Footy legend Kevin Bartlett is left shattered by his wife Denise’s shock death

  • Loss sends Richmond into mourning
  • The couple was married for 54 years
  • Shared three daughters and a son

The death of Richmond icon Kevin Bartlett’s wife Denise has plunged the football world into mourning, with Tigers CEO Brendon Gale revealing the sad news in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

‘Richmond FC mourns the passing of Denise Bartlett. Denise was a beloved member of the Richmond family, and her strength, loyalty and unwavering support will be forever remembered,” Gale wrote on social media.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Kevin, Sharna, Cara, Breanna, Rhett and their families.”

Denise was married to the Hall of Famer for 54 years and they shared three daughters and a son, all of whom were referenced in Gale’s message.

Denise and Kevin Bartlett (pictured at a 2019 Australian Football Hall of Fame ceremony) married in 1970 and share three daughters and a son

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale praised Denise's

Richmond CEO Brendon Gale praised Denise’s “strength, loyalty and unwavering support” in a heartfelt message as he broke the news Tuesday morning

It is not known how she died.

Bartlett is considered one of the greatest players in Aussie Rules history. He played 403 games for the Tigers from 1965 to 1983, scoring 778 goals for the club.

Denise was a talented runner who married the star in 1970 in the Melbourne suburb of Ascot Vale.

Their daughters Sharna, Cara and Breanna were star athletes while at school, and son Rhett is a broadcaster and writer turned historian for the Richmond club.

MORE TO COME…