A man has been jailed after being convicted of the murder of his partner, a chip shop owner, at their Hartlepool home.
Paul Smart, a welder, 49, had admitted manslaughter, claiming he lost control after being provoked, but denied murdering Angela Smeaton.
A man went to the toilet to urinate as he called 999 after stabbing his wife 12 times.
Ms Smeaton, 50, was found with wounds to her head and neck at the property in Eddleston Walk, in April.
Smart was found guilty by a jury at Teesside Crown Court and told he will serve a minimum jail term of 15 years.
The court was told the pair, who had a son and had been together for 30 years, began arguing after returning from the funeral of Ms Smeaton's brother Martin, who had cancer.
Smart claimed he stabbed her in self defence after she attacked him, but this was dismissed by the jury.
Following what the judge described as a "frenzied attack", he dialled emergency services, where he was heard to say "I'm sorry love, but you just pushed me too far".
The call handler keeps him talking, despite Smart saying he wants to call his mother.
Smart admits: "I've just killed my fucking wife who's I've been with for 29 years.
"It's fucking disgraceful."
Asked if he has been drinking, he replies: "Yeah. Haway, it's been a funeral."
Smart then admits: "I think she's not going to survive, there's that much blood."
The 999 operator thanks him when Smart said he has opened the front door so police could get in.
Smart then slurs: "Ah fuck me, what have I done?"
Soon after, an officer arrives and the call ends.
Smart, who had a history of domestic violence, was jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 15 years before parole will be considered. He had stabbed his partner 12 times with a carving knife.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Det Ch Insp Anne-Marie Salway, of Cleveland Police said: "This is a tragic set of circumstances and Angela's death has had a profound effect on all the family.
"Whilst there has been justice for the family, a son has now been left without his mother and his father is serving a lengthy prison sentence."