Dame Mary Berry, the beloved culinary icon, celebrated her 90th birthday on March 25, 2025, with a delightful blend of tributes, laughter, and a touch of cheeky mischief from her past. Known for her warmth and expertise from her time on The Great British Bake Off, Berry’s milestone was marked by heartfelt messages from friends, past co-stars, and a unique baking competition commemorating her special day.
In a special episode of The One Show aired on March 24, several notable figures came together to pay tribute to Berry. Among them were former Bake Off presenters Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc, who shared fond memories of their time with Berry on the show. "The four of us had so much fun," Perkins reminisced, reflecting on the chemistry they all shared and the joy of their work. As they celebrated, Giedroyc recounted a particularly humorous incident involving a permanent marker and Paul Hollywood's flashy car. "Mary went down and Paul had some flash car outside. And she wrote on his car, 'Mary woz 'ere'!"
Berry, ever the good sport, smirked as she recalled the prank, admitting she "vaguely" remembered the cheeky act that brought laughter among the crew.
Celebrations didn't stop there. Paul Hollywood himself sent a heartfelt birthday message that was played during the show. "Happy Birthday, 90 years old – that's impressive. Hopefully I will catch up with you soon. Have an amazing day," he said, acknowledging their seven years of collaboration on Bake Off. Berry, with tears in her eyes, appreciated the sentiment and warmth from her old friend.
Adding to the festivities, Prince William recorded a touching message for Berry, stating, "Hi Mary, I want to wish you a very happy 90th birthday. You are a true national treasure and we've loved working with you over the years. Have a fantastic day today." This message led Berry to express, "What an honour," as she fought back tears, clearly moved by the acknowledgement of her contributions over the years.
Mary's birthday cake highlights were also significant. As she was presented with a beautiful sponge cake made by renowned chefs Monica Galetti and Lucy Young, the audience witnessed Berry's joy and appreciation for each thoughtful gesture. The episode ended with a musical tribute from Michael Ball and the BBC singers, who personalized their songs in honor of Berry.
But not all birthday celebrations featured serious cake. Leading up to her birthday, Berry surprised her fans by launching her own Instagram account. "My 90th Year is full of surprises," she announced in her first post, inviting followers to join her journey as she navigated the social media realm. Her account showcased behind-the-scenes moments from her career and clips from her classic cooking shows.
To keep the festivities in full swing, editors of British Vogue organized a baking competition to mark her birthday. Berry acted as the judge for the competition, tasting various cakes made by the magazine’s team. Each cake told a different story: one was a simple vanilla sponge inspired by the onset of spring, while another was a humorous yet practical caterpillar cake, possibly purchased for time's sake.
Some contestants faltered, with one editor’s beignet dough failing miserably, leading her to scramble for a redo. Yet, a classic walnut cake stood out with its precision and delicious taste. Berry noted the creativity, stating, "I think it's jolly good of them to enter when you have a very busy job and you go home and make them in the evening."
However, not all cakes received positive feedback. One cake was described as “hideous” due to jumbled lettering and lacking the expected birthday charm. Another rich chocolate cake, while flavorful, was presented without frosting, missing the festive mark for a birthday celebration.
In a twist of fate, the winning cake came from a contestant named Honey, who struck a chord with Berry's taste buds, making her the brightest star in an array of baking endeavors. Berry's remarks about her fellow contestants illustrated well her genuine affection for baking and the people who grow alongside it.
As the celebration unfolded, combined with reflective storytelling from her time on The Great British Bake Off, it was clear that Mary Berry’s legacy was far more extensive than any cake. With continued support from friends, new ventures on social media, and warm interactions with fans and family alike, she remains a true icon in the culinary world.
Berry's 90th birthday certainly wasn’t just a day filled with cake but rather underscored a life richly interwoven with laughter, friendship, and the sweet delight of cooking. As she moves forward into her 90s, one can only wonder what more surprises await this national treasure.
