As far as showbiz royalty goes, Bert and Patti Newton were considered the King and Queen of the Australian entertainment industry.
Sadly, the TV legend passed away on October 30, aged 83, but not before making a monumental impact on Aussie showbiz – and his own family.
Bert made his small-screen debut in 1957 working alongside Graham Kennedy on In Melbourne Tonight and from that moment, he dominated every era of television.
In 1989, Bert began hosting The Bert Newton Show, before going on to host Good Morning Australia.
Despite pocketing an eye-watering 15 TV WEEK Logie Awards over the years, Bert’s wife Patti actually won her very own Logie years before her husband in 1967, for Most Popular Female in Victoria.
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Since tying the knot in 1974, the duo had been by each other’s side through the good times and bad.
They also were proud parents to Matthew, and Lauren and grandparents to their daughter’s six kids – son Sam, daughters Eva, and Lola, son Monty, daughter Perla and son Alby.
Bert had previously revealed he was happiest when spending time with his grandchildren.
“They wouldn’t realise it at the moment, but they have made this one of the happiest times of my life,” he told the Herald Sun.
“There is that old saying, the wonderful thing about being a grandfather, or grandparent, is that you give the kids back. But in the case of Patti and myself, we don’t want to,” he added.
Indeed it’s the love of Bert’s grandchildren that motivated the star to amputate his leg this year in a bid to buy more time with his family before his death.
As we remember his incredible life, let’s take a look inside the Newton family photo album.
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Back in the day: Bert and Patti pictured with their two young children Matthew and Lauren.
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The couple welcomed their first child Matthew in 1977.
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The showbiz couple with their newborn daughter Lauren in 1979.
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Following in his father’s footsteps, Matthew Newton went on to have a successful career in the entertainment industry, starring in films like Looking For Alibrandi and My Mother Frank and local TV shows such as All Saints and Underbelly.
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Unfortunately, the 44-year-old fled Australia for New York years ago after allegations that he violently attacked actresses Brooke Satchwell and Rachael Taylor surfaced.
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Matthew pictured with his sister Lauren (L) and then girlfriend Brooke Satchwell at the 2003 TV WEEK Logie Awards.
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Lauren is constantly in touch with her brother Matthew, but has been hurt by his actions.
“As a sister, she’s been embarrassed and shocked over the years thanks to Matthew’s exploits, but she will always love him, despite often being the one left in the middle helping support her parents when he’s suffered another disaster,” a source told Woman’s Day.
The insider added: “They were as close as twins growing up, so she would never write him out of their lives, but the tragic thing is he cannot possibly live near them ever again.”
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Lauren married former Olympic swimmer Matt Welsh in 2006 and the pair share six children together.
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Throwback! “Happy Mother’s Day to my incredible Mum. I could never put into words how much I love her 💜 She is the most beautiful person and I am so lucky to have her as my mum xx,” Lauren penned to Patti on Mother’s Day last year.
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Proud grandparents Bert and Patti with granddaughter Perla at her christening.
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Lauren shares six children with husband Matt Welsh: Sam, 12, daughters Eva, 10, and Lola, seven, son Monty, three, daughter Perla, two, and most recently son Alby.
Bert Newton jokes around with his grandkids
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“My two Moonface boys, love em X,” Patti penned on Instagram alongside this snap of Bert with his mini-me grandson Monty.
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“I miss these wonderful times, they went too fast,” Patti reminisced.
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Despite his many accolades, Bert’s greatest achievement was his family.
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And you can bet the Newtons go all out for their little ones at Christmas time.
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Bert with grandsons Sam (L) and Monty (R).
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Family night out: Bert and Patti took two of the grandkids to the Shrek musical premiere.
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Nothing beats cuddles with grandpa and Perla seemed to agree.
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It is no secret Patti and Bert love being grandparents, with Bert telling the Herald Sun: “They wouldn’t realise it at the moment, but they have made this one of the happiest times of my life.”
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After retiring from TV work, 81-year-old Bert loved nothing more than enjoying quality family time.
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Lauren and Matt with their brood.
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Dapper family outing! Those Newtons sure knew how to work a red carpet.
Bert Newton family
The Newton family Christmas looks like it would be full of far too much food and endless love.
Bert Newton family
For Bert’s birthday, his daughter penned a message alongside this family shot to commemorate his life. Unfortunately, they were separated at the time because of Covid lockdown.
“Happy Birthday to my beautiful dad. It’s hard to not be together today but we are thinking of you and sending so much love ❤,” she wrote.
Bert Newton family
Bert and Patti got in touch with their inner children to take on this Lego project with their grandkids.
Bert Newton family
“46 years with this wonderful man. Happy Anniversary xx,” wrote Patti.
Bert Newton family
Patti hilariously captioned this adorable photo, “Thank you everyone for your prayers and beautiful words.Think Alby has stolen Bert’s hair piece x.”
Bert Newton family
Luckily for Bert’s 85th birthday they could celebrate with all the grandkids.
Bert-Newton-Family
Patti and Bert were all smiles when the grandkids stopped by to visit Bert in hospital.
Bert-Newton-Family
In one of the last photos Patti shared before Bert’s sad death, the TV veteran was captured beaming up from his hospital bed surrounded by the people who meant the most to him: his grandchildren.
Bert-Newton-Family
The Newton family arrived together for Bert’s state funeral in Melbourne on Friday, his six grandchildren rallying around Bert’s widow Patti.
Bert-Newton-Family
Patti put on a brave face as she headed into the cathedral holding hands with one of her beloved granddaughters.
Bert-Newton-Family
The Newton family sat together for the moving state funeral service.
Bert-Newton-Family
Lauren and her family supported a tearful Patti as they led Bert’s coffin out of the cathedral.
Bert-Newton-Family
Holding her granddaughter close, Patti took comfort in her family as Bert’s coffin was taken away.
Bert-Newton-Family
The family released doves after saying goodbye to Bert at the funeral service.
Bert-Newton-Family
Patti shared this tender picture from the hospital for their grandson Monty’s birthday and wrote, “Our darling Monty is 6 today.
He’s such a special boy, and we know Poppy will be looking out for him. Love you Monty xxx.”
Family
A loving family snap shared by Patti.
Grandkids
Celebrating Alby’s birthday.
Throwback
“We miss you and love you ❤️❤️,” Patti captioned this throwback.
The family went to support Patti in Mary Poppins.
Patti and Grandkids
Patti spoke to New Idea about love, life, and family.
“I think because of that, Bert would want me to still be happy and move on with life. That’s what I think is the best thing to do, and you know what? I think we’ve found a new normal and I feel very lucky.”
