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| Bob Hawke, the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia, has died aged 89. (AAP) |
Bob Hawke, the Former Australian Prime Minister died at the age of 89.
"We lost today Bob Hawke, a great Australian - many would like to say
he is the greatest Australian in the postwar period". His wife, Blanche
D'Alpuget, said in a statement on Thursday.
His wife said he died quietly at his home in Sydney and was being cared for
by his wife and three children.
D'Alpuget said,: "that he and his successor, Paul Keating, have known
the modernization of the Australian economy and paved the way for an
unprecedented period of economic growth, And employment creation".
She added, that the family would hold a special funeral and memorial service
in Sydney in the coming weeks.
Hawke was Australia's Prime Minister from 1983 to 1991, winning four
elections and becoming the country's third longest-serving leader.
Hawke was married twice in his life - first, to Hazel (nee Masterson) in 1956. They had four children together before divorcing in 1995. Hazel Hawke died in 2013.
He subsequently married Ms d'Alpuget, an accomplished writer, that same year, following a long and sporadic affair between the two, who had known each other since the 1970s.
Hawke was married twice in his life - first, to Hazel (nee Masterson) in 1956. They had four children together before divorcing in 1995. Hazel Hawke died in 2013.
He subsequently married Ms d'Alpuget, an accomplished writer, that same year, following a long and sporadic affair between the two, who had known each other since the 1970s.
Hawke held the world record for sculling a yard of beer in the quickest time
when he was a student at Oxford in 1995.
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| bob hawke beer record in 1995 |
Bob Hawke was a charisma leader and his popularity among Australians gave him the status of popular hero, especially among those who loved beer and sports
Hawke wrote in his autobiography: "This was the reason why some of my
Australian brothers loved me more than anything else."
In a video on YouTube Bob Hawke shows up at the age of 82 drinking a full
pint of beer, In a cricket match in Sydney,in 2012 after a fan gave him a
beer and he says "One for the country".
The video has more than a million views.
Hawke was a key economic reformer who, along with then Treasury Secretary
Paul Keating, Liberalized the Australian economy and made a historic
decision to float the Australian dollar. According to
CNN
He also brought comprehensive health care to all Australian citizens and established the medical care system in 1984.
Hawke focused on indigenous affairs during his years in office and briefly returned to political conflict in 2008 to witness a long-awaited apology to the indigenous community by then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for years of ill-treatment.
Keating, Hawk's right-hand man during nine years of economic reform, eventually took over as Labor leader in a 1991 coup.
But Hawke remained one of the most popular prime ministers in Australia. He was regularly invited to drink beer quickly in major sporting events by attendees, always to huge cheers and applause.
He also brought comprehensive health care to all Australian citizens and established the medical care system in 1984.
Hawke focused on indigenous affairs during his years in office and briefly returned to political conflict in 2008 to witness a long-awaited apology to the indigenous community by then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for years of ill-treatment.
Keating, Hawk's right-hand man during nine years of economic reform, eventually took over as Labor leader in a 1991 coup.
But Hawke remained one of the most popular prime ministers in Australia. He was regularly invited to drink beer quickly in major sporting events by attendees, always to huge cheers and applause.
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