Gay Byrne Biography
Gay Byrne was an Irish Presenter and Host of Radio and Television who was born and brought-up in Rialto, Dublin. His most notable role was as the host of ‘The Late Late Show’ for a period of more than 37 years, spanning from 1962 until 1999. ‘The Late Late Show’ is the second-longest-running chat show in world.
Gay was named as the “unquestionably the most influential radio and television man in the history of the Irish State” by The Irish Times in 2010. He has presented other several notable shows which include, ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’, ‘The Meaning of Life’ and ‘For One Night Only’ on RTÉ One and ‘Sunday Serenade/Sunday with Gay Byrne’ on RTÉ lyric fm.
10 Quick Facts About Gay Byrne
- Name: Gay Byrne
- Age: Died on 4 November 2019 at 85 years
- Birthday: 5 August 1934
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Height: 6 feet 0 inches (1.85 meters)
- Nationality: Irish
- Occupation: Journalist
- Marital Status: Not Known
- Salary: Under review
- Net worth: $38 million dollars
Gay Byrne Age
Byrne was 85 years old when he died, he was born on 5 August 1934 in Rialto, Dublin, Ireland, and died on 4 November 2019 in Howth, Dublin, Ireland. He celebrated his birthday 5th August every year and his birth was Leo.
Gay Byrne Height
Gay stood at a height of 6 feet 0 inches (1.85 meters).
Gay Byrne Education
Byrne attended Rialto National School (since closed) and a number of other schools for short periods. Subsequently, he was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers at Synge Street CBS. He and two classmates bought a jazz record when Byrne was fourteen years old in January 1948, at a time when Radio Éireann refused to play it because of its “licentious” content.
Gay Byrne Family, Parents and Siblings
Gay was born to Annie Carroll and Edward Byrne in Rialto, Dublin. His father was enlisted as a professional trooper with the British Army’s 19th (Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal) Hussars cavalry regiment. He spent his childhood with his four siblings named Ray, Al, Ernest and Mary.
Gay Byrne Wife and Daughters
Byrne was married to his wife Kathleen Watkins, an Irish broadcaster, harpist, actress, singer and author. The couple first met in 1957 and they tied the knot in 1964 in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saggart. They were blessed with two daughters named Suzy and Crona Byrne, which are both are adopted. The two are also grandparents to a boy born by their daughter Suzy on 15 September 2004.
Gay Byrne Net Worth
Gay had an estimated net worth of $38 million dollars. This included his assets, money and income. His primary source of income was his career as a Presenter and Host of Radio and Television. Through his various sources of income, he had been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Gay Byrne Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about him;
Gay Byrne Wiki
- Full Names: Gabriel Mary “Gay” Byrne
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Presenter and Host of Radio and Television
- Nationality: Irish
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Gay Byrne Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 85 years (dead)
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Date of Birth: 5 August 1934 in Rialto, Dublin, Ireland
- Date of Death: 4 November 2019 in Howth, Dublin, Ireland
- Birthday: 5th August
Gay Byrne Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 6 feet 0 inches (1.85 meters)
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: White
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Gay Byrne Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Edward Byrne
- Mother: Annie Murphy
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Ray, Al, Ernest and Mary
- Marital Status: Was Married
- Wife/Spouse: Was Married to Kathleen Watkins
- Children: Suzy Byrne and Crona Byrne
Gay Byrne Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $38 Million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Presenter and Host of Radio and Television
Gay Byrne The Late Late Show
On 5 July 1962, the first episode of The Late Late Show was aired on Irish television. Originally the show was scheduled as an eight-week summer filler. The program, which is still broadcast, has become the world’s second-longest-running chat show. The show became a forum where controversial topics such as the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, contraception, AIDS, unemployment, homosexuality, abortion, divorce and other hitherto taboo subjects were discussed openly in Ireland, alongside book reviews, celebrity visits, and music acts such as The Boomtown Rats, U2, Sinéad O’Connor, Elkie Brooks, Boyzone and Noel Gallagher.
Other guests included Presidents of Ireland, successive Archbishops of Armagh, minor members of the British Royal Family, politicians, actors and authors. The show had much to do in shaping the new Ireland that was emerging from the 1960s. Indeed, it was famously said by politician and Papal Knight, Oliver J. Flanagan that, “there was no sex in Ireland until Teilifís Éireann went on the air”.
Bishop of Galway Michael Browne called him “a purveyor of filth” after he asked a woman what color nightie she wore on her wedding night and she had replied that she believed she’d worn nothing. However, Byrne saw himself as a presenter, not a radical social reformer, though his style was more challenging and less deferential than the style of his successor as presenter of The Late Late Show, Pat Kenny.
More than a decade after departing his role as host of The Late Late Show Byrne is remembered for conducting memorable interviews with former politician Pádraig Flynn and then Bishop of Galway Eamon Casey‘s lover Annie Murphy, among others. Another memorable moment to occur on The Late Late Show was when he called the winner of a prize car live on air only to discover the woman’s daughter had died since she had entered.
Gay Byrne Health Cancer
He revealed that he had a hearing loss in one ear which he initially thought was a result of working in the TV and radio industry but later came to realize that it was genetic. His mother, sister, and three brothers had hearing problems also.
The radio presenter has been having a struggle with his health. It began with a scare at his home in Sandymount when he struggled to breathe in 2011 and was admitted to St Vincent’s hospital. He then had a heart attack in 2015, while enjoying Christmas at home with his family and was re-admitted to the hospital.
On 20 November 2016, he revealed Lyric, that he had prostate cancer for which he was to begin treatment and that cancer may have spread to his lower back. He made the revelation live on his Time Warp radio broadcast on RTE Lyric.
Gay Byrne Awards and Honors
- He was awarded an honorary doctorate in letters from Trinity College, Dublin in 1988.
- He was granted the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 1999.
- Lifetime Achievement Award in February 2007 from Irish Film and Television Network.
- He has six Jacob’s Awards for his radio and television work and holds the record for the greatest number of Jacob’s Awards received.
- He was appointed chairman of the Road Safety Authority in Ireland in 2006.
- Outstanding Achievement PPI Radio Award (2009)
- A wax figure of Gay Byrne has been put on public display at Wax Museum Plus on Dublin’s College Green.
Gay Byrne Death, Funeral and Obituary
Gay died on 4 November 2019 at his home in Ireland, after a long illness. They said, ‘The funeral Mass was followed by a private burial in St Fintan’s Cemetery in Sutton”.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gay Byrne
Who is Gay Byrne?
Gay Byrne was an Irish Presenter and Host of Radio and Television. His most notable role was as the host of ‘The Late Late Show’ for a period of more than 37 years, spanning from 1962 until 1999. ‘The Late Late Show’ is the second-longest-running chat show in world. He was named as the “unquestionably the most influential radio and television man in the history of the Irish State” by The Irish Times in 2010.
How old is Gay Byrne?
Byrne was 85 years old when he died, he was born on 5 August 1934 in Rialto, Dublin, Ireland, and died on 4 November 2019 in Howth, Dublin, Ireland.
How tall was Gay Byrne?
Gay stood at a height of 6 feet 0 inches (1.85 meters).
Was Gay Byrne married?
No, he was married to his wife Kathleen Watkins, an Irish broadcaster, harpist, actress, singer and author. The couple first met in 1957 and they tied the knot in 1964 in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saggart. They were blessed with two daughters named Suzy and Crona Byrne, which are both are adopted. The two are also grandparents to a boy born by their daughter Suzy on 15 September 2004.
How much was Gay Byrne worth?
Gay had an estimated net worth of $38 million dollars. This included his assets, money and income. His primary source of income was his career as a Presenter and Host of Radio and Television.
Is Byrne dead or alive?
He is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him/her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Gay Byrne Social Contacts/ Media
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