George Negus, Aussie TV news legend, diagnosed with dementia

Aussie TV legend George Negus, best known for his time on 60 Minutes and Foreign Correspondent, has dementia, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, his family have revealed.

The veteran journalist moved into a Sydney nursing home late last year, with his family releasing a statement on Wednesday.

"As a family, we are sharing the new path we walk as George faces the realities of his diagnosis of dementia from Alzheimer's disease," his son Serge Negus told Daily Mail Australia.

"We continue to share wonderful family times and are grateful for the care and support we have had from extended family and friends over the past few years who understand our challenges.

"George continues to give and receive the love and respect of us all. We appreciate all the good wishes from near and far at this time."

George Negus has been with his partner, fellow journalist Kirsty Cockburn, for more than 35 years, with the pair running their own media company, Negus Media International, together.

The 79-year-old was one of the three original reporters on 60 Minutes when the show launched in Australia, alongside Ray Martin and Ian Leslie.

From 1992-1999, Negus hosted Foreign Correspondent, before moving on to present New Dimensions, later known as George Negus Tonight, from 2002-2004.

He was also a regular panelist on The Project between 2009 and 2011.

The star has interviewed the likes of Bob Marley, Steven Spielberg, and Margaret Thatcher.

He became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015 for significant service to the media, and to conservation and the environment.

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