Guardian reporter Amanda Meade’s Helen Reddy Twitter gaffe

Amanda Meade suggested the late singer-songwriter was her mother leading to an outpouring of sympathy.

Guardian Australia reporter Amanda Meade.

A Guardian Australia reporter has accidentally suggested late singer-songwriter Helen Reddy was her mother, leading to an outpouring of sympathy from high-profile Twitter personalities.

A Guardian Australia reporter accidentally suggested Helen Reddy was her mother.

Amanda Meade, the Guardian’s media writer and a former journalist on The Australian, wrote it was “with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy” in a social media post on Wednesday without any reference to the statement being made by Reddy’s family.

Meade is not related to Reddy, who has died aged 78. The singer is survived by her two children, Traci and Jordan.

Helen Reddy has died in Los Angeles, aged 78. Picture: Tony Russell/Redferns

“Sending all my love Amanda,” Network Ten political reporter Tegan George responded, a sentiment echoed by many others on Twitter including ABC correspondent Karen Percy.

Sending all my love Amanda. Xx

— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) September 30, 2020

“Oh darling, I’m so sorry for your loss. She was extraordinary. She used her voice for good,” businesswoman Jessica Rudd, the daughter of former prime minister Kevin Rudd, wrote in response. “Hope you get the privacy you deserve to mourn her in peace.”

Oh darling, I’m so sorry for your loss. She was extraordinary. She used her voice for good. Hope you get the privacy you deserve to mourn her in peace.

— Jessica Rudd (@Jess_Rudd) September 30, 2020

So sorry Amanda - she touched so many of us.

— Karen Percy (@PercyKaren) September 30, 2020

“Sending strength and love to you and your family,” author Benjamin Law wrote.

Meade quickly retracted her post, and apologised.

A tweet from writer Benjamin Law.

She said the note had been issued by Reddy’s family.

“So sorry … this is from Helen Reddy’s family,” she wrote.

“Should have quotation marks.

“She is not my mother. Sorry everyone.”

I must apologise for tweeting a direct quote from Helen Reddy’s family without quotation marks. She is not my mother. Sorry everyone.

— amanda meade (@meadea) September 30, 2020

Best known for her hit song I Am Woman, Reddy died in Los Angeles, aged 78. Her family said: “She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and truly formidable woman.”

“Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever,” they said.