George Negus health update
Ned Negus, son of legendary reporter George Negus, shares an updated two years on.
- Published by David Knox
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Ned Negus, son of legendary reporter George Negus has given an update on the health of his father, two years after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis was made public.
Somewhat reluctantly he posted on LinkedIn.
“For those of you who don’t know, my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s around five years ago. He’s now non verbal most of the time (mindblowing 🤯 for me but also any of you that know him),” he wrote.
“Today is Father’s Day in Australia and we had a walk on the beach together. He was clearly not sure why this particular walk was symbolic and sometimes not sure with whom he was walking.
“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. Love you Negsy.
“P.S. My mum took this photo and is by his side most days helping him through, helping him remember (even the slightest thing) and feel. Massive shout out to her too.”
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, 6.30 with George Negus.
He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for significant service to the media, and to conservation and the environment.
5 Responses
It wasn’t dementia, but I’ll never forget when my grandfather became non-verbal in the last 10 days or so of his life. It was deeply shocking to me and most likely terrifying for him. Dinner with him on the Sunday, non-verbal by Thursday and he died the next Friday. He was of that generation that fought WW2 and didn’t speak a lot, but when he did … He knew he was dying and he unlocked a lot of “grandad lore” in the last year of his life and that last Sunday afternoon I had with him is one of the … That afternoon was when I reconciled letting him go and I never saw him again.
Just wanted to echo the sentiments of @daveinprogress, but got a bit sidetracked.
Devastating..*sad*
I think of Alzheimer’s as a disease that teases the mind, like I bet George Negus can’t remember meeting A-listers, or when he held his children for the first time. But I bet he can vividly remember his most embarrasing moments.
Thank you for posting this sad but important update on one of our exemplary journalists, DK. George will always be known for his superb reporting and presenting. I coincided with him just the once at Ultimo at the ABC many moons ago and there was no air of self importance or ego but a charming and consummate professional. I wish him and the family as smooth a time as it can be, given the circumstances. 🙁
So very sad. Such a cruel disease that does not discriminate.
Dementia sadly eventually sabotages even the sharpest and most brilliant of minds.
Absolutely heartbreaking to watch the slow decline.