The Rev Ian Paisley, who was admitted to hospital with heart failure last month, has returned home, his wife revealed today.
At one stage the former Northern Ireland first minister was critically ill and on a ventilator at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, near Belfast.
His wife Eileen, Baroness Paisley, said in a statement today: "My family and I are delighted that my husband has been able to return home.
"It is not possible to put into words the depth of our gratitude to those responsible who cared for him these past three weeks, nor can we express sufficiently our thanks to all those who have sent their good wishes and prayers.
"We thank the media for giving us privacy during his time in hospital, and ask that he continues to have time and space to fully recuperate."
Ex-North Antrim MP Mr Paisley (85), the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, lives in east Belfast.
PA