Eileen Bond, the matriarch of the Bond family and former wife of colourful businessman Alan Bond, has died.
The 87-year-old passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Perth on Wednesday after suffering a stroke on Sunday.
Affectionately known as “Red”, the Fremantle-raised socialite married Alan in 1955, aged 17. The couple had four children together – John, Craig, Susanne and Jody – before divorcing in 1992 and remaining friends.
In a statement, the children described Eileen as “the matriarch, the glue, of the Bond family”.
“We have so many wonderful, funny and caring memories to treasure and we have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and the frankly hilarious stories that have surfaced over many decades - a testament to the vibrant and unforgettable woman she was,” they said.
“Red only knew one speed - flat out - and she brought everyone along for the ride. She touched countless lives with her generosity, humour, and unmistakable energy. She brought joy wherever she went.”
John Bond on Thursday recalled how his mother, who he described as an incredibly lively and staunchly loyal character, was by Alan’s side in 1983 during the historic America’s Cup victory.
“She somehow managed to turn the whole American public away from those who were defending the cup and in favour of the Australians,” he told ABC Perth Radio.
“She had an extraordinary ability just to relate to people.
“She came over last weekend dressed in a tutu and leggings with her big sunglasses and big earrings, and my granddaughters were just blown away and just wanted to know how they could dress like her, and that pretty much summed her up, she related to all ages, she was happy, and I think that was very symptomatic of the way she was right to the very end.”
Eileen was seen watching a South Fremantle Football Club game on Saturday, with president Peter Christie claiming the longtime supporter was in good spirits.
“The family have a 100-year association with the club … her father was president of the club on three separate occasions … he saved the club from extinction,” he told Radio 6PR.
“I think the thing about Red was her passion was so genuine, and with wealthy people, these clubs can sometimes become playthings for them, but that was never the case with Red.
Eileen Bond at Derby Day in 2023.Credit: Jesse Marlow
“She loved being there, if she was in Perth on a Saturday afternoon in winter, she was at Fremantle Oval cheering the Bulldogs.”
Eileen was also the cousin of Perth businessman John Hughes, who described her has a saint who “had the tiger by the tail” during his eulogy at Alan’s funeral in 2015.
Alan and Eileen were married for 37 years. He died in 2015, aged 77, from complications during heart surgery.
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