‘He knew he had a close call’: How Bert Newton, 81, lost 15kg with the help of his wife Patti after years of health problems and hospital visits
Bert Newton has suffered through multiple health scares in recent years, including three bouts of pneumonia.
But things are looking up for the 81-year-old showbusiness legend.
Last week, Bert’s wife, Patti Newton, shared a photo to Instagram of her husband looking happier and healthier than he has in years while eating a salad.
‘He knew he had a close call’: Bert Newton, 81, has reportedly lost 15kg after years of health problems and hospital visits. Pictured left in 2008, and right earlier this month
According New Idea, Bert has lost up to 15kg after a string of hospital visits and left him feeling ‘terrified’ about his future.
‘When he had a health scare with pneumonia in 2017, it shook him to the core,’ a source said.
‘He realised he was actually vulnerable and that terrified him. He knew he had a close call and had to take far better care of himself.’
By his side! Bert’s (right) health scare also worried wife Patti, 75, (left) who has helped Bert slow down his busy lifestyle and focus on eating a more balanced diet. Pictured in Dec, 2019
Bert’s health scare also worried Patti, 75, who has encouraged her husband to slow down his busy lifestyle and focus on eating a balanced diet.
His health first became a concern in 2012 when he underwent a quadruple bypass.
In the years following the heart surgery, he was hospitalised three times with pneumonia and was also diagnosed with anemia.
The TV veteran’s health began to become a concern for the couple in 2012, when Bert underwent a quadruple bypass heart surgery. Pictured in 2018
Anemia can make a person feel tired or weak because there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues.
The four-time Gold Logie winner told reporters outside hospital in 2017 that he was feeling better after being treated for pneumonia.
‘I’m feeling better now. It took a while. I didn’t realise until I copped it the first time, that pneumonia is such a serious thing, but I’m feeling better now,’ he said.
Long-lasting love: The entertainment icon has been married to wife Patti for decades, having tied the knot in November 1974
The entertainment icon has been married to wife Patti for decades, having tied the knot in November 1974.
The pair share two children, daughter Lauren and son Matthew.
On Friday, Patti announced Lauren was pregnant with their SIXTH grandchild.
Exciting news! Bert and Patti’s daughter Lauren is preparing to welcome her SIXTH child with her Olympic swimmer husband, Matt Welsh,