerships of his later life.
A Life Beyond Marriage
While Derryn Hinch’s relationships often attracted headlines, they represented only one part of a remarkable career.
He became one of Australia’s most recognizable media personalities through television, radio, and newspaper journalism before later entering politics.
As the founder of the Justice Party, he served as a senator, focusing on issues involving public safety, victims’ rights, and government accountability.
His direct communication style earned both loyal supporters and outspoken critics, ensuring he remained a prominent figure in Australian public life for decades.
Why His Relationships Drew Attention
Because Hinch spent so many years in the public eye, interest in his family life naturally followed.
Each marriage reflected a different period of his career, from his early journalism days to his years as a television presenter and later as a politician.
His relationship with Jacki Weaver attracted widespread media coverage because both were well-known public figures, while his reunion with Lynda Stoner became a story of reconnecting after many years apart.
Despite public interest, Hinch generally preferred to keep the details of his relationships separate from his professional work.
Quick Facts
- Derryn Hinch was married five times to four different women.
- His first wife was editor Lana Wells.
- His second wife was flight attendant Eve Carpenter.
- He married actress Jacki Weaver twice.
- His final legal wife was Chanel Hayton.
- From 2016 onward, he was in a committed relationship with animal rights advocate Lynda Stoner.
- He was not legally married during the final years of his life.
Derryn Hinch’s personal life was as eventful as his career. Across several decades, he experienced multiple marriages, lasting friendships, and a remarkable reunion with Lynda Stoner that brought stability during his later years.
While many people remember him for his journalism, television appearances, and political career, his relationships also formed an important part of his life story. His journey—from several marriages to rediscovering love with Lynda Stoner—illustrates a life filled with new beginnings, enduring connections, and meaningful companionship.
