Bob Hawke, Australia’s 23rd Prime Minister, has died at the age of 89. The legendary Labor Party leader led the country and party from 1983 to 1991, and his contribution to public life helped shape modern Australia.
Hawke’s achievements as Prime Minister included modernising the economy and integrating it into the global community, establishing Medicare, and championing environmental issues. He won four federal elections, making him Labor’s longest-serving prime minister and Australia’s third-longest-serving prime minister behind Robert Menzies and John Howard.
Mr Hawke is survived by his wife and biographer Blanche d’Alpuget, and his three children — Susan, Stephen and Rosslyn.

Ms d’Alpuget released a statement saying “he died peacefully at home” and that his children, stepson Louis, and his grandchildren would hold a private funeral ahead of a memorial service in Sydney in the coming weeks.
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“Bob was dearly loved by his family, and so many friends and colleagues,” the statement read. “We will miss him.
“The golden bowl is broken.”
Following news of Hawke’s passing, many have taken to social media to praise the legendary politician.
Even though I never had the chance to serve with him, I always liked and admired Bob Hawke for his progressive record and great sense of humor. My thoughts are with his family and the people of Australia.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) May 16, 2019
Today we lost an Australian legend.
— Tanya Plibersek (@tanya_plibersek) May 16, 2019
Bob Hawke changed everything – for our nation, and for @AustralianLabor.
Bob – you were big, bold and brave.
Medicare, the economy, the Accord, the environment, Australia’s place in the world. pic.twitter.com/X2PLJBouy5
About 2 years ago I had the privilege of interviewing Bob Hawke and John Howard together at Old Parliament House. Mr Hawke was frail. We were on a stage. At the end, Mr Howard helped him down the stairs very gently; it was a lovely moment of mutual grace.
— Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) May 16, 2019
Bob Hawke was the greatest peacetime leader Australia has ever had.
— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) May 16, 2019
As a teenager Bob inspired me, as a PM he guided me.
I will miss him. I wish so very much that Bob had been able to see one more election day.
My condolences to Blanche, his children and grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/4wPHdIeBUZ
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The Bob Hawke I admired was the man who saved the Franklin, the Daintree, Kakadu and protected Antarctica from mining. The Bob Hawke I befriended and laughed with every New Year’s Eve was a fellow music fan with Blanche every summer at Woodford Folk Festival. What a life! pic.twitter.com/vcmEajMY6F
— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) May 16, 2019
RIP Bob Hawke, 89.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 16, 2019
Immortalised by the Guinness Book of Records in 1954 for sculling 2.5 pints of beer in 11 seconds.
He was also a great Prime Minister of Australia. pic.twitter.com/BQuIIzfJ9J
Vale Bob Hawke. A giant among PMs. He had the courage to save the Franklin River when all looked lost. He got World Heritage listing of the Daintree Wet Tropics. He introduced Medicare. Legend. You’ll be missed Silver Bodgie.
— Richard Di Natale (@RichardDiNatale) May 16, 2019
Bob Hawke’s last contribution to his country might just be making us spend the next two days thinking about where we’ve come from, who we really are and who we want to be. #BobHawke
— Neil McMahon (@NeilMcMahon) May 16, 2019
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Grace Back is a journalist and was formerly the Digital Culture Editor across ELLE and marie claire Australia. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.
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