Family of Australian TV industry giant shares a devastating update about household name’s battle with Alzheimer’s

Legendary television journalist George Negus was never at a loss for words during his successful career, but the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease have left him virtually silenced.

Negus, one of the original reporters for 60 Minutes when the program started in Australia, was diagnosed with dementia about five years ago and has been living in a care home in Sydney since late 2021.

The 82-year-old’s son, Ned, posted a touching Father’s Day tribute to the man he calls “Negsy” on social media after a family outing to the beach.

The post was accompanied by a photo of a frail Negus, wearing a cap and his trademark moustache, embracing his son warmly on September 1.

“I was hesitant to post this on LinkedIn because it’s quite personal,” wrote Ned Negus.

“But then I realized that you are all human and there is always a place to share human reality with your professional network.”

Ned, commercial director of the A-League football competition, then referred to his father’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

“He is now non-verbal most of the time (which is astounding to me and all of you who know him),” he wrote.

Today is Father’s Day in Australia and we went for a walk along the beach together.

‘He clearly didn’t know why this walk was symbolic and sometimes he didn’t know who he was walking with.

‘At one point we stopped, he smiled broadly and then hugged me for a long time.

‘It was sad, but also encouraging to know that even when you can no longer say what you feel, you can still DO what you feel.

“I love you, Negsy.”

The photo was taken by Ned’s mother, Kirsty Cockburn, an award-winning journalist, author, documentary maker and Negus’ partner of almost 40 years.

‘[Mum] is with him most days and helps him through, helps him remember (even the smallest things) and feel,’ Ned wrote. ‘Also a big compliment to her.’

Negus made his last notable public appearance in November 2020 at the memorial service for television pioneer Gerald Stone, after the first executive producer of 60 Minutes died at the age of 87.

Stone had chosen Negus, Ray Martin and Ian Leslie as presenters of the news programme in 1979, when Kerry Packer imported the format from the United States to broadcast on his Nine Network.

At its peak in the 1980s, 60 Minutes was a ratings hit, with at least a third of the national television audience tuning in on Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m.

Negus became a household name as he traveled the world, often reporting from war zones. His thick moustache and open shirts gave him a tough look.

Negus’s presenting style became so familiar to television viewers that Paul Hogan cast him in a George Fungus character on his eponymous show.

Stone once said of his creation that 60 Minutes made its name by bringing big foreign stories to Australia. That meant sending his star talent all over the world to report on what they saw.

“People may not care about what happened in Nicaragua, but they do care about what George Negus did in Nicaragua,” Stone said.

Before Negus’ health deteriorated to the point where he required permanent care, he and Cockburn had lived on the New South Wales North Coast since the late 1980s.

Ned’s younger brother Serge, a producer for 60 Minutes, revealed to Daily Mail Australia in February 2022 that their father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

“As a family, we share the new path we are walking as George faces the reality of his diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease,” said Serge.

‘We continue to share wonderful family moments and are grateful for the care and support we have received over the years from our family and friends, who understand our challenges.

“George continues to give and receive the love and respect from all of us. We appreciate all the well wishes from near and far during this time.”

Jana Wendt, who joined 60 Minutes in 1982, said she last saw Negus when her former colleague’s condition was announced, at the wake following Stone’s funeral.

“In this situation I know he has the support of a very loving family and that means a lot,” Wendt told Daily Mail Australia.

‘So of course we can wish him and the family the best.’

Leslie said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of his old friend’s condition.

“It’s like losing a family member in a way,” he said.

‘But I’m sure that George, given his enormous strength of character and sharp mind, will be around for a long time to come.

‘Somewhere out there he will know what is going on and he will remember the life he has lived.’

Negus, born in Brisbane, was a high school teacher until his late twenties, when he began writing for newspapers including The Australian. He then worked for the ABC’s groundbreaking This Day Tonight program.

Negus was spokesman for Attorney-General Lionel Murphy during the short-lived Labor government of Gough Whitlam and was personally handpicked by Stone to help found 60 Minutes.

He worked on the program until 1986, sharing reporting duties with Leslie, Martin, Wendt and, toward the end of his tenure, Jeff McMullen.

Negus was the first presenter of the ABC’s international current affairs program Foreign Correspondent. He hosted the program from 1992 to 1999.

From 2002 to 2004 he presented George Negus Tonight, formerly known as New Dimensions, on the national broadcaster.

The following year he began presenting Dateline on SBS, before becoming a regular panelist on Ten’s The Project, and then presenting 6.30 with George Negus on the same network.

Negus was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 ‘for significant service to the media as a journalist and television presenter, and to conservation and the environment’.