Obituary of Blanche d'Alpuget, writer and wife of Bob Hawke
Consensus Summary
Blanche d'Alpuget, an acclaimed Australian writer and widow of former prime minister Bob Hawke, died at age 82 from complications of influenza. Known for her biographies, novels, and essays, she was best recognized for her award-winning biography of Hawke, which she wrote before marrying him in 1995. The couple first met in Jakarta in 1970, and their relationship began while Hawke was still married to his first wife, Hazel. D'Alpuget was a prolific author, publishing works on historical fiction, political biographies, and even detective novels, often incorporating themes of love and power. She was also known for her strong personality, wit, and refusal to be defined solely as Hawke’s wife, maintaining her own career and identity. Her death in 2026 follows Hawke’s in 2019, and she was survived by her son Louis Pratt and three stepchildren. Tributes highlighted her intellect, warmth, and contributions to literature, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling her a 'true one-off.'
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Blanche d'Alpuget died at age 82
- She was born in Sydney and lived in England, France, Indonesia, and Malaysia
- She was an acclaimed author of biographies, novels, and essays
- Her biography of Bob Hawke won the New South Wales Premier's Award
- She married Bob Hawke in 1995
- Bob Hawke died in 2019
- She met Bob Hawke in Jakarta in 1970
- She wrote a biography of Sir Richard Kirby published in 1977
- She attended the state funeral of Graham Richardson in December 2025
- She gave an interview to ABC Nightlife in November 2025
- She was survived by her son Louis Pratt and three Hawke stepchildren
- She died from complications of influenza
- She refused to write her own autobiography, instead appointing Derek Riley
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- She described her biography of Hawke as 'grotesque' in his eyes, and he called some images 'grotesque'
- She held Hawke’s hand when he died, describing a moment of 'intense, uplifting joy' as he took his last breath
- She attended Hawke’s 80th birthday celebrations on Wednesday, December 9, 2009
- She was pictured at the Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre in Sydney in 2022
- She said she 'used to feel very sad for Hazel' after Hawke divorced her first wife
- She wrote an updated biography of Hawke in 2019 to clarify his relationship with Paul Keating
- She refused to write her own memoirs, instead appointing Derek Riley to complete the task
- She described her fictional characters as 'real' to her, saying they were 'like people I knew intensely well'
- She considered writing about King Richard I but disliked him and did not proceed
- She said her headstone was already next to Hawke’s and wanted her casket to be red inside and blue/white outside
- She told ABC’s 7.30 after Hawke’s 2019 death that she had her own sense of identity before marrying him
- She said she 'figured that was their problem' when people disapproved of her relationship with Hawke
- She described her love affair with Hawke as enhancing her life and making negativity irrelevant
- She said she 'didn’t believe my husband all the time' and called it 'unwise' for a wife to do so
- She was critical of a made-for-television film about her and Hawke, calling it 'frightful'
- She laughed a lot and focused on the good in people, rarely complaining about weaknesses
- She was convinced of an afterlife resembling eastern spiritualism, though she also asked for a Catholic bishop to visit Hawke
- She was an enormous source of advice and comfort to Hawke, discussing spirituality and life after death with him
- She was delighted with Hawke’s reconciliation with Paul Keating and spent time discussing their past friendship
- She loved her son Louis deeply, who lived in the boathouse at the end of their garden for companionship
- She stayed with Hawke for his last weekend before Louis’s wedding on 10 May 2019
- She lived alone in a Sydney apartment overlooking Hyde Park after Hawke’s death
- She believed Hawke would be reunited with her in the afterlife and resume their romance
- She was described as a 'fierce intellect' who saw the good in people
- She was an enthusiast for Hawke’s reconciliation with Paul Keating
- She was born in Sydney and had French and English heritage
- She published more than a dozen books, including Hawke’s biography and historical novels
- She wrote a 'racy detective novel' most recently
- She said 'All my books have had quite a bit of sex in them. Without that, we’re not here'
- She was described as a 'little bird of paradise' in gold high-heeled sandals, tight black slacks, and a mink jacket by Susan Ryan
- Her family described her as a woman who 'lived life on her own terms'
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC says she died on 'Wednesday' (unspecified date), while the Guardian and SBS specify she died at age 82 without a day
- The ABC says she met Hawke again 'some six years later' (1976) after their first meeting in 1970, but the Guardian says they began an affair in the 1970s without specifying the year
- The ABC says she wrote a 'five-part series' about Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, while the Guardian mentions 'hefty historical novels' without specifying the format
- The ABC says she attended Hawke’s 80th birthday on December 9, 2009, but the Guardian does not mention this event
- The ABC says she gave an interview to ABC Nightlife in 'last November' (2025), while the Guardian does not mention this specific interview
Source Articles
'Never nasty, always naughty': Blanche d'Alpuget was far more than just Bob Hawke's wife
For years Blanche d'Alpuget made headlines for her love affair with Bob Hawke, but the award-winning writer put little energy into worrying about what others thought of her.
Blanche d’Alpuget wasn’t just Bob Hawke’s wife. She was a fierce intellect who only saw the good in people | Craig Emerson
Blanche was an enthusiast for Bob’s reconciliation with Paul Keating – and delighted in the restoration of their friendship Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Blanche d’Alpuget laughed a lot. She dwelled on the good in people, rarely complaining about the bad or commenting on what she might have considered their weaknesses. To remember Blanche as Bob Hawke’s wife, while accurate, also diminishes her. She was a proli
Blanche d'Alpuget, acclaimed writer and wife of Bob Hawke, dies at 82
D'Alpuget's lust for life endured into her senior years. Her family described her as a woman who "lived life on her own terms".
Blanche d'Alpuget, author and wife to Bob Hawke, dies at 82
Blanche d'Alpuget, the Australian writer and widow of former prime minister Bob Hawke, has died following complications from influenza.
Blanche d’Alpuget, writer and wife of Bob Hawke, dies aged 82
In her final statement, d’Alpuget said ‘our highest calling and greatest achievement is love’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Blanche d’Alpuget, Australian writer and widow of former prime minister Bob Hawke, has died at the age of 82. D’Alpuget was an acclaimed writer, whose work includes the highly regarded biography of Hawke that won the New South Wales premier’s award. Continue reading...
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