Gillian van Houten, one of South Africa’s most recognisable news presenters and a former SABC newsreader during the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 72.

In an emotional Facebook tribute on Saturday, John Varty – her wildlife filmmaker partner – announced her passing on Friday 24 July.

Van Houten and Varty’s love story was always seen as an extraordinary, unconventional romance defined by a shared passion for the wild.

Earlier this year, in April, as a tribute to Van Houten on her 72nd birthday, Varty shared their love story by recounting the letter he wrote to the SABC years ago. This was apparently a handwritten letter in which he invited her to join his leopard project at Londolozi Game Reserve, asking if she wanted to “make the news instead of reading it”.

“Every man, including me, was in love with you on TV; a photographer’s dream, a fashion queen. Across the land you spread your fame, Gillian van Houten is your name. I sent a letter to the SABC, come with me on safari, leave your life of luxury, and you will see the natural world and all its beauty. Gillian, come with me, come with me,” he said in his tribute.

In what is described as a daring leap of faith, Van Houten left her high-profile career to become a dedicated big cat conservationist alongside Varty. Together they raised and rehabilitated iconic lions and leopards, and became known for their wildlife filmmaking.

Van Houten and Varty shared a profound lifelong bond and raised three children together – Savannah, Sha, and Tao – whom Varty frequently calls his greatest gifts.

Battle with dementia

In the tribute to Van Houten on her 72nd birthday, Varty said he vividly remembered the day when he received the message on his mobile phone whilst on a game drive at Londolozi that Van Houten had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, which affected her speech and memory.

They then sat down as a family and determined that they had another three years of good life together. “And for three years we really had a good quality of life,” he recalled. In the fourth year after Van Houten’s diagnosis, things changed and she needed specialised high care 24 hours a day.

“Unfortunately the walks on the beach came to an end; no more game drives,” Varty said.

Then came the day he had dreaded – when she could no longer remember his name.

“Gilly, your pain is gone. All things must pass. I love you dearly. JV,” he wrote in announcing her passing.