Barry Humphries’ long health battle: How legendary comedian had major surgery just weeks before he was rushed to hospital where he ‘laughed and joked’ with nurses the day before he died
- Barry Humphries passed away on Saturday at 89
- Comedian died after hip surgery complications
- Comes after he tripped over a rug in February
Legendary comedian Barry Humphries died on Saturday following a lengthy health battle first triggered by a seemingly innocuous fall in his home.
Humphries, who was best known for his alter egos Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, sadly never recovered from complications following a hip surgery.
His death at age 89 came despite promising reports on Friday that suggested he was ‘alert’ and ‘cracking jokes’ with nursing staff at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.
Hopes the comedian would make a full recovery increased after a hospital spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that he was ‘stable’ and ‘responsive’.
However, a representative confirmed on Saturday that Humphries had died surrounded by his family, including his wife of 30 years Lizzie Spender.
The comedian had brushed aside concerns about the seriousness of his condition for weeks, telling fans and well-wishers his health was improving.
His lengthy health battle had begun back in February, when the beloved entertainer tripped on a rug while reaching for a book in his Sydney home.
Barry Humphries’ death came despite promising reports from the hospital on Friday that suggested he was ‘alert’ and ‘cracking jokes’ with nursing staff
A representative for Humphries confirmed on Saturday that he had died surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years Lizzie Spender
Humphries underwent hip surgery at St Vincent’s in March, before he was released.
Later that month, he told Nine Entertainment’s Andrew Hornery he hoped to be back in good shape so he could continue touring.
‘I have to get back on my feet,’ he said.
‘I’m going back on tour later this year. The result of my broken hip means I now have a titanium hip… you can call me “Bionic Bazza”.’
However, worrying reports on Thursday night suggested Humphries was in a ‘unresponsive state’ and had been readmitted to hospital.
Entertainment commentator Peter Ford said: ‘Things are tough, and all we can do at this point in time is to basically give a big shout out to Barry Humphries and say, ‘Australia loves you and we will always be grateful for everything you have given us’.’
‘Barry has a fighting spirit and he’s not going to give up easily.’
Legendary comedian Barry Humphries (pictured in 2009) died on Saturday following a lengthy health battle first triggered by a seemingly innocuous fall in his home
Barry Humphries (pictured in 2013) has died following complications from hip surgery. The comedy legend was best known for his alter egos Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson
Humphries issued a jovial statement from his hospital bed, via his publicist, thanking fans and well-wishers.
‘Barry would like to thank everybody for the support and best wishes he has received but he would like more and more,’ the statement said. His wife Elizabeth Spender also said that he was ‘doing fine’.
However, he sadly never recovered, and died surrounded by family on Saturday.
Tributes from around the world quickly began to flow for the beloved entertainer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: ‘For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone.
‘But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry.
‘A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace.’
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