What Happened to Terry Waite?

Upon meeting Terry Waite, it’s hard to believe this calm, thoughtful man once endured nearly five years in captivity—facing mock executions and complete isolation from his family. Yet, for those who watched the news between 1987 and 1991, his face is unforgettable.

For 1,763 days, Waite was held hostage in Beirut. He had travelled to Lebanon to negotiate the release of Western captives, but instead became one himself, enduring long periods of solitary confinement. On 18 November 1991, he was finally released alongside an American hostage.

Originally published shortly after his release, Waite’s powerful autobiography Taken on Trust remains a compelling account of resilience and faith. This later edition, released to mark the 25th anniversary of his freedom, includes an additional chapter reflecting on the Middle East and the enduring impact of his experience.

In this deeply personal narrative, Waite recounts how he survived captivity by clinging to three guiding principles: “no regrets,” “no self-pity,” and “no over-sentimentality.” Unable to contact his family, he coped by pushing thoughts of them aside—recognising that dwelling on their absence would be too painful.

As the former envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Waite is often asked about his faith during those years. His honest answer—“no”—surprises many. He didn’t feel closer to God in those moments of solitude, but he never doubted Him. For Waite, faith and feeling were separate things.

A learned man, it’s understandable that he missed opportunities to read and write. Apart from once when he was forced to write a letter to his family as part of a mock execution. Instead, he wrote poems and reflections in his head which he wrote down and reworked following his release. “Out of Silence” is the curation of these writing.

This collection gives us a glimpse into the depths of faith, hope and love that sustained him through that intense time of suffering. They also take us into memories of his later life, reminding us of the joy and contentment to be found in meaningful work, and in the humanity, we share each day with those around us.

Throughout his work, he pays a repeated tribute to his wife of over 55 years, Frances for loyalty, gentleness, determination and sensitivity, recognising in the aftermath that what Terry needed for his reintegration was space and time.

Following his release, he was elected a Fellow Commoner at Trinity Hall in Cambridge, spending weekdays here before returning to his family at the weekends. It was here that he first penned “Taken on Trust”.

Despite the experience, Waite returned to Beirut in 2004, not due to a belief that he had ‘ghosts’ to put to rest but because he felt he couldn’t advise others, in his work, to ‘sit down with someone you disagree with, put the past behind you”, unless he too was willing to do the same.

Now a seasoned author releasing Solitude, reflecting on the practice and meeting with those who live it out and Travels with a Primate, a travelogue following his adventures with Dr Robert Runcie. Waite has even dipped his toe into the world of children's books with a fun collection of stories for 5-10s, designed to be enjoyed by both child and parent - Tales of Tommy Twitchnose.

Terry Waite, continues to serve others and is the co-founder and President of the charity Y Care International. He's also patron of several organisations including the Warrington Male Voice Choir and has performed with them through the years.