of 82 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, his family said in a statement.
The statement said Negus “passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones” and thanked Australian healthcare workers for supporting him “in the best possible way” during his final moments.
“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.”
Negus began his journalistic career writing for The Australian and The Australian Financial Review.
He first gained notoriety whileย working as attorney-general Lionel Murphy’s press secretaryย during the Whitlam government-era, when he leaked an imminent investigation into ASIO headquarters. The event was dubbed the 1973 Murphy raids.
Negus rose to prominence as a reporter for ABC’s This Day Tonight, later serving as a founding correspondent for 60 Minutes and co-host for Today Australia.
In 1992, Negus presented the first episode of ABC’s Foreign Correspondent. He would continue with the program until 1999.
He will also be remembered as a mainstay on Dateline and The 7PM Project, and host of ABC’s George Negus Tonight and Ten’s 6:30 with George Negus.
Negus was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 and was honoured for his significant service to the media as a journalist and television presenter, and to conservation and the environment.
“While we know he 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,” his family’s statement read.
