Jayne Hrdlicka: Virgin Australia CEO’s husband Jason Gaudin dies after cancer battle
Heartbreak as Virgin Australia boss’s husband tragically dies after brave battle against ‘rare and aggressive’ health condition
- Jayne Hrdlicka’s husband Jason Gaudin has passed away after battling cancer
- She said it was “rare, aggressive and ultimately incurable.”
Virgin Australia’s husband Jayne Hrdlicka, Jason Gaudin, has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
“As many of you know, my husband Jason was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive and ultimately incurable cancer in November 2019,” said Ms Hrdlicka.
“It is with a heavy heart that I say that after a long, difficult and courageous struggle, he is now gone.”
In addition to American-born Mrs. Hrdlicka, Mr. Gaudin is survived by the couple’s two sons, Alec, born in 2004, and Josh, born in 2007.
“For his sake, I am thankful that the suffering is behind him. It’s a devastating loss for us,” she said.
Jayne Hrdlicka (right) is pictured with her father Richard, son Alec and husband Jason, who has just passed away after a long battle with cancer
“He was such a kind, loving, fun and adventurous person with a sharp and quick mind. Jason will be sorely missed as a father, husband, son, brother and friend to many.”
The family has lived in Brisbane, where Virgin Australia is headquartered, since she replaced Paul Scurrah as CEO in November 2020.
Ms Hrdlicka was previously the CEO of the dairy company A2 but stepped down in December 2019 after only two years in the top position.
While she was initially vague about the departure, she later said there were “unforeseen changes” in her personal life that she was dealing with.
But in March 2021, she said her husband’s cancer diagnosis was the reason she left A2. ‘That was about it. Game over. Life is short,” she said at the time.
In addition to American-born Mrs. Hrdlicka (pictured), Mr. Gaudin is survived by the couple’s two sons, Alec, born in 2004, and Josh, born in 2007
On Monday night, Ms. Hrdlicka posted on her LinkedIn page, “I will be taking time off for the next few weeks to spend time with family.
“I deeply appreciate the heartfelt support and compassion of so many over the years as Jason and I worked our way through his various stages of treatment and challenges.”
She added that her husband’s “strength, incredibly positive attitude and passion for his boys enabled him to live years beyond his doctors’ expectations.”
“We are blessed and grateful for that.”
Mr. Gaudin, who did not have a large public profile, previously worked at Wells Fargo Bank as head of corporate and investment banking Australia and New Zealand.
More to come…