John Laws, a legendary figure in radio broadcasting, has passed away at the age of 90. Renowned as one of Australia’s most influential talkback hosts, Laws’ illustrious career spanned an impressive seven decades, during which he became one of the nation’s most recognized and well-compensated media figures.

In recent months, it was known that Laws had been receiving end-of-life care. He leaves behind a legacy and five children who mourn his passing. His departure from this world follows the loss of his beloved wife, Caroline, who succumbed to cancer in 2020 after more than 40 years of marriage. She was affectionately referred to by Laws as his ‘Princess’.

Remarkably, Laws’ death comes almost exactly a year after he announced his retirement. This announcement was made live on-air on November 8 of the previous year. In a heartfelt moment, he read aloud a listener’s letter expressing gratitude for the years of entertainment he provided, marking the end of an era for many devoted listeners.

His wife Caroline, to whom he was married for more than four decades and called his ‘Princess’, died from cancer in 2020.

The broadcaster’s death is one year on, almost to the day, from his retirement.

Laws made his announcement live on-air on November 8 last year, after reading a letter from a listener who was keen to thank him for years of entertainment.

‘You’re not going to be hearing it for long, mate, I think it’s time for a rest, is what I think,’ he said.

‘I’ve done it for a very, very, very, very long time. 70 years, is it long enough? It’s long enough.’

Legendary Australian radio broadcaster John Laws has died aged 90 

John Laws and Caroline Laws attend a function in Sydney for fellow broadcaster Brian Henderson in 2002 

‘I would have done it for 71 years. The first week of November will be 71 years since I started on radio,’ he said. ‘I don’t want to be greedy, I had a fantastic 71 years. Loved almost every minute of it’.

Laws began his career in AM radio back in 1953 at 3BO in Bendigo and his unique style earned the broadcaster the nickname ‘The Golden Tonsils’. 

After four years at 3BO, he moved to metro broadcaster, 2UE, where he became one of the first DJs to play rock ‘n’ roll music.

He returned to 2UE for five years from 1979 and then again in 1988, which marked a particularly successful stint in which he dominated the airwaves and continuously took out the number one slot in Sydney. 

Laws stepped away from radio for four years in 2007 and returned to the air on 2SM in 2011 with The John Laws Morning Show.

In 2022, he took bouts of leave from his radio gig after suffering from respiratory infections.

The following year, after seeking medical care for a blocked ear, his health rapidly deteriorated and he was admitted to St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney for three weeks. 

He had contracted pneumonia but later revealed he was on the mend, and returned to the station in September 2023.

Laws is pictured dining at Mantra restaurant in Woolloomooloo Wharf, Sydney in January 2024 with a female companion

Tributes have been shared for the broadcaster, including from actor Russell Crowe, who owned a property in the the heritage-listed Finger Wharf at Wooloomooloo on Sydney Harbour next to one owned by Laws. 

‘John Laws was my neighbour for 23 years. He was a wise mentor, a mischievous mate and a very good friend,’ Crowe said.

‘I am deeply saddened by his passing, however, I am buoyed in the sure and certain knowledge that he led a magnificent life of achievement and adventure… and he lived every moment.

‘He worked hard, played harder and loved completely. A legend, in the very best, most Australian, sense of the word. I loved him and I’ll never forget him.’

Fellow radio icon Kyle Sandilands on Sunday called Laws ‘one of the true originals’.

‘You could never mistake him for anyone else. He said what he thought, didn’t care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required,’ he said.

‘I’m devastated to have lost a mentor and a mate. Radio won’t be the same without him.’

Kyle Sandilands with ‘mentor’ John Laws 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Laws was an iconic voice ‘and so much more’.

‘Generations of Australians trusted and respected him for telling it straight, digging deep and giving his guests and his listeners a chance to be heard,’ Mr Albanese said on X.

‘John was always a thoroughly prepared and thoughtful interviewer – and wonderful company off-air. My condolences to his loved ones and to all who benefited from his wisdom and guidance.’

In addition to radio, Laws was perhaps most well known for his iconic Valvoline motor oil advertisements and its famous slogan ‘Valvoline, you know what I mean’.

Law’s often maintained he was an entertainer and salesman rather than a journalist, for which he had no formal training. 

The slick ads, which found their way on to television screens in the mid-1980s, were a testament to his abilities to draw in an audience who bought what he was selling in droves, whether that was a political opinion or a bottle of motor oil.

However, the broadcaster wasn’t without controversies throughout his lengthy career. 

He was found to be in contempt of court in 2000 for interviewing a juror, for which he received a suspended jail sentence.

Laws had a lengthy partnership with Valvoline motor oil as their brand ambassador

The ads featured on TV with the famous slogan ‘Valvoline, you know what I mean’

Laws came under fire again the following year for having breached the rules around decency and the treatment of suicide.

In 2013 and 2015 he was criticised for mishandling callers’ admissions of being sexually assaulted in childhood and in 2021 he was found to have breached commercial radio code after telling a caller to ‘say something constructive, like you’re going to kill yourself’.

He called his female producers ‘handmaidens’ and insisted that they wear skirts or dresses to work, though one former employee insisted she found his ‘old fashioned manner respectful’.

He was also embroiled in the infamous ‘cash-for-comment’ saga in 1999, when news broke he had taken payments from banks to give favourable commentary.

It was one of only two occasions that Valvoline temporarily dropped him. The other was a few years earlier when the brand wanted a refresh to draw in younger customers, but sales fell and Laws was brought back. 

Laws was inducted into the Australian Radio Hall of Fame in 2003 and received an Aria lifetime achievement award in 2008.