By Leigh O’Connor, Editor.
George Negus was one of those faces you just knew and trusted…whether he was reporting on the latest political scandal or live from a war-torn country somewhere around the globe.
The iconic Australian broadcaster and journalist passed away yesterday aged 82 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease surrounded by his family with a trademark smile still on his face.
The renowned Foreign Correspondent, 60 Minutes and Today show host suffered from the disease for five years and died due to complications surrounding his illness.
An emotional statement from his family read:
"Despite the challenges diseases like Alzheimer’s inflict on families, we still shared beautiful times, laughter and happiness together in recent times. We also learnt a lot.
"While we know George will be celebrated for his unique contribution to journalism, football and the environment, he would also want to be remembered for the incredible family man he was.”
From his early days working for the ABC, it was obvious George’s down-to-earth and fearless approach would garner him a legion of fans and he won millions of viewers during his 57-year career. His switch to Channel Nine came after a particularly cheeky comment to the then Australian PM led to the ABC giving him the ‘flick’ and as they say, he never looked back.
Not afraid to take on the most powerful people in the world, George’s infamous interview with then British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher in 1982 cemented his reputation when he asked:
"Why do people stop us in the street and tell us Margaret Thatcher isn’t just inflexible, she isn’t just single-minded, on occasions she’s plain pig-headed?”
The Iron Lady questioned who had called her that and where and George repeatedly said the criticism came from ordinary people on the street.
Nine’s 60 Minutes Australia paid tribute to the ‘icon of journalism’:
"We will always treasure the stories and memories he gave us,” the program said on X.
For eight years Negus travelled to globe reporting for 60 Minutes.
"Today, Australia lost one of its greatest storytellers,” Nine’s Director of Television Michael Healy said. "When you watched a George Negus interview it was thoughtful, intelligent, composed. He was always in control.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called George a ‘wonderful, principled person’:
"George Negus was a giant of Australian journalism. His courage, curiosity and integrity gave millions of Australians a sense of the big issues on 60 Minutes and a window to the world through Foreign Correspondent. George sought and served the truth with steely determination and a twinkle in his eye and along the way, he made even the smallest TV screen feel that much bigger.”
As a journalist, I have admired George’s career and marvelled at his capacity to always have the right question at the right time.
From our AGFG family to the Negus family, we offer our sincere condolences on the passing of a broadcasting legend of the calibre we are not likely to see again.
RIP George…
