01 Feb RIP Sir Paul Holmes.
Picture source: stuff.co.nz
Our thoughts go out to Sir Paul Holmes’ family at this very sad time. Our team are truly saddened to hear this news and what a loss at such a young age.
May you rest in Peace.
Source stuff.co.nz
Broadcasting trailblazer Sir Paul Holmes died at his beloved Hawke’s Bay home surrounded by his family this morning.
Holmes, 62, had been battling heart problems and the return of prostate cancer, which he recently said was more aggressive than before.
His family said in a statement that he died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, just as he had wanted.
“More than just a broadcaster, Paul was a loving husband and father, as well as a generous friend. He loved people and people loved him.”
His wife, Lady Deborah, and children, Millie and Reuben, and brother Ken, thanked the public for their “incredible support”, but said they now needed privacy to grieve.
Information on how the public could pay tribute to Holmes would be announced in due course.
He ended his broadcasting career in November because of poor health and was a late addition to the New Year honours list, being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He has been suffering for much of the past year from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a genetic heart condition that thickens muscles and restricts bloodflow – and from prostate cancer.
Holmes had four hours of open-heart surgery earlier last year in Auckland Hospital, including nearly a week in an induced coma as he recovered.
He was back in hospital in November after he got an infection.
“When you have a few health scares it makes you think and it provides an opportunity for perspective, ” he said at the time, as he stepped down from his role as a mainstay presenter for radio station Newstalk ZB.
He headlined TVNZ’s flagship Holmes programme until 2004.