Derryn Hinch, the famously outspoken Australian broadcaster and former federal senator, has passed away at the age of 82. His death, confirmed by a former colleague, followed a period of declining health. Hinch, known for his distinctive voice and often controversial public life, leaves behind a complex personal history marked by numerous relationships and marriages, several of which ended amidst public scrutiny.

A Career Defined by Controversy and Connection

Throughout his extensive career spanning over four decades in radio and television, Derryn Hinch cultivated a public persona that was both admired and debated. Born in New Zealand, he became a prominent figure in Australian media, known for his direct style and willingness to tackle sensitive issues. His broadcasting career included stints in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as hosting various television programs. Beyond his media work, Hinch ventured into politics, serving as a federal senator for three years after his election in 2016. During his time in the Senate, he advocated for reforms in the criminal justice system, including the establishment of a national child sex offenders register.

Hinch’s life was not without its legal challenges. In 1987, he served 12 days in prison for contempt of court after reporting on a priest’s prior convictions for indecent assault while the priest was awaiting trial for further offenses. Later, in 2011, he was sentenced to five months of home detention for breaching suppression orders related to sex offenders.

In 2017, Hinch publicly shared a personal trauma, revealing that he had been molested as a nine-year-old boy in New Zealand. This disclosure added another layer to his public narrative, highlighting the personal struggles that can lie beneath a formidable public facade.

A Tapestry of Romantic Relationships

Derryn Hinch’s personal life was as eventful as his professional one, characterized by a series of significant romantic relationships and marriages. His public profile often meant these relationships were subject to intense media attention.

Lynda Stoner: A Rekindled Flame

In the later years of his life, Hinch was in a relationship with actress and animal rights activist Lynda Stoner. The couple had been engaged in the early 1980s but parted ways due to the pressures of Hinch’s high-profile lifestyle and the intense media spotlight. They reconnected in 2016, with Stoner describing their renewed romance as a “raging inferno.” She recalled their initial connection in the 1980s, noting Hinch’s advocacy for animal welfare, which impressed her. Hinch himself reflected on their first engagement, attributing its dissolution to Stoner’s shyness and her being overwhelmed by his “flamboyant and crazy” life at the time, which included luxury cars and constant media attention. Despite the heartbreak of their broken engagement, they maintained a friendship that eventually blossomed into a later-life romance.

Natasha Chadwick: Controversy Over Health

Hinch’s relationship with TV producer Natasha Chadwick, who was 36 years his junior, garnered significant attention, particularly following their split. Chadwick publicly criticized Hinch on social media for what she perceived as him downplaying his alcohol consumption after receiving a life-saving liver transplant. She expressed concern that he was not respecting the gift of the organ donor, alleging he was drinking more than he admitted. Hinch had stated he occasionally drank diluted wine at special occasions, but Chadwick countered that his drinking was not always diluted or limited to celebrations. She also alluded to his political career, suggesting that “lies are acceptable.” The couple met in 2015, and Chadwick, then 35, had previously stated that she was comfortable with their age difference, having always dated older men.

Chanel Hayton: A Seven-Year Marriage

Derryn Hinch was married to Chanel Hayton for seven years. The couple separated in 2013, the year before Hinch announced their split. Unconventionally, during their marriage, they resided in separate apartments within the same South Yarra building in Melbourne, choosing not to live together.

Jacki Weaver: A Deep and Enduring Connection

Perhaps one of his most significant relationships was with Australian actress Jacki Weaver. Hinch and Weaver were married in 1983, shortly after his engagement to Lynda Stoner ended. Their marriage lasted until 1998, though they later renewed their vows before their eventual divorce. Hinch clarified that they did not marry twice but did renew vows shortly before their mid-90s divorce. He spoke fondly of Weaver, describing her as a great friend and expressing happiness that she was supportive of his rekindled romance with Lynda Stoner. Weaver, in turn, spoke of Hinch with affection, recalling the moment she fell in love with him and noting his feminist views. She also expressed a shared desire for children that never materialized during their relationship.

Earlier Marriages

Hinch’s marital history also includes a marriage to editor Lana Wells in the 1960s and a union with flight attendant Eve Carpenter, which lasted from 1972 to 1980. These earlier relationships formed part of the complex personal history that preceded his more widely publicized later romances.

Reflections on Love and Life

Reflecting on his numerous relationships, Derryn Hinch once told the Sydney Morning Herald that he believed people change and drift apart over time. He expressed a fondness for being in love and committing to a partner, stating, “I’m a bit of a mush bucket and I like being in love. I like committing to somebody.” He believed he brought a sense of humor to his relationships.

In the months leading up to his death, Hinch had shared updates on his health, acknowledging he was “not very well” but remained positive and engaged with life, enjoying outings and time with friends. He reported improvements, including increased walking and recovering from leg surgery, adapting to his “new normal.” He was also believed to be working on an updated autobiography, intended for release around Christmas.

Derryn Hinch’s passing marks the end of a distinctive voice in Australian public life, remembered for his broadcasting prowess, political endeavors, and a personal life that, like his career, was often in the public eye.