Eileen Bond joins family in Perth after death of former husband Alan Bond

IT was the saddest of homecomings for Alan Bond’s ex-wife Eileen, who has arrived in Perth to be reunited with her family ahead of farewelling the former tycoon.

Eileen Bond arrives at the Perth International Airport after flying in from London. Eileen is the former wife of Alan Bond who passed away this week. PICTURE: SEAN MIDDLETON.

IT was the saddest of homecomings for Alan Bond’s ex-wife, Eileen, as she arrived in Perth to be reunited with her family ahead of farewelling the former tycoon.

“I’m feeling absolutely terrible but I’m very relieved to be back in Perth,” she said at Perth Airport on Saturday night.

“I’m very relieved to be here. I’ve been in constant contact with the kids, it’s been a very sad time for us.”

Seven News reported a funeral was planned for Friday in Fremantle as Mr Bond’s close friends paid tribute to the private side of an “unforgettable character”, beyond his brash public image and controversial career that saw him go from a national hero to villain.

The 77-year-old businessman’s family and friends are still coming to grips with his death on Friday following complications from triple-bypass heart surgery.

Eileen Bond, who is relieved to be back in Perth with family. Picture: Sean Middleton.

His colourful life has been most remembered for his crowning glory — spearheading and financing the famous Australian America’s Cup victory in 1983.

Many also heralded his contribution in putting WA on the world map, before his business empire crumbled and he was eventually jailed for fraud.

Originally published as Eileen Bond joins family in Perth after death of former husband Alan Bond