Ronald Edgeworth was a British actor and composer who was best known for being the husband of Judith Durham, the lead singer of the Australian folk music group the Seekers. He died in 1994 from a rare and incurable disease that gradually paralyzed his body. This is the tragic story of his life and death, and how his wife coped with the loss.
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Early Life and Career
Ronald Edgeworth was born on January 29, 1938 in England, UK. He started playing piano at the age of four and showed great talent and passion for music. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music and later became a session musician, working with various artists and bands. He also composed music for films and television shows, such as Raw Deal (1977) and Cash and Company (1975) .
Marriage to Judith Durham
Ronald Edgeworth met Judith Durham in 1968, when she was touring in England with the Seekers. They fell in love and got married on November 21, 1969, at Scots’ Church in Melbourne . They lived in the United Kingdom and Switzerland until the mid-1980s, when they moved to Nambour, Queensland . The couple had no children, but they shared a deep bond and supported each other’s careers.
Judith Durham was an Australian singer, songwriter and musician who became famous as the lead singer of the Seekers in 1963. The group was the first Australian pop music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the UK and the US, selling over 50 million records worldwide . She was also a solo artist and a humanitarian, who was named Victorian of the Year in 2015 for her contributions to music and various charities .
Car Accident and Diagnosis
In 1990, Ronald Edgeworth, Judith Durham and their tour manager, Peter Summers, were involved in a car accident on the Calder Freeway. The driver of the other car died at the scene and Durham sustained a fractured wrist and leg . The accident made Durham reconsider her career and she decided to reunite with the other members of the Seekers for a Silver Jubilee show .
During this reunion, Edgeworth was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a rare and incurable condition that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. The disease causes progressive weakness, muscle wasting, difficulty speaking, swallowing and breathing . There is no known cause or cure for motor neurone disease, and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to five years .
Death and Legacy
Ronald Edgeworth died on December 10, 1994, at the age of 56, with Judith Durham by his side . He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in England . Durham was devastated by his death and wrote several songs in his memory, such as “I Am Australian”, “Forever Isn’t Long Enough” and “The Olive Tree” . She also became an advocate for motor neurone disease research and awareness, raising funds and supporting various organizations .
Ronald Edgeworth was a talented musician and a loving husband who left behind a legacy of music and compassion. He was admired by many fans and friends for his courage and grace in facing his illness. He will always be remembered as Judith Durham’s soulmate and partner in life.
