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Who was Brian Henderson's wife? Late broadcaster feared Mardi will be 'lonely when he's gone'

'Today Show' Brian Henderson host died at the age of 89, one year after declining treatment for renal cancer
PUBLISHED AUG 5, 2021
Former Channel Nine newsreader Brian Henderson and his wife attend the memorial service for Kerry Packer at the Sydney Opera House on February 17, 2006 in Sydney, Australia (Stephane L'hostis/Getty Images)
Former Channel Nine newsreader Brian Henderson and his wife attend the memorial service for Kerry Packer at the Sydney Opera House on February 17, 2006 in Sydney, Australia (Stephane L'hostis/Getty Images)

Brian Henderson, the anchor of the 'Today Show', died at the age of 89, one year after declining treatment for renal cancer, on Wednesday, August 4. The TV icon was Australia's longest-serving newsreader and was praised as "one of the greats" by those who knew him.

In the past few months, we have reported many celebrity deaths. Last month, actor Lisa Banes died after a hit-and-run accident involving an e-scooter. A few days later in June, we reported the death of Ned Beatty, the 'Deliverance' star who died of natural causes. Other celebrities that we lost in the last few months included Chick Vennera, DMX, Jeanette Maus and many more.

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Announcing the veteran anchor's death on Thursday morning, 'Today Show' host Karl Stefanovic said: "Brian was a much-loved member of the Nine family, hosting the Sydney weeknight news from 1957 until his retirement in 2002, becoming Australia's longest-serving news presenter. He also hosted Bandstand for many years. I knew him - an absolute legend, a gentleman and a total professional who provided guidance and inspiration for many generations who followed. We loved him."

Between 1958 until 1972, Henderson hosted the popular Australian version of the music show Bandstand, which debuted now-iconic performers such as Peter Allen and the Bee Gees. Henderson stated his decision to forego further surgical therapy after being diagnosed with kidney cancer in February 2020. As reported by The Sun, he told the Daily Telegraph that he had lived a "wonderful life" and that he wanted to spend his remaining days with his family. He is survived by two children from his first marriage and two children from his second marriage with Mardi Henderson, Nicole, 50, and Jody, 48. All three were there by his bedside when he died. Here is what we know about his wife.

Journalist Brian Henderson poses in the awards room after being inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame at the 2013 Logie Awards at the Crown Palladium on April 7, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

 Who was Brian Henderson's wife?

According to a Trove archived June 22, 1966 article in The Australian Woman's Weekly Marie, Mardi Henderson was born Louise "Mardi" Ozoux. She is the only daughter of Andre Ozoux, of Wahroonga. She turned 19 two days before her wedding on June 14. She and Henderson, then 34, got married at Scots Kirk, Mosman, a Presbyterian Church in New South Wales. Her bridesmaids were Cheryl Clark, Dalys Dawson, Robyn North and Phyllis Scott. Henderson chose Col Joye as his best man, and groomsmen John O'Grady, son of 'They're a Weird Mob' author Nino Culotta, Warwick Freeman and Mardi's brother Andre. 

Her wedding dress was a simple, classical Empire-lined gown, made of Alencon lace with a peau-de-soie train hand-appliqued with the lace. The shoulder-length veil was kept in place by a coronet beaded in crystal and pearls. Her bridesmaids wore peau-de-soie gowns with crystal and pearl beading, the news outlet stated.

Mardi and Brian Henderson at the Channel Nine pre-drinks party for Brian Henderson 'Toasted and Roasted' Special farwell after 46 years in TV in Sydney. (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty Images).

Not much is known about the TV anchor's first wife. However, Mardi was Henderson second wife, and with whom he spent the greater part of his life for 48 long years. Henderson died peacefully this morning, accompanied by Mardi and children Nicole and Jody, according to his family, the Sunday Morning Herald reported. She was the one who sent a text to Nine's Peter Overton to say her husband had died at about 4.50 am.

"She said that he was at peace when he passed away and he was surrounded, he had Mardi and beautiful daughters Jodie and Nicole," Overton said to Nine News. "I've spoken to them this morning and they are naturally as a family just gathered and sitting and reflecting on this man who had, may I say, a wicked sense of humor and was so engaged in the news right up to his passing." Brian offered them so much joy, love, and a fantastic sense of humor, Mardi told the Financial Review

The 88-year-old former broadcaster declined chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, the Canberra Times reported. His main fear was for Mardi, "who may be a bit lonely when I'm gone." "I'm not afraid of death - in fact, I welcome it," he said to The Daily Telegraph in February 2020, the news outlet reported. "I've had a wonderful life. How blessed can you be?"

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