Harold Mitchell dies, aged 81
Melbourne adman, entrepreneur and philanthropist Harold Mitchell AC died on Saturday, following complications from a surgery.
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Many accolades have been used to describe media tycoon and philanthropist Harold Mitchell AC.
But as politicians and sporting and business figures paid tribute to the media mogul after his sudden death, one description stood tall among the rest: generous.
As revealed online by the Herald Sun, Mr Mitchell died on Saturday after complications relating to a knee surgery – a circumstancehis family labelled “barely believable”.
The Mitchell Family Office in a statement on Sunday said his death was a “major shock” to loved ones.
“Harold triumphed so often in adverse circumstances. He found solutions in what seemed impossible situations,” it said.
“He carried thousands of people toward better lives through his generosity and philanthropy.”
Quoting Mr Mitchell, they said he would insist his family “squeeze everything we can out of the privilege of life”.
“We salute you, Harold.”
Among the many prominent figures to pay tribute was media personality Eddie McGuire, who noted Mr Mitchell had grown fromhumble beginnings in regional Victoria to be “one of Victoria’s finest”.
“Harold Mitchell was one of our great media/business/philanthropic success stories,” Mr McGuire said.
“He backed himself as an unlikely mogul from Stawell. Became a friend and confidant to the biggest names in Australian business, in media, sport, advertising and the arts.
“Was fiercely his own man and a loyal friend and business ally to those he believed in. He more than paid his rent on this earth. One of Victoria’s finest.”
Premier Jacinta Allan said she was sad to hear of Mr Mitchell’s passing.
“He was an extraordinary man who achieved extraordinary things,” she said.
“His memory will live on in the causes he championed, the change he inspired and the modern Australia he helped to build.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
Prominent Melbourne businessman Bill Guest said it was “a huge shock”.
“He was a wonderful person, did so much for others without fanfare or acknowledgment,’’ Mr Guest said.
“His love for our great city should never be forgotten as was his contribution to media. I am very proud to call him a friend and I will miss him greatly, condolences to his family.”
Seven Group chairman Kerry Stokes described Mitchell as a “visionary” and said he’d be greatly missed.
“Harold was a visionary and a leader in the media industry over many decades,’’ Mr Stokes said.
“He will also be remembered as a great philanthropist and supporter of the arts and sports. Harold was a doyen of the industry and a great friend over the 40 years we had known each other.
“He had a wonderful sense of humour and was a groundbreaker in the way media was monetised.”
In a touching tribute, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Mitchell had made Australia “a better place”, noting he would be “one of the many who will miss his great company”.
“Harold Mitchell’s vision and determination did so much to shape Australian media and communications, over decades,” he said.
“Harold’s tremendous professional success was matched by extraordinary generosity as a philanthropist across the arts, sport, medical research and education.
He loved Melbourne, Victoria and Australia – and he made all of them a better place.
Like many others, Mr Albanese also remembered the media magnate’s generosity, sending his condolences to Mr Mitchell’s family.
“On a personal level, he was just as generous with his time, humour and insight,” he said.
“Sincere condolences to all Harold’s family and friends.”
The businessman and media commentator’s career and colossal philanthropic impact on Australia and the world spanned more than 45 years, with the tycoon known for his take on issues making a positive difference to the lives of Australians.
In 2000, Mr Mitchell created the Harold Mitchell Foundation, raising and distributing millions of dollars to projects related to health, education and the arts, including to more than 100 different organisations.
The executive chairman of the Mitchell Communication Group and former executive chairman of Aegis Media Pacific, part of the Aegis Group, was awarded Victoria’s Australian of the Year in 2013 for using his “wealth, knowledge and interests to support and promote many causes close to his heart”.
Among those causes was a deep love for Australia and Aboriginal culture that saw him connect the world to Indigenous art through innovative arts projects in France, and on home soil provide humanitarian support to Indigenous communities.
His passion also extended onto the sports field, with the businessman helping to secure the future viability of soccer in Australia.
In 2010, he also became the co-owner of the Melbourne Rebels rugby union team.
Mr Mitchell had previously been the chairman or board member of dozens of organisations, including the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum Board of Victoria and Opera Australia.
The father of two also battled several personal challenges in his lifetime, overcoming alcoholism and obesity, which saw him famously shed an impressive 70 kilograms before his 70th birthday.
In 2013, at the age of 71, Mr Mitchell and his wife of 50 years Bevelly decided to split, with Mr Mitchell at the time saying they had “drifted apart”.
In 2019, the advertising guru and former Tennis Australia board member faced another major challenge after being accused of taking Seven Network’s “side” when negotiating a broadcast rights deal for tennis in 2012.
The case, which was heard in the Federal Court, came after corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, launched civil action against Mr Mitchell and the organisation’s former president Steve Healy.
They claimed the pair had improperly helped Seven West Media win the broadcast rights but Mr Mitchell and Mr Healy denied any wrongdoing.
Justice Beach imposed a pecuniary penalty of $90,000 on Mr Mitchell for breaching his director’s duties over the Tennis Australia Board decision to award the domestic television broadcast rights for the Australian Open tennis tournament to the Seven Network.
Recently retired radio king Neil Mitchell, not related, said the media tycoon was a man whose power could generate great fear, and whose empire was truly self-built.
“He was engaging, he was direct, he was pugilistic at times,” he said.
“And I wouldn’t for a moment doubt his commitment to Melbourne.”
The former 3AW Mornings host reflected on his many disagreements with the media buyer, singling out one specific on-air debate over Japanese war drums making an appearance at the Shrine of Remembrance.
“Whenever we disagreed, and we disagreed quite often, it was on a point of principle to do with the city,” he said.
“I remember they were going to have Japanese war drums in the forecourt of the Shrine of Remembrance and I thought that was a very bad look, Japanese war drums at a war memorial.
“He and I had an aggressive on-air debate about it, my recollection is that he complained to management about me and then we went to lunch and sorted it all out.”
He noted: “The war drums did not go ahead.”
3AW Breakfast host Russel Howcroft recalled the media industry going straight to Mr Mitchell with an advertising inflation prediction for the coming 12 months.
“As far as I can tell he got it right every year,” he said.
“That must of been because Harold had simply said so.... such was his power and influence in our market.
“He influenced me, giving me a chance to share his regular ABC slot with Virginia Trioli. Australian media owes him a lot. And so do I.”
Seven West Media chief James Warburton said Mitchell was a fierce and tough competitor and a true legend.
“He was passionate about selling the impact and value of advertising,’’ Mr Warburton said.
“He was a great friend to the TV industry and many of us learnt a lot from him. Our deepest sympathies go to Harold’s family at this very sad time.”
Acting Lord Mayor Nick Reece said the “great Australian and very proud Melburnian” was one of a kind.
“Australia will not see another like him,” he said.
“A titan of business, a champion of good causes, and friend and adviser to so many.”
He described Mr Mitchell’s philanthropic endeavours as “remarkable” and his energy and willingness to lend a helping hand “legendary”.
“He was also one of Australia’s best storytellers, a colourful raconteur, he would have you on the edge of your seat as he regaled you with a story about doing business with Kerry Packer, or Rupert Murdoch, or the incredible tale of his own childhood in country Victoria as the son of a sawmiller,” he said.
“To visit his office in South Melbourne was like Willy Wonka meets the advertising industry – there was the leather couches, the artwork, the collectibles, the big desk – it was another world.
“He was a truly unique human being – and his contribution was absolutely gigantic.”
Co-founder of Melbourne not-for-profit, Youth Activating Youth, Ahmed Hassan said: “There will only be one Harold Mitchell.”
“Harold was a giant in the business field, a giant in philanthropy but he was also a giant among multicultural communities and disadvantaged young people,” he said.
“And it wasn’t just money, it was kindness, advice, empowerment.”
Mr Hassan, who first met Mr Mitchell eight years ago at age 20, said while others saw him as tough, he only experienced kindness.
“People would tell me he was a tough character at times, a tough person but he was very kind, always warm,” he said.
“All he asked was to be taken on a journey.”
A Tennis Australia spokesperson said Mr Mitchell’s wisdom was always appreciated and sent their condolences to his family and friends.
“Harold was an integral member of the tennis family for many years and renowned for his generosity and tremendous service to the community,” she said.
“A legend in the business world, his words of wisdom were always appreciated and we will miss him enormously.”
Mr Mitchell also served for eight years as the chairman of the largest brain research centre in the southern hemisphere, The Florey Institute in Melbourne.
Director of The Florey Professor Trevor Kilpatrick, described Mr Mitchell as “a valued and
deeply committed” Board Chair, who served in the role from 2012 to 2020.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Harold Mitchell,” he said.
“He was hugely proud of The Florey and was a very generous philanthropic donor whose substantial donations have supported scientists to conduct world-leading research here in Melbourne.
On behalf of all at The Florey, I extend my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Harold’s family and friends.”
Mr Mitchell is survived by his two children, Stuart and Amanda.
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