Who is Michael Gudinski's wife Sue Gudinski? Australian music promoter was 'adoring husband' before death at 68
Michael Gudinski has passed away at the age of 68 on March 1, 2021. Born on August 22, 1952, the legendary music entrepreneur was well-known within the Australian music industry as well as globally. The shocking news of his demise was confirmed on his company, Mushroom Group's website.
It read, "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Gudinski AM overnight. The much-loved Australian music legend died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Melbourne, Australia." The music promoter who founded Mushroom Group is survived by his wife, Sue, the couple's children, Matt and Kate, and the couple's grandchildren.
Who was Michael Gudinski?
Known for signing Kylie Minogue in the year 1987, Gudinski has worked with big stars in the music industry like Eskimo Joe Split Enz, The Choirboys, Skyhooks, and many others. They added a bit about the legends career writing, "Michael Gudinski was a key figure in shaping the Australian music industry. He founded the Mushroom Group in 1972 at just 20 years old, which flourished into Australia’s largest independent entertainment group covering touring, record labels, publishing, merchandising, booking agencies, film and television production, and creative services."
It continued, "Some of Australia’s most iconic albums have been released under one of his Mushroom Group record labels. His touring company Frontier Touring is Australia’s leading promoter, touring the biggest names in global music since its inception in 1979.”
Who is Michael Gudinski's wife?
Michael Gudinski married Sue Gudinski and the couple lived happily together for many years. Gudinski's family loved him "immensely" and the entrepreneur "adored" his wife Sue. The pair have two children, daughter Kate — who was signed to Liberation Music in mid-2004 — and son Matt. Their son Matt is married to his partner Cara and daughter Kate exchanged vows with her husband Andrew.
Gudinski is also survived by his grandchildren, Nina-Rose and Lulu. "They meant everything to him, and he was immensely proud of them," the statement said. Not many details are known about the pair, but they were often seen with each other at high-profile events and lovingly shared a family together.
Jimmy Barnes, who shared a tribute with multiple posts on Twitter also spoke of the couple. "He was there for everyone that needed him. The music business turned, grew and moved forward in Australia because of Michael. He was a force of nature, a giant of a man. His boundless enthusiasm breathed life into our music scene. But that was just one side of Michael. He was a staunch friend, a loving father, and grandfather and an adoring husband to Sue," the post read.
Today the heart of Australian music was ripped out. I felt it, my family felt it, the music business felt it , the world felt it. Michael Gudinski was not only that heart but he was my friend. (Tweet 1/5) pic.twitter.com/Mcck1GOcrX
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) March 2, 2021
His boundless enthusiasm breathed life into our music scene. But that was just one side of Michael. He was a staunch friend, a loving father and grandfather and an adoring husband to Sue. (Tweet 4/5) pic.twitter.com/9LuWeYDmYL
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) March 2, 2021
Russell Crowe and David Campbell among those who paid respects
Gudinski, according to the Sydney Morning Herald made BRW magazine's entertainment rich list every year ranking number 4 with a net worth of $19 million in 2011. He is obviously missed by many as shock spread through the industry upon hearing of his passing. Actor Russell Crowe tweeted, "RIP Michael Gudinski. Seems almost impossible. A towering figure on the Australian cultural landscape. I’m not sure we ever agreed on anything, except maybe @edsheeran. Still didn’t stop us from being mates for 30 years. I’m going to miss him deeply. My love to his family."
Singer Dannii Minogue wrote, "Australia's music legend, and a dear friend. Michael Gudinski's love and passion for music and family is like no other. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity he gave me to release my first single and album, and the journey that it took me on for so many years."
David Campbell added, "This is truly devastating news. Not just for the music industry which he built nearly single-handedly, but for his family, who he adored. A giant. Michael Gudinski dead aged 68, industry in shock | Herald Sun." Kylie Minogue also paid tribute, writing, "MICHAEL GUDINSKI - Legend. Legacy. LOVE. A Titan of the music industry. One of a kind and forever family to me. My heart is broken and I can’t believe he’s gone. Irreplaceable and unforgettable, I’ll always love you ‘The Big G’."
RIP Michael Gudinski. Seems almost impossible. A towering figure on the Australian cultural landscape.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) March 2, 2021
I’m not sure we ever agreed on anything, except maybe @edsheeran . Still didn’t stop us from being mates for 30 years. I’m going to miss him deeply. My love to his family.
He was always there cheering me on, and I will never forget that. There are so many beautiful moments to cherish spent with Michael and his family, surrounded by music and the joy it brings. The loss will be felt forever, but his legacy will also live on forever.
— Dannii Minogue (@DanniiMinogue) March 2, 2021
This is truly devastating news. Not just for the music industry which he built nearly single handedly, but for his family, who he adored. A giant. Michael Gudinski dead aged 68, industry in shock | Herald Sun https://t.co/Z8nOGwFpQf
— David Campbell OAM (@DavidCampbell73) March 1, 2021
MICHAEL GUDINSKI - Legend. Legacy. LOVE. A Titan of the music industry. One of a kind and forever family to me. My heart is broken and I can’t believe he’s gone. Irreplaceable and unforgettable, I’ll always love you ‘The Big G’. pic.twitter.com/vCk8BcpZbR
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) March 2, 2021
Many others took to the social media channel to speak of Gudinski's legacy, with one writing, "Fkkkking hell this is awful news about Michael Gudinski. Always loved watching him work a room, gliding between handshakes, personal jokes, scathing asides & dropping trinkets of knowledge. Absolute gent. And what a legacy. #RIPMichaelGudinski." Another added, "Sad to hear about the passing of Michael Gudinski I met him once & that was over dinner with Tom Jones & Joe Esposito (Elvis’ best friend). What a memorable night it was listening to 3 legends talk about the fun memories of their careers. R.I.P."
Another added, "Michael Gudinski touched so many people with his drive. Shattered he won’t be here to help and guide us. Of late he was challenging us to think big with yet another new initiative and I cherish those moments so much. Love and condolences to Sue and Gudinski family. The Smith’s"
Fkkkking hell this is awful news about Michael Gudinski. Always loved watching him work a room, gliding between handshakes, personal jokes, scathing asides & dropping trinkets of knowledge.
— Mikey Cahîll (@JoeyLightbulb) March 2, 2021
Absolute gent.
And what a legacy. #RIPMichaelGudinski pic.twitter.com/BOfgkmEIDe
Sad to hear about the passing of Michael Gudinski 😔 I met him once & that was over dinner with Tom Jones & Joe Esposito (Elvis’ best friend). What a memorable night it was listening to 3 legends talk about the fun memories of their careers. R.I.P 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/F0qbqOWATk
— Rob Shehadie (@robshehadie) March 2, 2021
Michael Gudinski touched so many people with his drive. Shattered he won’t be here to help and guide us. Of late he was challenging us to think big with yet another new initiative and I cherish those moments so much. Love and condolences to Sue and Gudinski family. The Smith’s
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithesg) March 2, 2021