The 49-year-old media personality has temporarily taken a step back from her Mornings hosting commitments to be with her family during this tragic time.
The sad news was confirmed by a Channel Nine spokesperson to The Daily Mail, who revealed the Queensland local passed away peacefully after a long battle with illness.
The 80-year-old’s death notice was listed in the local paper and read: “Kruger, Adrian Lewis Late of Oxenford and formerly of Tamborine and Waterford, passed away peacefully after a long illness on June 4th, 2015, aged 80 years.”
Adrian’s funeral will be held on the Gold Coast on June 12, with family members requesting donations to the Heart Foundation in lieu of flowers.
In 2010 the mother-of-one, who welcomed daughter Maggie in January, addressed her father’s ongoing health problems in an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day.
“It was a real worry that we were going to lose him any second. He couldn’t walk more than a few steps without feeling breathless. He deteriorated rapidly in the past few months. It was a matter of life or death for him to have that valve replaced,” Sonia explained.
Before adding: “He’s always been the life and soul of the party and all of a sudden we thought we were going to lose him. It was such a shock.”
While Sonia hasn’t said anything about the difficult time, her sister-in-law Angie took to social media to pay tribute to her late father-in-law.
“Today, we lost a great soul. A gentleman, hard worker, and loving family man. Known to my boys as Poppy Quadbike. I’m so proud that they had the opportunity to meet you and I’m also so proud that they carry on your family name. You will be sadly missed,” she lovingly penned.
“We will cherish the memories you have filled our hearts with forever. Rest in peace now, Adrian,” Angie’s heartfelt post concluded.
The heartbreaking news come off the cusp of Sonia welcoming her first child with partner Craig McPherson earlier in the year.
Our thoughts are with the star and her family at this difficult time.
