Former Labor senator and well-known political commentator Graham Richardson has passed away at the age of 76. He fell ill with the flu in September, which developed into pneumonia, and died early Saturday morning around 3:50 am.
Before his passing, Richardson told his wife Amanda that he wanted to live until their son, D'Arcy, completed his HSC exams. D'Arcy finished his final French exam on Thursday prior to his father's death.
The news was shared on 2GB radio by host Ben Fordham, who informed listeners of Richardson's passing after receiving permission from the family.
"D'Arcy and Amanda have asked me to share the news with everyone that, sadly, Richo has passed away in the early hours of this morning," Fordham said.
"In the past few weeks, he's had a bout of influenza and then pneumonia, he also had a little stint on dialysis, trying to clean up his blood a little bit."
Richardson had long battled health issues, including a cancer diagnosis in 1999 and the removal of his bowel in 2016.
He is survived by his wife Amanda and their son D'Arcy.
Graham Richardson and his wife Amanda at a movie premiere in November 2015
Author's summary: Graham Richardson, a respected Labor figure and commentator, passed away at 76 after battling serious illness, fulfilling a heartfelt promise to see his son finish school.