Mary Leunig welcomes death of cartoonist brother Michael Leunig, labelling him sexual abuser, wife basher

The sister of famed Melbourne cartoonist Michael Leunig has rejoiced over the death of her brother, claiming he was a sexual abuser and wife basher.

Mary Leunig has welcomed the death of her famous cartoonist brother Michael.

The sister of famed Melbourne cartoonist Michael Leunig has rejoiced over the death of her brother, claiming he was a sexual abuser and wife basher.

Mary Leunig took to Instagram just a week after the 79-year-old’s death, saying she had “been wishing him dead for some time now”.

She said she was celebrating his death “only because of his contact with (her) kids”.

“Michael was always on view, always acting, bathing in his celebrity,” she wrote.

“Sexual abuse (and) wife bashing aside, what do I feel about his death.

“It’s a relief, a time to celebrate what’s left of my family...and all the animals and birds and people and nature and all.”

Mary Leunig, sister of famous cartoonist Michael Leunig. Picture: Instagram

She also reposted one of her signature cartoons that depicts her smiling as she shoots Michael through his jeans, his guts exploding in the shape of dollar signs, entitled “I finally get the recognition I deserve by shooting my brother in the bum”.

The social media post garnered praise from various supporters online.

“So admire your courage and honouring of yourself. Go brave strong woman,” one user wrote.

“I love that you speak up and out. I know it probably seems like the obvious and natural thing to do, but it does take strength and courage knowing what may come back,” another wrote.

“Oh blossom. All the consenting hugs and warm wishes to you. Such bloody strong, open, truthfulness. Take care of yourself in the face of provoking family awfulness,” another said.

Leunig’s influential career spanned over five decades, with his work featured in The Age for nearly 55 years.

Michael Leunig died on December 19.

Leunig was dismissed from The Age in September last year after some of his cartoons were deemed too politically sensitive.

This included a cartoon critical of the “no jab, no play” vaccination policies during Victoria’s Covid lockdowns.

Leunig also landed in hot water in 2019 after he drew a controversial cartoon depicting a young mother “too busy on Instagram” to look after her child.

Leunig was born in East Melbourne in June 1945, attending Footscray North Primary School and Maribyrnong High School.

He studied briefly at university but dropped out and began drawing cartoons in the mid-1960s.

His first book of cartoons, The Penguin Leunig, was published in 1974.

He was awarded honorary degrees from LaTrobe and Griffith universities and in 1999 he was declared a national living treasure by the National Trust.

The siblings are understood to have been estranged for years.

Mary is also an established cartoonist and artist. She has previously described herself as a “recluse”, living on a quiet property in Merton in Victoria’s northeast.

Originally published as Mary Leunig welcomes death of cartoonist brother Michael Leunig, labelling him sexual abuser, wife basher