Patti Newton has opened up on the early days of her relationship with Bert Newton and the message her dad gave her future husband shortly before he died.
In a candid chat with The Sydney Morning Herald, Patti, 78, revealed that just after the pair became engaged and she told her parents, her father Matthew McGrath died after being allergic to iodine dye following a test.
Patti recalled that Bert always felt her father gave him a message to “look after his daughter” while on his death bed.
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“Bert had been at the hospital with Mum and Dad’s sisters. Dad’s eyes had been closed, but suddenly he opened them, lifted his head, looked at Bert and nodded,” Patti explained.
“Bert always felt it was a message: ‘Look after my girl for me.’ Which he did.”
She said they named their son Matthew, 46, after her late father.
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Patti also spoke about Bert, who died in October 2021, and sweetly said he “will always be the love of my life”.
Just four months ago, Patti paid tribute to her late husband Bert on what would have been his 85th birthday.
The performer shared an adorable snap of herself in Bert’s arms on Instagram.
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“Miss you everyday my beautiful man,” she captioned the photo.
“Happy Birthday always in our hearts, love you.”
Bert died in October 2021 at the age of 83 after a lengthy health battle.
Since his death, Patti has been candid about her struggle with the loss.
Speaking to 9Honey on Mother’s Day in May, the entertainment legend made a heartbreaking admission about her grief.
“I’ll never get over him not being here. I’ve got photographs everywhere and I have a chat with him most nights,” she said.
“We had a wonderful relationship. We had ups and downs like everybody has, but we did have a fabulous marriage.
“We came together and we always had a laugh and I think that’s probably what I miss the most.”
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Patti has kept herself busy since Bert’s death, determined not to become consumed by her grief.
“People say, ‘My mum lost Dad and she never leaves the house, she never puts makeup on, she never wants to go anywhere or do anything and she’s become an old lady’,” she said.
“Well, that isn’t me. Either I’m going to die with Bert or I’m going to keep living, and I think he would want me to keep living.”
Bert and Patti wed in tied the knot in Camberwell on November 9, 1974 and went on to have two children, Lauren and Matthew.
The Australian golden couple were together for 46 years until Bert’s death.