The Springwatch star - a breast cancer survivor - admitted the past year has been "a shocker".
Michaela's sister-in-law also died, and two of her close friends lost children.
"These were people our age. I know I'm getting on but I'm 57 - I shouldn't know this number of people who have died.
"I went from her funeral, basically, to The Pilgrimage.
"So I was carrying grief, which made it a different journey." The TV star, also known for presenting the long-running Really Wild Show with Chris Packham then Steve Backshall, said she would not have processed her grief without going on The Pilgrimage.
The show sees a group of seven celebrities with different faiths and beliefs walk the North Wales Pilgrim's Waya route which celebrates early Christian saints.
Filmed across three hour-long episodes, Michaela walks with Eton School-educated Spencer Matthews, a former reality TV star turned entrepreneur, who was christened Church of England, and Sonali Shah, a journalist and TV presenter who was raised in a Jain household.
They were joined by comedian Eshaan Akbar, a lapsed Muslim who walked in memory of his late mother; Amanda Lovett, a practising Catholic who starred in the first series of BBC's The Traitors, actor Tom Rosenthal, star of Channel 4's Friday Night Dinner, who has Jewish heritage; and former model Christine McGuinness, who said while she is spiritual, she does not practise a particular faith.
Michaela says: "I don't think I would have processed the grief.
This story is from the March 24, 2024 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 24, 2024 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TIME TO SACK OR BACK ME
Ten Hag seals stunning FA Cup win and wants answer on future
TIME FOR SIR JIM TO MAKE CALL
City boss Pep throws support behind cup hero Ten Hag
GREAT LEADER BRU BEATS THE BLUES IN STYLE
Build the future around Fernandes
Talking about brave Bruce's dementia 'will bring hope'
HOLLYWOOD action hero Bruce Willis's eldest daughter says his family will continue to talk about his dementia to \"bring hope\" to sufferers.
Cheryl: I was threatened with sack from Bucks Fizz for having mind of my own
BUCKS Fizz legend Cheryl Baker has claimed the group's management threatened to sack her and told her she was the least valuable member of the Eurovision-winning band.
Albanian 'gang boss' eyes return
A MAN accused of running a gang smuggling drugs and people from Albania to the UK has launched a court bid to overturn his travel ban.
Call to teach D-Day sacrifice in schools
THE STORIES of heroism and sacrifice which defined D-Day must be passed on to the younger generation, leaders from across the political divide have pledged.
Airshow ban on new RAF jets that melt the runways
THE RAF's new fighter jets will not be allowed to make stunning vertical landings at air shows across Britain this summer, in case they melt the runways.
The 'fashion' lions rescued from desert
THEY were illegally bought as status symbols to flaunt like fashion accessories and then cruelly dumped in the desert when no longer cute cubs.
Scathing reviews of Balmoral mar tours
VISITORS to favourite royal getaway Balmoral Castle have been left \"underwhelmed\" and let down by its catering.