Former NSW Premier Bob Carr’s wife suffers brain aneurysm and will not recover

Helena Carr, the wife of former NSW premier Bob Carr, has suffered a brain aneurysm and doctors say she will not recover. Her husband has paid tribute to his “smiling, spirited” partner of 50 years.

Helena Carr, the wife of former NSW Premier Bob Carr, has died aged 77.

Helena Carr, the wife of former NSW premier Bob Carr, has suffered a brain aneurysm and doctors say she will not recover.

The Malaysian-born Australian businesswoman was in Vienna when she collapsed unexpectedly.

Issuing a statement from Vienna, Mr Carr confirmed the “loss” of his wife of 50 years, saying doctors had declared that she was officially dead after losing consciousness in his arms as a result of a brain aneurysm on Thursday night.

“Her little heart continues to beat but her brain has haemorrhaged with a massive amount of blood,” he said.

“She was the light of my life, the little friend always there. No one ever smiled more, or with more spirit.

The last picture of the couple together, taken outside the Vienna State Opera in Austria this week.

“It is inconceivable I could have won office for my party and held the Premiership for over 10 years without the steadiness of her companionship, her sense of fun and her lambent eyes.

“On Thursday we walked in autumn weather through Vienna, had lunch with two Australian friends, walked some more and went to the opera. She was full of zest and jokes as we walked back to our hotel. Within 20 minutes she referred to strange back pain, then a headache and nausea.

Bob and Helena Carr at home in Sydney in 2011. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

“Our 50-year partnership ended in the hotel bathroom when she sunk into my arms and I broke her fall to the floor. Her eyes closed for the last time while I begged her not to leave me.”

“As a girl in Taiping, Malaysia, she had written letters to Australian schools and was accepted by Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta. She later studied economics at Sydney University.

“At OLMC and Sancta Sophia College, she showed a huge gift for making friends. Every holiday was a visit with farm families who took a fondness to this sparkling beautiful girl from Malaysia.

“I met Helena on a trip back from the United States during a stopover in Tahiti in early 1971.

Helena Carr was born in Malaysia to Indian and Chinese parents.

“She was an accomplished businesswoman. Her first job in business was with CSR.

“She later became an expert in security printing and was appointed to the board of the biggest company in the field before becoming the half-owner and manager of a sizeable print company that specialised in high quality commercial work.

“The light has gone out of my life. I know many have faced this challenge, the loss of a life partner, the journey no one wishes.

“One reason to trying is my sense she is there telling me to go on for her.”

Helena and Bob Carr at the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House, Canberra in 2013.

Bob and Helena Carr at the Australian Premiere of Hamilton in 2021.

Premier Chris Minns said the entire Labor family was “devastated”.

“Bob and Helena were a wonderful partnership with Helena offering unconditional support to Bob and Labor during his years in the Premiership,” he said. “Helena was also a very successful businesswoman in her own right.

“We feel for Bob and are concerned for him. The entire Labor family will be waiting for him to offer our friendship and support upon his return to Australia.”

Born Anne Helena John in Malaysia to an Indian father and Chinese mother, she came to Sydney in 1965 to study at Our Lady of Mercy College before majoring in economics at Sydney University where she was a resident at Sancta Sophia College.

Upon graduating, Helena worked as a market research officer and then product manager for Leigh Mardon, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Amatil, eventually becoming a division manager and by the late 1980s, the managing director.

In 1972 she met Bob Carr on a vacation in Tahiti, with the pair marrying the following year.

The Malaysian-born Australian businesswoman was in Vienna when she passed away unexpectedly.

Bob Carr, then opposition leader, and wife Helena cast their votes in the 1995 election.

Helena and Bob and Helena Carr celebrate victory with Badgerys Creek Dianne Beamer and her twins.

Helena and Bob Carr, when he was elevated to the ministry.

As Helen’s career flourished, Carr also became more involved in Labor politics, winning the state seat of Maroubra at a by-election in 1983 before becoming premier after the 1995 state election, and later foreign affairs minister. Never one for the spotlight, Helena appeared content to allow her high-profile husband court – and taunt — the media.

However, those who knew her spoke of a great sense of humour that rivalled that of her husband.

The pair’s enduring partnership was evident to all, with Mr Carr always referencing Helena during his milestone speeches.

Helena was travelling in Vienna with Mr Carr this week where a source close to the pair declared they had been having a “wonderful time”.