Surrounded by her family and friends, actress and singer Belinda Emmett, 32, lost her eight-year battle with cancer at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital at dawn on Saturday, November 11.
Belinda, a popular actress in the TV series Home and Away and All Saints and wife of comedian Rove McManus, the host of Network Ten’s Rove Live, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 when she was just 24.
Though she faced her fight with cancer with grace, dignity and immense courage, hers was not an easy road. A malignant tumor was surgically removed in 1998 and Belinda believed the threat was behind her until a secondary bone cancer was discovered in September 2001, while she was filming the Australian movie, The Nugget.
It was a grim diagnosis. Doctors told Belinda that the cancer would eventually claim her life, but she remained determined to do all she could to beat the disease.
Belinda researched and began a series of natural remedies in conjunction with orthodox treatments, all the while relying on the love and support of her husband Rove, also 32, whom she married in January last year.
Along the way, Belinda discovered, as she told The Weekly in 2002, that within her slender frame she held the heart of a fighter. “There are still ‘Why me?’ days,” she said in one of only two major interviews that she granted. “But then that fighting spirit kicks back in.”
In a statement, Rove thanked Belinda’s fans for their emotional outpouring of support. “I want to extend my sincerest thanks for all of your heartfelt messages and condolences,” he said.
“That Belinda obviously meant so much to so many people genuinely means a lot to me.”
Belinda’s family has requested that donations be directed to the McGrath Foundation, set up by Australian Test cricketer Glenn McGrath and his wife Jane, a breast cancer survivor.
Watch the news report of Belinda Emmett’s passing, hear Sarah Murdoch talking about Belinda’s battle with breast cancer, and flip through a photo gallery of Belinda and Rove over the years.
Learn more about cancer, what you can do to reduce your cancer risk, and find out how you can help.
To send us your thoughts about Belinda Emmett’s passing, email [email protected]
Here’s some of what you’ve had to say:
It’s for her smile that we’ll remember her. That indomitable “smile through the pain” smile; that she never lost. That one so gifted should be taken so early leaves us all lost. Lost for words, lost for reason.
She shone brightly in the short time she was here and has therefore left a bright legacy. To Rove, we can only offer the solidarity of mutual heartache.
Rhonda G.
My only hope in this your time of need, is that you’re surrounded by her trust, her trust that you will all be strong enough to face life without her beside you and be all that this beautiful woman knew you could be. My condolences to all that knew and loved her,
Arohanui J.
Dear Rove and Belinda’s family,
Our hearts go out to you at this sad time. Belinda was a beautiful and courageous person who my sister and I enjoyed watching. Heaven has gained an angel and her beautiful spirit will remain forever on earth. God bless you Rove.
Lucia G.
Like everyone else, we (along with our friends) are shocked at Belinda’s passing. Although none of us had ever actually met her, we all felt that we knew her because of the warmth her presence generated whenever she was beamed into our lounge rooms. Although well aware of the gravity of her illness, we still held out hope that she would somehow beat this. Such were the positive vibes she always exhibited. Her beautiful smile never waned, despite her obvious fragility. She was an inspiration to everyone dealing with adversity.
This lady is a huge loss to everyone who knew her and our hearts (and prayers) are with Rove and the Emmett family.
Margaret and David Y.
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