George Negus, a pioneering figure in Australian journalism has passed away at the age of 82 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Negus leaves an incredible mark on the media landscape after a career spanning several decades.
Born on March 13, 1942, in Brisbane, Negus began his professional life as a high school teacher before transitioning to journalism in his late twenties. His distinctive style, characterized by a down-to-earth approach and direct interviewing technique, made complex international and political issues accessible to a broad audience.
Throughout his career, Negus became a household name through his work on groundbreaking television programs. He was a founding correspondent for the Australian “60 Minutes” program from 1979 to 1986 and later hosted several shows, including “Foreign Correspondent” on ABC and “Dateline” on SBS1. Negus’s journalism took him around the world, where he reported from the frontlines of dangerous conflicts and interviewed numerous high-profile figures, including Margaret Thatcher, Muammar Gaddafi, and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Negus’s contributions to journalism were widely recognized, culminating in his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his significant service to the media and to conservation and the environment. In addition to his television work, Negus authored several books, including “The World From Islam” and “The World from DownUnder,” which became bestsellers.
Sadly, in 2022, it was revealed that Negus had been diagnosed with dementia from Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away on October 15, 2024, leaving behind a legacy as one of Australia’s most respected and influential journalists
