Groundbreaking Australian journalist George Negus dies, aged 82

One of Australia’s most prominent journalists, who was the inaugural host of Foreign Correspondent, has died after a health battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Veteran broadcaster George Negus has died, aged 82, after battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Negus was widely admired for his coverage of international affairs and politics.

His TV career began in 1967 when he reported for the ABC program This Day Tonight.

In 1979 he became the founding correspondent for current affairs program 60 Minutes – a job he held until 1986.

The popular TV journalist’s family issued a statement on Tuesday to announce Negus’ death, revealing that he died “peacefully surrounded by loved ones”, and thanking medical staff who supported him during his illness.

“Despite the challenges diseases like Alzheimer’s inflict on families, we still shared beautiful times, laughter, and happiness together in recent times. We also learnt a lot too so he would be happy about that,” the family said.

“While we know he will be celebrated for his unique contribution to journalism, football, and the environment, he would also want to be remembered for the incredible family man he was.

Indeed, we will remember him for those wonderful contributions to the world AND the rich life experiences he shaped for us.

“Many of you will have uplifting and distinct memories of him, regardless of whether you met him, but especially if you did. If you are looking to connect with those memories here are a few suggestions from us; kick a football, enjoy a hearty bowl of pasta, plan your next adventure to somewhere intriguing, or ask a curious question you think needs answering (and as he would say, the most important and simple one, ‘Why?).

“Even better, do all of those things and do them together with people you love. That’s what he would have done.”

After his stint on 60 Minutes, Negus co-hosted Today Australia until 1990.

Negus was also the first host of ABC’s Foreign Correspondent program from 1992 through to 1999.

He later fronted other programs including George Negus Tonight, before he switched to SBS to host Dateline on SBS in 2005.

He was also become a regular on The 7pm Project on Channel 10.

In the early days of his career Negus also wrote for The Australian and The Australian Financial Review.

In 2015 Negus was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and questioned why he had received the honour, telling The Daily Telegraph: “Why me?”

“There are a lot of people who can do what I do.

“I do it my way, which some people acknowledge as quite distinctive, but that’s about it — there’s only one Negus, like it or lump it.”

Among those to pay tribute to Negus on Tuesday included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who described him as a “giant of Australian journalism.”

George Negus was a giant of Australian journalism. His courage, curiosity and integrity gave millions of Australians a sense of the big issues on 60 Minutes, and a window to the world through Foreign Correspondent.

George sought and served the truth with steely determination…

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) October 15, 2024

ABC managing director David Anderson also said in a statement it was with “great sadness” the ABC had learned of Negus’ death.

“Many Australians will recognise George as a giant of Australian television and journalism,” he said.

“Among his many career achievements are his contributions to the ABC as a reporter for This Day Tonight in the 1960s and 1970s and as the founding host of Foreign Correspondent in the 1990s.

“Australian audiences loved not only his natural charm but also his intellectual curiosity for the world around him.

“On behalf of everyone at the ABC, I extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

ABC presenter Heather Ewart and former ABC Radio National host Phillip Adams, also a columnist at The Weekend Australian Magazine, posted on social media site X about Negus.

Vale George Negus. Old friend. Good journo

— Phillip Adams (@PhillipAdams_1) October 15, 2024

Farewell #GeorgeNegus. Such an enthusiastic and joyful friend. Thanks for the good times pic.twitter.com/QPyYqx4Cji

— Heather Ewart (@heatherewart1) October 15, 2024

Negus was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021 and is survived by his wife Kirsty Cockburn and sons Ned, chief commercial officer at A-Leagues and Serge, a producer at Nine’s 60 Minutes program.

Ned shared a heartfelt message on networking site LinkedIn last month which included a photo hugging his father on the beach on Father’s Day.

He wrote: “He’s (Negus) now non verbal most of the time (mindblowing for me but also any of you that know him).”

“At one point we stopped, he smiled broadly and then hugged me for quite some time.

“It was sad, but it was uplifting to know that even when you can no longer say what you feel, you can still DO what you feel.”