TV news legend George Negus diagnosed with dementia

One of Australia’s best known journalists George Negus has been moved into a Sydney nursing home.

One of Australia’s best known journalists, George Negus, has dementia.

Mr Negus, 79, best known for 60 Minutes and Foreign Correspondent, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and moved into a Sydney nursing home late last year.

Negus’ family released a statement on Wednesday to share news.

As a family, we are sharing the new path we walk as George faces the realities of his diagnosis of dementia from Alzheimer’s disease. We continue to share wonderful family times and are grateful for the care and support we have had from extended family and friends over the past few years who understand our challenges,” the statement read.

“George continues to give and receive the love and respect of us all. We appreciate all the good wishes from near and far at this time.”

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George Negus in 1979 as a founding presenter of Nine’s 60 Minutes Australia.

Mr Negus has been diagnosed with dementia. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Lisa Wilkinson is among the high-profile Australians sharing messages of support for Negus today - recalling an encounter when she was co-host of Today back in 2010 and a planned three-minute appearance from Negus turned into a three-hour live political discussion the day Julia Gillard ousted Kevin Rudd as PM:

Negus was a high school teacher before becoming a reporter for The Australian and Financial Review newspapers.

It was just the beginning of a stellar career that saw him become a legend of news and current affairs.

Notably, Mr Negus was a founding presenter of Nine’s 60 Minutes Australia (1979-86) and ABC’s Foreign Correspondent (1992-99).

He also presented Nine’s Today Show, ABC’s This Day Tonight and SBS’ Dateline.

Mr Negus had two current affairs programs named after him; George Negus Tonight on ABC and 6.30 with George Negus on Network Ten the latter of which ran in 2011.

The current affairs veteran became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015.

He became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for significant service to the media, and to conservation and the environment.

Mr Negus has interviewed Bob Marley, Steven Spielberg, and perhaps most memorable Margaret Thatcher.

The Australian news veteran is also a published author of The World From Down Under; The World From Italy and The World from Islam, and the children’s series Trev the Truck.

He has run his own media company, Negus Media International, alongside his wife and fellow journalist Kirsty Cockburn since the late 1980s.