George Negus diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease
“George continues to give and receive the love and respect of us all. We appreciate all the good wishes," says family.
- Published by David Knox
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Veteran journalist George Negus, 79, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and was moved into a Sydney nursing home late last year.
His family confirmed in a statement, “We continue to share wonderful family times and are grateful for the care and support we have had from extended family and friends over the past few years who understand our challenges,” son Serge said.
“George continues to give and receive the love and respect of us all. We appreciate all the good wishes from near and far at this time.”
Negus is best known for his 7 years as an original 60 Minutes reporter, from 1979 – 86. Amongst memorable stories were reports from war zones and famously a steely response from UK PM Margaret Thatcher.
His other roles include hosting on Today, Foreign Correspondent (as founding presenter), George Negus Tonight, Dateline.
In 2011, 6.30 with George Negus (or 6pm) on 10 was a bold attempt to cover world events in an early evening commercial timeslot. In his final episode as he looked back on stories around Japan, Somalia, UK riots, Norway tragedy, Washington politics, Middle Eastern conflicts, Australian politics he told viewers, “I think we proved our point. There is an audience out there who want to be told not just what’s happening in this country and around the world, but why. Unfortunately, not enough of you buggers watched us often enough. It’s your fault. Just joking.”
He was also a regular panelist on at The Project, providing wise insight to the cool kids.
“(Producers) Craig Campbell and Paul Horan asked me whether I would be interested in doing it regularly and I leapt at it. It strikes me as being a lot better quite frankly than going to the shrink,” he once told TV Tonight.
“While I think I’ve got something to say and people are prepared to listen, then whether it’s said with your tongue in your cheek on The 7PM Project or seriously on Dateline I’ll keep doing it.”
He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for significant service to the media, and to conservation and the environment.
Since the late 1980s he has run his own media company, Negus Media International, with wife Kirsty Cockburn.
Source: Daily Mail
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- Tagged with 6.30 with George Negus, 60 Minutes, Dateline, Foreign Correspondent, George Negus Tonight, Today
4 Responses
That’s awful news.
The absolute saddest news, such an horrible disease, and even more when it hits someone as clever as Negus.
So sorry to hear that. I cannot remember when the last time George Negus was on TV, but I remembered when He was on the Today 30th anniversary celebrations on 9 in 2012.
I’m sad to read this. I am observing first hand this disease with a parent, and it is distressing, My best wishes to George and his family. A great presence always in the world of journalism. A lovely man too.