‘Farewell’: Former TV host announces her own death
Former Australian television presenter Fiona MacDonald has died aged 67, announcing the news in an Instagram post.
MacDonald, who was best known for her work on game show It’s a Knockout and the children’s program Wombat, died after a long battle with motor neurone disease.
She announced her own death in a post to Instagram on Thursday.
“Farewell my friends. My sister Kylie is posting this because I have left the building – Hopefully I’m looking down from a cloud. Last night brought an end to a very tough few months. Was very peaceful the boys and Kylie stayed with me to say goodbye,” she wrote.
MacDonald, who grew up in outback Queensland, got her start in TV with the children’s series Wombat in the 1980s.
Later she hosted an Australian version of the British show It’s a Knockout, which ran for four seasons.
You might like
She also hosted other TV shows before moving into marketing and public relations for the wine industry, and running a consultancy.
MacDonald was diagnosed with MND in 2021, and had been open about her health battle.
In 2023 she appeared on ABC’s Australian Story, revealing she was losing her speech and ability to walk, as she and her sister Kylie Thynne set off on a road trip around Australia – against all advice – to raise awareness and research funds for MND.
Stay informed, daily
MacDonald said that while she had never wanted to die, it was a relief to leave her “tortured body”.
No longer able to swallow normal food, she also struggled to tolerate protein drinks.
“I have been slowly starving, growing weaker and weaker. I’ve also developed terrible back pain because my muscles aren’t supporting my frame,” she wrote.
She said she had eventually decided to go into end-of-life care in hospital, and cease all medical support.
“When you love life as much as I do, it takes a great deal of courage to make choices that lead to farewell,” her Instagram post said.
“So let’s not call it goodbye as I hope to see you again on the other side. Until then: ‘May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rain fall softly upon your fields until we meet again, And may God hold you in the hollow of His hand’.
“I carry your love and laughter with me and hope you’ll remember mine.”
MacDonald is survived by her adult sons Harry and Rafe.
– TND
