Australian Story: February 9

Next week Australian Story profiles Lady Susan Renouf.

Now, in her mid 70s and an independent woman after three very high profile marriages, she is facing her toughest challenge: confronting ovarian cancer.

Interviews include Victorian Premier Mr Jeff Kennett and Melbourne businesswoman and philanthropist Jeanne Pratt.

This episode is introduced by Caroline Jones.

Susan Renouf has always declined to be involved in an autobiography, but for this candid Australian Story profile she allowed access to all areas of her often controversial life. The program follows her as she parties at the Melbourne Cup, fundraises for charity and fronts up to her oncologist for what turns out to be distressing news.

Susan Renouf first came to public attention as the wife of rising Liberal star Andrew Peacock. With their three daughters, their considerable glamour invited regular comparisons to John and Jackie Kennedy.

“I understand some of the interest she has generated is because in her way her life has been full of sagas” says Caroline Cordeaux, Lady Renouf’s daughter.

She left Andrew Peacock to marry the British horse racing millionaire Robert Sangster and then went onto an equally high profile but ill fated third marriage with New Zealand tycoon Sir Frank Renouf.

But it’s her considerable stoicism and high spirits in the face of a confronting ovarian cancer diagnosis that have won new admirers in recent days and she has become an advocate for those dealing with a particularly sinister disease often diagnosed too late to be treated successfully.

“I think she’s vulnerable as anyone would be, you’d have to be mad not to be upset by the fact that you’ve got cancer, but at the same time she’s got a very positive outlook” says Jeanne Pratt, friend.

8pm Monday ABC.