Jamal Khan was found guilty of the murder of 42-year-old Humera Khan at Preston Crown Court in Lancashire, north-west England and ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years behind bars.
The 52-year-old was initially arrested on suspicion of wounding after the attack in February, but was later rearrested on suspicion of murder following his wife's death in hospital.
He had denied murder but was found guilty after a week- long trial today.
"It was a ferocious attack where she was bludgeoned to death with a lump hammer, causing catastrophic injuries to her as she was working on a sewing machine in her own house, a place where she was entitled to feel safe and secure," she added.
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The court was told that the mother-of-three died after being struck twice around the head when Khan lost his temper.
"Humera leaves behind a daughter and two sons and I would like to pay tribute to her family who have acted with dignity throughout the investigation and subsequent trial," McEnery noted.
Jamal Khan took to the witness stand during his trial and told jurors the incident occurred after he had asked his wife if she had prepared some food for him, to which she had replied in their native tongue: "Do it yourself monkey."
He described it as "grievously insulting".
Asked what he remembered doing next, he said: "I was just stood behind her, she was in the kitchen and I was standing between the kitchen and the living room. I just, because I could see the handle, I just picked it (hammer) up in both hands.
Khan also told the court he left Pakistan for England 17 years ago after his brother was murdered and he felt under pressure from his family to take revenge.
He had previously told the court he had worries about his health, immigration status and finances and was worried about UK authorities finding out he had come to the UK with a false name.