John Spender: Father of Allegra Spender, ex-husband of Carla Zampatti, dead at 86

Father to teal independent MP Allegra Spender and former husband to late fashion designer Carla Zampatti, John Spender KC has died at the age of 86.

Former politician John Spender KC, father to teal independent Allegra and former husband to designer Carla Zampatti has died aged 86.

His daughter Allegra Spender, federal member for Wentworth, announced the death of her father on social media, saying he passed away on Thursday night.

“Last night, John Spender KC passed away, at the age of 86. He was a barrister, politician, diplomat, and raconteur,” she said.

Mr Spender was elected the Liberal member for North Sydney in 1980 and served as shadow lawyer general to John Howard.

“He crossed the floor in his first term. There was an amendment that would stop witnesses in the National Crimes Commission being reimbursed for legal costs. He felt reimbursement was needed for equal access to justice, so he voted with his feet. He was proud of it,” Ms Spender said.

John Spender in Double Bay last year. Picture: Ryan Osland

“He successfully drove reforms to parliamentary privileges to allow journalists to call politicians ‘drunks and bludgers’ (as Laurie Oakes did back in the 1980s) and other unflattering names, which previously came under defamatory contempt.”

“He is someone who reflected on the world, always questioned it, loved good conversation, and was gracious to the end,” Ms Spender said.

Spender was the father of Wentworth MP Allegra Spender ...

... and was previously married to late designer Carla Zampatti. Picture: Ben Rushton

“He was warm and generous, amusing and a good friend.

“When he knew he had only a couple of days left, he said: ‘The coffee better be good today’.”

Spender was married to iconic late fashion designer Carla Zampatti from 1975 to 2010, and leaves behind wife Catherine Spender and daughter Bianca, also a designer.

His family thanked St Vincent’s Private Hospital for caring for the barrister in his final days.

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Originally published as John Spender: Father of Allegra Spender, ex-husband of Carla Zampatti, dead at 86