BBC star Clive Myrie was left stunned when a trip to Jamaica with his wife Catherine revealed a shocking family secret about his grandmother’s life in the Panama Canal Zone. What else lies buried in his family’s untold history?

Clive Myrie, the celebrated BBC newsreader and Mastermind host, is no stranger to uncovering stories that captivate audiences. But nothing could have prepared him for the astonishing revelation about his own family’s past, sparked by a visit to Jamaica with his wife, Catherine. In a candid interview on the Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast with Craig Oliver, Clive shared how a seemingly ordinary trip turned into a profound discovery about his grandmother’s hidden life in the Panama Canal Zone. This unexpected glimpse into his heritage not only shocked the 60-year-old journalist but also inspired a new mission to shine a light on a forgotten chapter of Caribbean history. What secrets lie beneath the surface of his family’s story?

A Trip That Changed Everything

The revelation came during a visit to Clive’s aunt and grandmother in Jamaica, where Catherine, who is Caucasian, met his grandmother for the first time. His grandmother, in the advanced stages of dementia, reacted with surprise to seeing “this white person in her home,” as Clive recounted. Her confusion, likely amplified by her condition and the rarity of such visitors, triggered a remarkable response. “She was taken back to her childhood when she was seven or eight, growing up in the Panama Canal Zone, where her father, my great-grandfather, was working, building the Panama Canal,” Clive explained. To his astonishment, she began speaking Spanish—a language he had no idea she knew—uttering phrases that translated to “shut your mouth; shut your mouth—I’m not your slave.”

These words, raw and haunting, offered a window into the harsh realities of his grandmother’s early years. Clive, who had been unaware of her connection to Panama, learned from his aunt that she had indeed grown up in the Canal Zone. The phrases she spoke suggested memories of overhearing or experiencing racial tensions, possibly between Caribbean laborers and white overseers or teachers. “Clearly, these were words and ideas she grew up with,” Clive reflected, speculating that they could have been whispered by workers facing mistreatment during the canal’s construction. This moment, sparked by Catherine’s presence, left Clive “gobsmacked” and eager to dig deeper into his family’s past.

Uncovering a Forgotten History

The Panama Canal Zone, established in 1903 under U.S. control, spanned 533 square miles and housed both American and Caribbean workers who toiled to build the monumental waterway, completed in 1914. While Americans reportedly lived in luxury in designated “gold” areas, Caribbean laborers, including Clive’s great-grandfather, were relegated to “silver” areas, facing segregation and harsh conditions. “One of hundreds of thousands of Caribbean laborers who helped build that mighty waterway,” Clive noted, his grandmother’s childhood was shaped by this divided world. Her unexpected outburst in Spanish revealed not just a linguistic surprise but a connection to a history of struggle and resilience.

Shocked by the scarcity of literature on the Caribbean contribution to the Panama Canal, Clive has embarked on a project to raise awareness. “I sought out books on the topic and was surprised when I discovered there weren’t many,” he said. His initiative aims to honor the untold stories of Caribbean workers, whose labor was instrumental in one of the 20th century’s greatest engineering feats. This discovery has added a personal dimension to Clive’s storied career, which includes reporting from over 90 countries and covering major global events like the Ukraine war and the Rohingya crisis.

A Marriage That Sparks Discovery

Clive’s marriage to Catherine, an upholsterer and furniture restorer, has been a cornerstone of his life for over 27 years. The couple, who met at a 1992 book launch about Swiss cheeses, share a love for travel, particularly to Italy, but their Jamaica trip proved uniquely transformative. Catherine’s presence inadvertently unlocked a family secret, highlighting the power of shared experiences in uncovering hidden truths. Clive’s openness about this moment underscores the depth of their partnership, which thrives on mutual support and curiosity.

A Legacy to Explore

This revelation has left Clive with more questions than answers. What other stories lie hidden in his family’s past? And how will his project reshape our understanding of the Caribbean’s role in global history? As he continues to balance his demanding BBC career with personal discoveries, Clive’s story invites us to reflect on our own roots. Are there secrets waiting to be uncovered in your family’s history? Share your thoughts, because Clive Myrie’s journey proves that sometimes, the past speaks when we least expect it.