Blanche d’Alpuget, acclaimed author, journalist, and widow of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, shared reflections on her life and legacy in what would become her final interview. Speaking candidly about her approaching death, d’Alpuget expressed a desire to be remembered primarily for her work and her capacity to love, rather than through her association with Hawke.

At 82, d’Alpuget revealed that she was living with eosinophilic asthma, a severe and incurable but manageable condition. Despite her health challenges, she appeared well and composed for the interview, held at her home in Chiswick. During the nearly three-hour conversation, she covered a broad range of topics, including global politics, technological developments, and cultural changes.

D’Alpuget emphasized the importance of her literary contributions, noting that while some of her books were good and others very good, her foremost wish was that people remember her as a woman who loved deeply. She was clear that she did not want her public identity to be defined solely by her relationship with Hawke, rejecting labels such as “Bob’s mistress” or just “Bob Hawke’s wife.”

The interview explored her perspectives on contemporary issues as well, including “cancel culture,” which she said she had experienced before the term became widespread. The discussion moved from serious topics such as the geopolitical landscape involving Israel and the former Soviet Union to lighter recollections, including memories of social occasions with notable figures like the Beatles.

Her close friend Amanda Richardson had advised the interviewer to prepare thoroughly by reading d’Alpuget’s books and to avoid focusing the conversation solely on Hawke, highlighting the author’s intellectual independence and forthright nature. Although d’Alpuget reportedly disliked interviews, she engaged openly, revealing wit, vulnerability, and a sharp intellect throughout the dialogue.

This final interview offered a window into the reflections of a prominent Australian cultural figure approaching the end of her life, determined to be remembered on her own terms.