‘My heart is broken’: Darren Hayes reveals his mother has died

Savage Garden star Darren Hayes is devastated over the death of his beloved mother just months after he dedicated his new memoir to her.

Darren Hayes has been left heartbroken after the passing of his beloved mother, Judy.

The Australian singer shared the devastating news with fans overnight on Instagram, posting a lengthy tribute to his mum who passed away peacefully last week.

“I am heartbroken to announce my beautiful, extraordinary, magnificent, wondrous Mother, Judy, passed away peacefully surrounded by love on January 17, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia,” he wrote.

Darren Hayes announced the death of his mother, Judy, in a heartbreaking Instagram post. Picture: Instagram

“I am absolutely devastated, as are her siblings, her grandchildren, my sister, our close family and all of her wonderful friends and anyone who knew her. She was the kindest person any of us knew and everything I know about love, I learned from her.”

Hayes, 52, said he is not in the right mind frame to “have a conversation or engage in dialogue about this immense loss” of the woman whose “presence in my life was the engine to my heart”. But he appreciates the “outpouring of empathy for my family and your appreciation for her”.

The singer said he is ‘absolutely devastated’ over the loss of his beloved mum. Picture: Instagram

Hayes says Judy was the ‘engine to my heart’. Picture: Instagram

“We always had an invisible string, a magical connection that was unbreakable no matter where I was in the world,” said Hayes, who reached astronomical success with Savage Garden.

“I like to imagine that string was a little bit like twine and she a beautiful balloon. The string has been cut and now my Mother has ascended to the heavens where she is forever young, beautiful and can finally breathe and is pain free.”

The Savage Garden star has always had a ‘magical connection’ with his mother. Picture: Facebook

Judy was always supportive of Hayes’ career from the very beginning. Picture: Instagram

“Even though she appears to have floated gently into the clouds above, our bond remains forever – perhaps now a connection made of glitter and stardust and wishes and love. My heart is broken but I’m so grateful she is finally at peace.”

The singer even dedicated his recently released memoir Unlovable to his mother, who he also paid tribute to in September on her 79th birthday.

“Happy 79th Birthday (in Australia) to my beautiful mother, Judy,” he wrote at the time.

“I dedicated my book to you – because you taught me everything there is to know about love and being a loving person. I’m so lucky my soul chose you in this lifetime.”

Originally published as ‘My heart is broken’: Darren Hayes reveals his mother has died