Famous cartoonist Michael Leunig’s sister Mary celebrates the death of her ‘awful abuser’ sibling: ‘Time to celebrate’
EXCLUSIVE
The sister of famous cartoonist Michael Leunig has taken to Instagram to celebrate her brother’s death, describing him as a sexual abuser and shameless attention seeker.
In a post that was praised by her followers, Mary Leunig wrote just a week after the death of her 79-year-old brother: “I’ve been wishing him dead for a while.”
Mary apologized for her joy at his death in the post titled ‘Boxing Day, Michael dead’, but explained that this was ‘only because of his contact with my children. Michael’s fame… Michael was always in the spotlight, always acting, bathing in his celebrity.
“So, sexual abuse and wife bashing aside, what do I think about his death?
“It’s a relief, a time to celebrate what’s left of my family… and all the animals and birds and people and nature and all that.”
She also reproduced one of her cartoons titled “I Finally Get the Recognition I Deserve for Shooting My Brother in the Ass.”
Mary Leunig, above, the sister of famed cartoonist Michael Leunig, celebrated his death on Instagram
Michael Leunig died on December 19 at the age of 79. That prompted his sister Mary to publicly describe him as an abuser and shameless attention seeker.
It shows her smiling as she shoots Michael through the seat of his jeans, his innards and innards exploding in the shape of dollar signs in the front.
Mary Leunig had previously accused her brother of sexual abuse in comments on her Facebook account and she has publicly attacked him in media reports.
But her allegations have not been tested in court and he is not known to have responded to her claims during his lifetime.
Mary’s post attracted many likes and comments from supporters.
One woman wrote: ‘What damn strong, open, truthful. Take care of yourself when faced with provoking awfulness,” while one woman said, “the dark underbelly revealed. Strength and solidarity with you @maryleunig’,
Another wrote: “I love that you are speaking out. I know it probably seems like the obvious and natural thing to do, but it does take strength and courage to know what can come back. I wish you a very happy 2025′.
Others wished her strength and love while a friend wrote: ‘I have thought of you often since his death. I am so happy for you, and I hope you find things peaceful, gentle, and full of possibilities.”
Mary Leunig, whose work is infused with very dark humor, is a highly regarded cartoonist.
But her brother’s cartoons, including the famous ‘Mr Curly’ and his whimsical satire, made him a household name.
During a 55-year career as a newspaper cartoonist, he was named a National Living Treasure by the National Trust for his contributions to Australian culture.
Mary Leunig’s revelations about her abusive, fame-loving brother have won praise and support for her honesty and strength
Mary Leunig discussed the secret rift caused by her brother’s actions on Instagram, just a week after his death on December 19
He was fired by The Age from Nine Newspaper in August 2024. This followed years of controversy over his cartoons. critical of Victoria’s ‘no jab, no play’ vaccination policy and pandemic lockdowns.
One cartoon in particular that caused controversy depicted a lone man standing in front of a loaded syringe, referencing the iconic image of a protester in front of a tank in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989.
A 2019 cartoon depicting a young mother who was “too busy on Instagram” to care for her child drew public criticism from Mary, who criticized it for being “mean” and deliberately “feminist lashing out.”
She revealed they had been estranged for years and claimed he unfairly harassed women and mothers.
‘I know mothers. I talk to women with children and the burden they carry… And they’re not the people Michael thinks they are.”
Michael Leunig was known for his whimsical cartoons but was fired when they became political and anti-vax during the Covid lockdown
The cartoon that got Leunig fired depicted a lone man standing in front of a loaded syringe, referencing the iconic image of a protester in front of a tank in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989.
But Mary Leunig’s Boxing Day letter hints at deep divisions within the family.
One person noted, “Complex family relationships create complex losses (at least in my experiences). all the best and kindness.”
Another wrote: ‘I can’t imagine what it felt like to have the world, especially the art world has been praising him this past week, but you made it and in addition to the family you have left, you have us. And…exhale.”
After Michael Leunig’s death, he was described as “well-liked” although he “never worried about being seen as unconventional.”
And despite retiring after his work was targeted by “woke” activists according to a fellow cartoonist, his cartoons of “wonderful innocence… will surely live on forever.”
Mary Leunig was wished on Instagram after her revelations about her brother, ‘freedom’ and ‘I support Mary’.
Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com