Placeholder Content Image

Country singer dies aged 79

<p>Country singer Kinky Friedman has passed away aged 79. </p> <p>A post shared on his social media account confirmed the news that he was surrounded by family and friends before his death. </p> <p>“Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family and friends,” the post read. </p> <p>“Kinkster endured tremendous pain and unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.”</p> <p>The musician, whose real name is Richard Samet Friedman, developed a cult following for his unique and quirky approach to country and Western music. </p> <p>His first album <em>Sold American</em> was released in 1973, and he also toured with Bob Dylan on his Rolling Thunder Revue. </p> <p>Outside of his music career, Friedman was also a writer, penning detective novels and a working as a columnist for Texas Monthly.</p> <p>He published his first book <em>Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola: A Novel </em>in 1994 and ten years later published his second one, <em>Kinky Friedman’s Guide to Texas Etiquette: Or How to Get to Heaven or Hell Without Going Through Dallas-Fort Worth</em>.</p> <p>In 2006 he dabbled in politics, running for the Governor of Texas and received 12.6 per cent of the votes among six candidates. </p> <p>He also helped run the Echo Hill Gold Star Camp for children, with his sister Marcie. </p> <p>Kent Perkins, a longtime friend of Friedman, paid tribute to the musician on social media. </p> <p>“Somewhere in heaven,” he wrote, “I’m sure there’s a quiet corner with a big easy chair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books, and a few old dogs wagging their tails to the faint smell of cigar smoke.”</p> <p><em>Image: Rick Diamond/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Titanic star dies suddenly at 79

<p>British actor Bernard Hill has died suddenly at the age of 79 just days before a scheduled appearance at a fan convention. </p> <p>His agent announced his death in the early hours of Sunday morning, although no cause of death has been shared. </p> <p>Hill was most known for his role of Captain Edward Smith in the Oscar-winning 1997 film <em>Titanic</em> opposite Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, and earned global recognition playing Theoden, King of Rohan, in two of the three <em>The Lord Of The Rings</em> films.</p> <p>The actor was scheduled to appear at Liverpool’s Comic-Con over the weekend but cancelled at the last minute, as the convention shared on X. </p> <p>When news broke of the actor's passing the organisers of the event took to social media to lead the tributes. </p> <p>“We’re heartbroken to hear the news of Bernard Hill’s passing,” they wrote on X.</p> <p>“A great loss. Thinking of his family at this very sad time, and wishing them a lot of strength.”</p> <p>Hill's <em>Lord of the Rings</em> co-star Elijah Wood shared his condolences, adding a moving quote from the film they starred in together. </p> <p>"So long to our friend, our king, Bernard Hill. We will never forget you," he wrote. “For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning.”</p> <p>In the hours after his death, four <em>Lord of the Rings</em> actors who play the iconic hobbits took to the stage of Liverpool Comic Con to pay their respects to Bernard.</p> <p>Sean Astin, known for his role in the trilogy of Samwise Gamgee, said on stage, "He was intrepid, he gruff, he was irascible."</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">Echoing Sean's words, Billy Boyd who played Pippin in the films, said, “We were watching the movies and I said to Dom, I don’t think anyone spoke Tolkien’s words as great as Bernard did.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Robert De Niro welcomes seventh child at 79

<p dir="ltr">Hollywood star Robert De Niro has revealed that he is now the proud father of seven. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Academy-award winning actor was on a promotional run for his new film, <em>About My Father</em>, and chatting to <em>ET Canada </em>when he made the unexpected announcement. </p> <p dir="ltr">Reporter Brittnee Blair laid the groundwork when she mentioned that she knew De Niro had six kids. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Seven, actually,” he corrected her. “I just had a baby.”</p> <p dir="ltr">De Niro shares his eldest children - 51-year-old Drena and 46-year-old Raphael - with his first wife, Diahnne Abbott. He then welcomed twins Julian and Aaron - who are 27 - with then-girlfriend Toukie Smith, before having 24-year-old Elliot and 11-year-old Helen Grace with ex-wife Grace Hightower.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>ET Canada</em> confirmed the news of De Niro’s seventh addition with the actor’s representatives, although they weren’t able to dig up any more information on who the new baby’s mother might be. </p> <p dir="ltr">Many have speculated, however, that he shares his latest addition with his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. She drew attention as recently as March 2023, sparking rumours when she was spotted leaving a restaurant in California, with what some suspected to be a visible baby bump. </p> <p dir="ltr">De Niro and Chen first crossed paths on the set of the 2015 film <em>The Intern</em>, and have reportedly been together since 2021.</p> <p dir="ltr">And while seventh time may be the charm, De Niro is the first to note that even with so much practice under his belt, he still doesn’t consider himself to be a “cool dad”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m okay,” he said to Blair. “You know, my kids disagree with me at times, and they’re respectful. My daughter, she’s 11, she gives me grief sometimes and I argue with her. I adore her, but, you know. </p> <p dir="ltr">“And my youngest now, that’ll be more to come. But, that’s what it is.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He also took the time to tell her he believes very much in “being loving” with his children, though he knew the time and place for being “stern about stuff”. </p> <p dir="ltr">As he put it, “there’s no way around it with kids. I don’t like to have to lay down the law and stuff like that. But, [sometimes] you just have no choice.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And any parent, I think, would say the same thing. You always want to do the right thing by the children and give them the benefit of the doubt but sometimes you can’t.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty </em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Jerry Springer dies at age 79

<p>Jerry Springer has died at the age of 79. </p> <p>The US talk show host passed away peacefully in his home in Chicago on Thursday while surrounded by his closest loved ones. </p> <p>According to reports from <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2023/04/27/jerry-springer-dead-dies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>TMZ</em></a>, Springer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few short months ago, before his health took a turn for the worse just days before his death. </p> <p>So sudden was his health deterioration, Springer was still working up until a month ago appearing on radio for a local station in Cincinnati.</p> <p>Springer’s friend Jene Galvin spoke on behalf of Jerry's family, confirming the news of his passing. </p> <p>“Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word,” she said.</p> <p>“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humour will live on.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Take care of yourself and each other.” - Jerry Springer </p> <p>In loving memory, 1944 - 2023 <a href="https://t.co/drqrIaeA0z">pic.twitter.com/drqrIaeA0z</a></p> <p>— Jerry Springer Show (@SpringerTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpringerTV/status/1651636425417269273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Jerry began his early career as a politician, becoming mayor of Cincinnati in 1977 when he began dreaming of roles in higher political offices. </p> <p>However, his shift into TV made him a household name, as <em>The Jerry Springer Show</em> catapulted him to stardom when it began in 1991, and would stay on the air until 2018.</p> <p>The daytime show was known for its wild outbursts and unusual guests, and became so popular in the late ‘90s it would beat Oprah Winfrey’s show in the ratings in several US cities.</p> <p>Springer is survived by his daughter, Katie Springer, 47, who he had with his ex-wife Micki Velton. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

"There are no words": Fleetwood Mac star dies aged 79

<p dir="ltr">Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Christine McVie has passed away aged 79 following a short bout of illness, according to the family.</p> <p dir="ltr">McVie died in hospital and surrounded by family.</p> <p dir="ltr">"On behalf of Christine McVie's family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine's death. She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness," the family said in a statement, per <em>Variety</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"She was in the company of her family. We kindly ask that you respect the family's privacy at this extremely painful time, and we would like everyone to keep Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being, and revered musician who was loved universally. RIP Christine McVie."</p> <p dir="ltr">In the wake of the news, Fleetwood Mac shared a heartfelt tribute and paid their respects to McVie on social media.</p> <p dir="ltr">"There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure,” the <a href="https://twitter.com/fleetwoodmac/status/1598036525903941632" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweet</a> read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed."</p> <p dir="ltr">McVie joined Fleetwood Mac as a permanent member in 1971, four years after the British-American rock band was founded in London.</p> <p dir="ltr">The singer was behind some of the band’s best hits, including <em>Little Lies</em>, <em>Everywhere</em>, <em>Don’t Stop</em>, <em>Say You Love Me</em> and <em>Songbird</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The band, consisting of Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, went on to sell more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful bands of all time.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nicks also took to Instagram with a tribute to her bandmate, sharing a handwritten message.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f7504e75-7fff-327e-e93a-29c23448ed57"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975 had passed away,” her message began.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClmZfBjvhlx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClmZfBjvhlx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Stevie Nicks (@stevienicks)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t even know she was ill… until late Saturday night. I wanted to be in London; I wanted to get to London - but we were told to wait. So, since Saturday, one song has been swirling around in my head, over and over and over.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I thought I might possibly get to sing it to her, and so, I’m singing it to her now. I always knew I would need <span style="text-decoration: underline;">these words</span> one day,” she continued, followed by lyrics of <em>It’s All I Can Do</em> by The Cars.</p> <p dir="ltr">McVie’s passing comes two years after Peter Green, the band’s co-founder and guitarist, died aged 73.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-093bb7db-7fff-5ff2-4967-3b3793bbab44"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

A life in pictures: Celebrating musical legend Ringo Starr

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, Ringo Starr rose to fame in the early ‘60s as the drummer of the legendary rock group The Beatles. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The veteran musician officially joined the group in 1962 after replacing Pete Best. Quickly a “Beatlemania” took hold and they climbed to the top of the charts all across the world with their single </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">I Want To Hold Your Hand. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When I was 13, I only wanted to be a drummer,” Ringo said on his </span><a href="http://www.ringostarr.com/about"><span style="font-weight: 400;">website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year, the former Beatles member, with the help of his friend, Sheila E. Richard Lewis, is hoping to create “a wave of peace and love across the planet.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For his birthday, the 79-year-old sent an invitation to fans to join him on the streets of Chicago to celebrate his birthday by saying or thinking words of “peace and love”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve said it before but I really can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday, or a better gift I could ask for, than peace and love,” Starr said in a statement. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s so great how every year it keeps growing, with the wave of peace and love starting in the morning on July 7 in Australia and ending in Hawaii, with celebrations in all the time zones in between. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am so happy to be back at Capitol Records, and for our great sponsors who are carrying the message of peace and love around the world, like the David Lynch Foundation, Life is Good, SiriusXM, Modern Drummer and Starbucks. I also want to thank each and everyone of you for continuing to help spread peace and love, Ringo.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scroll through the gallery above to see Ringo Starr’s life in pictures. </span></p>

Art

Placeholder Content Image

The sweet secret to couple's 79-year-long marriage

<p><span>When it comes to maintaining a happy relationship, every couple has their own trick. But for one pair, the secret may be just as simple as sharing chocolate every day.</span></p> <p><span>Curtis, 100, and Virginia Peters, 103, have been married for 79 years – and their long-lasting union has been credited to their shared love of Hershey’s chocolate.</span></p> <p><span>According to Susan Peters Cathoir, one of the couple’s five children, the chocolate brand “melts in their mouth just the way they want it”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">The sweetest love story might just come down to chocolate. <a href="https://t.co/Pr4aduvyF7">https://t.co/Pr4aduvyF7</a></p> — TODAY Food (@TODAYFood) <a href="https://twitter.com/TODAYFood/status/1132345589264470017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><span>She told <a href="https://www.today.com/food/couple-credits-love-chocolate-secret-their-79-year-marriage-t154472"><em>TODAY Food</em></a> that her parents, who tied the knot in 1940, kept the classic candy as a staple in their house, with stocks of Hershey’s Kisses in candy bowls and bars in the kitchen. They would also melt the bars for the family to dip their ice cream into.</span></p> <p><span>The couple has continued to stick to their daily ritual of sharing a chocolate bar, even after they moved to a nursing home. Knowing their parents’ love for the brand, the children would bring a lot of chocolate with them on their visits so the Peters can enjoy them.</span></p> <p><span>“I always leave chocolate in their drawer so in case I can’t make it or I’m late, one of the [nurses] can make sure they still get it,” said Cathoir.</span></p> <p><span>According to the daughter, her father will open the bar’s packaging and break off a piece for his wife, or a nurse will feed off a bite to each of them.</span></p> <p><span>“He shares it with her all the time – he shares everything with her and she with him.”</span></p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

79-year-old cruise passenger spends night in Alaskan forest after being left behind

<p>A 79-year-old cruise passenger has had an unexpectedly long shore excursion after her Princess Cruise ship left without her. The Coral Princess docked in Juneau, Alaska, but the Canadian holidaymaker got lost on a trek that should have taken two hours, and the ship departed, leaving her behind.</p> <p>She was forced to camp in a forest near the East Glacier Trail without any appropriate gear and surrounded by black bears. After noticing she hadn’t returned, rescuers scoured the area but could not find the woman.</p> <p>The next morning, she hiked to a nearby visitor centre, tired and wet but uninjured. She was then driven by police to an airport where she was flown to re-join the cruise ship. “She is a strong lady, and she knew what she was doing,” Princess Cruises port manager Kirby Day said. “She did all the right things except for making one wrong turn.”</p> <p>We’re glad to hear this brave lady was found safe and sound! Have you ever been left behind by a cruise ship? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/5-reason-to-stay-onboard-when-your-cruise-is-in-port/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 reason to stay onboard when your cruise is in port</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/13-things-to-do-to-make-the-most-of-a-river-cruise/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>13 things to do to make the most of a river cruise</em></strong></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/5-golden-rules-for-safe-shore-excursions/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 golden rules for safe shore excursions</strong></em></span></a></p>

Cruising

Placeholder Content Image

79-year-old works at McDonalds and loves it

<p>For many young Australians, working at McDonalds is a rite of passage. For these seniors, it’s a great way to make some extra cash and keep active into their 70s.</p> <p>Graham Berndt, 79, is proving that age is an asset when it comes to re-entering the workforce. Five years ago, he swapped retirement for a McDonald’s uniform, working at the Arana Hills restaurant in Brisbane.</p> <p>Talking to the <a href="http://www.couriermail.com.au/goqld/mcdonalds-has-become-semiretirement-plan-for-queenslanders-in-their-60s-and-70s/news-story/5205cde0f4501c0f505f2d79c416bb51" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Courier Mail</span></strong></a>, Berndt says his responsibilities as host include greeting customers and clearing tables. “I enjoy coming into work. My wife drops me off and goes shopping and then she picks me up a couple of hours later,” he said.</p> <p>Though he concedes his younger co-workers are perhaps a little faster than him, he gets along very well with them and has even encouraged three of his grandchildren to take up work at the restaurant.</p> <p>A spokesperson from McDonald’s wants more seniors to get back out there and show the young ones how it’s done. “Our older workers are a huge asset to our business and provide invaluable experience.”</p> <p><em>Image: Courier Mail</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/i-found-retirement-overrated/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Retirement is overrated. Here’s what I did instead.</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/man-sells-bakery-to-homeless-man-who-saved-his-life/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>French baker to sell business to homeless man for $1.50</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/funny-retirement-gift-ideas/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>6 of the funniest retirement gifts</strong></em></span></a></p>

Retirement Life