Derryn Hinch, the outspoken Australian radio host and former federal senator, has died at the age of 82. His former colleague and personal assistant, Annette Philpott, confirmed to the Daily Mail that Hinch died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday night, attributing his death to a lengthy health battle and "old age."

Hinch’s life was marked by a prominent media career and a series of headline-grabbing personal relationships and controversies.

A Career in Media and Politics

Born in New Zealand, Hinch spent more than four decades in media, beginning on radio in Sydney and Melbourne before moving to television. He was known for his distinctive broadcasting style and his willingness to tackle controversial topics.

In 2016, Hinch transitioned into politics, being elected to the Australian Senate. During his three-year term, he advocated for a national child sex offenders register and other criminal justice reforms. He also publicly disclosed in 2017 that he had been a victim of child sexual abuse at the age of nine.

Hinch's career was not without legal entanglements. He served 12 days in prison in 1987 for contempt of court after reporting on a priest's prior convictions. In 2011, he was convicted of breaching suppression orders related to sex offenders and received a five-month home detention sentence.

Personal Life and Relationships

Hinch was married multiple times. His fourth marriage was to actress Jacki Weaver, whom he married in 1983 and divorced in 1998. They later renewed their vows before splitting again. Weaver described Hinch as the love of her life and stated they would have liked to have had children together.

In the years leading up to his death, Hinch was reportedly in a relationship with actress and animal rights activist Lynda Stoner. The couple had been engaged in the early 1980s but called it off. They reconnected in 2016, with Stoner describing their rekindled romance as a "raging inferno."

Another notable relationship was with TV producer Natasha Chadwick, who was 36 years his junior. Their relationship drew public attention, and after their split, Chadwick publicly criticized Hinch on Twitter for allegedly downplaying his alcohol consumption following a life-saving liver transplant.

Hinch also had a seven-year marriage to Chanel Hayton, which ended in 2012. Earlier marriages included one to Lana Wells in the 1960s and flight attendant Eve Carpenter from 1972 to 1980.

In April, Hinch shared on social media that he was "not very well" but remained positive. Weeks later, he indicated he was improving, stating he had undergone leg surgery and was increasing his walking regimen. He had also recently finished editing his latest book, which was expected to be released for Christmas.

Hinch's passing marks the end of a long and often controversial career that left a significant mark on Australian media and public discourse.