Celebrity stylist Jo Ferguson was reportedly struggling financially and estranged from her old friends in the Sydney party scene before she died of suspected liver and kidney failure on Wednesday at the age of 46.
The late socialite was said to be ‘badgering’ her remaining friends for money and selling her designer handbags ‘just to survive’, according to The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday.
The publication claimed that many in Jo’s social circle had cut ties with her ‘years ago’ while others felt they had no choice but to walk away as her health declined.
Tragedy: Celebrity stylist Jo Ferguson was reportedly struggling financially and estranged from her old friends in the Sydney party scene before she died of suspected liver and kidney failure on Wednesday at the age of 46. Pictured on November 14, 2007 in Sydney
She apparently spent her last days alone, which makes her reported decision to turn off life support instead of committing to six months of sobriety to qualify for a life-saving liver transplant all the more tragic.
Back in January, Jo had told the Emerald City column she’d spent the previous six months trying to get her finances in order while in hospital with blood poisoning.
Contrary to claims she was experiencing financial difficulties, the former Woman’s Day fashion director said she had in fact been able to buy a house.
‘I set up my [hospital] room like an office,’ she was quoted as saying. ‘I got on top of things I had put off for years … I even managed to buy a new house with cash.’
Sad end: The late socialite was said to be ‘badgering’ her remaining friends for money and selling her designer handbags ‘just to survive’, according to The Sydney Morning Herald
Heartbreaking: She apparently spent her last days alone, which makes her reported decision to turn off life support instead of committing to six months of sobriety to qualify for a life-saving liver transplant all the more tragic. Pictured: one Jo’s Facebook posts from March 19
The Sunday Telegraph reported that Jo made the decision last week to turn off the machines filtering her blood and keeping her alive, leading to her death from liver and kidney failure days later.
She apparently instructed doctors to turn the machines off rather than having to spend six months sober to qualify for a life-saving liver transplant.
She is believed to have made the life-or-death decision while in hospital in Adelaide last Sunday. She died three days later, on April 8, following a four-year health battle.
It comes after tributes poured in last week, with friends and colleagues offering a rare glimpse into the life of the troubled party girl.
According to those closest to Jo, she ‘never lost her wild sense of humour’ despite being terribly ill and was ‘enthusiastic about life’ until the very end.
Health battle: Jo is believed to have made the life-or-death decision while in hospital in Adelaide last Sunday. She died three days later, on April 8. Pictured in January
Remembered: It comes after tributes poured in last week, with friends and colleagues offering a rare glimpse into the life of the troubled party girl. Pictured on December 6, 2007 in Sydney
Talent manager Annie Kelly, whose clients include supermodel Miranda Kerr, said that Jo ‘could light up a room with her energy and smile’.
‘Despite her health battles, she never lost her wild sense of humour and still had me in tears of laughter when we spoke. I have so many wonderful memories that I will cherish,’ Annie said.
Media personality Deborah Thomas, who was a colleague of Jo’s at Cleo magazine in the late ’90s, said her friend was ‘always so full of life and fun’.
Devastated: Talent manager Annie Kelly (left), whose clients include supermodel Miranda Kerr (right), said that Jo ‘could light up a room with her energy and smile’
Heartbroken: Media personality Deborah Thomas (pictured), who was a colleague of Jo’s at Cleo magazine in the late ’90s, said her friend was ‘always so full of life and fun’
‘RIP to one of the best’: On Tuesday, publicist Roxy Jacenko reflected on her friendship with Jo, who was a longtime supporter of her company Sweaty Betty PR
Deborah revealed they would regularly catch up for lunch after leaving Cleo.
‘It was always a pleasure to spend time with Jo as she bubbled over with enthusiasm about life even though more recently she faced many challenges. I am devastated by the loss of a beautiful soul who has tragically left us way too soon,’ she said.
High profile publicist Roxy Jacenko also paid tribute on Thursday, saying: ‘Jo, you were so special and you will be missed. Life is short. Take care, all.’
She had quit the Sydney party scene and moved to Adelaide in recent years, but many still remembered her from her days mingling with actors and models at high-profile social events.
In 2016, Jo had a near-death experience which saw her withdraw completely from the spotlight. The accident was so bad, she had complications for years and was often in and out of hospital.
She described what happened in a Facebook post at the time, writing: ‘I slipped and fell down 27 stairs at my apartment at 8:20am on a Sunday and knocked myself out immediately, gashing my temple on the stairs and losing four litres of blood.
‘I’d been unconscious for five hours when a friend found me and called the ambulance. I ended up needing three blood transfusions and 38 stitches to the head. I was told I was 20 minutes from death due to the blood loss.’
Too young: Jo died in the early hours of Wednesday morning of suspected liver and kidney failure after several years of declining health. Pictured on December 15, 2010 in Sydney
A fight for life: In 2016, Jo had a near-death experience which saw her withdraw completely from the spotlight. The accident was so bad, she had complications for years and was often in and out of hospital
After this accident, she left Sydney and returned to Adelaide to be closer to her family.
In January, Jo revealed she had been hospitalised with blood poisoning due to a complication from a blood transfusion following the 2016 incident.
She told The Sydney Morning Herald she had been given the wrong blood type, which caused years of nausea and lightheadedness.
‘They gave me B-positive and I am A-positive. I had 9.1 litres of poisonous blood drained from my body, I was close to death and said I had six months to live,’ she said.
She was placed on life support in March, only to be discharged and then readmitted.
Following her discharge from hospital last month, she wrote on Facebook: ‘After being placed on life support a week ago how the body reacts is amazing. Did someone say coronavirus? Wait until you are really sick to cry wolf.’
Jo died in the early hours of Wednesday morning of suspected liver and kidney failure after several years of declining health.
Her brother, Scott, told The Daily Telegraph he was devastated by the loss of his ‘inspirational’ sister.
Medical error: In January, Jo revealed she had been hospitalised with blood poisoning due to a complication from a blood transfusion following the 2016 incident. Pictured on June 20, 2007