'HE LIVED EVERY MOMENT'

His voice comforted millions, but the complex man behind the golden microphone had his private battles

- Phillip Koch

When John’s huge heart finally gave out and he died peacefully at his Sydney home at the grand age of 90 last week, everyone from political leaders to Hollywood superstars paid tribute.

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating called him “the world’s greatest broadcaster”. While close friend and neighbour Russell Crowe called him a mentor. But many friends also acknowledged that he was also a deeply complex man who secretly suffered terrible bouts of depression, that sometimes made life very difficult for those he loved and cherished.

Former Ten newsreader Tim Webster says he knew when he got called in at the last minute to present The John Laws Show because John was unwell, that it was often because of depression so debilitating that he “just couldn’t get out of bed”.

“It was something he only ever spoke about in later years, but it was a condition his six children and beloved third wife, Caroline, knew about only too well. A regretful John even admitted he could have been a better father when Woman’s Day interviewed him 25 years ago.