Andrew Peacock, a former leader and stalwart of the Australian Liberal Party has died in the US, aged 82.
His daughter Ann Peacock confirmed the news on Friday night in a statement, revealing her dad passed away peacefully “at home in Austin, Texas with his wife Penne by his side”.
“The profoundly loved Australian who gave all to his country, will be sadly missed,” Ms Peacock said.
There will be a service for family and friends in Austin, with an Australian memorial service to be announced later.
Ms Peacock, one of Mr Peacock’s three daughters, also shared a series of emotional posts on social media.
“To my beautiful loving most caring thoughtful generous and brilliant father, you will be so greatly missed, your guidance and deep love for us will live in my heart, we are absolutely devastated,” Ms Peacock captioned a photo of her and her father, who was born in Melbourne in 1939.
“Daddy, love you more than the world, please continue to look after us all. You will live within us forever and ever.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison remembered the former federal MP as “a great Australian and a treasure of the Liberal Party”.
He credited Mr Peacock with helping “shape Australia and the Liberal Party over three decades”.
Across his 28-year career in politics, Mr Peacock held multiple portfolios in government including Army, External Territories, Environment, Foreign Affairs, Industrial Relations and Industry and Commerce.
Mr Peacock served as Opposition Leader twice, from 1983-1985 and again from 1989-1990, leading the Liberal Party to the 1984 and 1990 elections.
After time in Parliament, Mr Peacock served as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, based in Washington.
“He had a long career in the Parliament, entering it at the age of 27,” the Mr Morrison said.
“He followed Sir Robert Menzies as Member for Kooyong. These were big shoes to fill, but he was not daunted and filled them in his own way.
“Andrew was known as the ‘colt from Kooyong’, a term which did not do justice to his thoroughness, intellect and capacity to make friends far and wide.
“Andrew had a rich life outside politics. He had a lifelong love of horse racing and the Essendon Football Club. His love of his daughters was a mainstay of his life. In later life, his wider family also brought him immense happiness.
“To his wife Penne and his family, Jenny and I extend the sympathies of the Government and the Liberal Party.”
In a second post, Ms Peacock wrote: “Stunning most beautiful photo of the love of my brilliant loving father’s life, his wife, Penne Peacock. RIP daddy xxxxx.”
He and Penne had been married almost 20 years, after tying the knot in 2002.
Mr Peacock was previously married to Susan Renouf — with whom he shares three children Ann Peacock, Caroline Peacock, Jane Fiona Chapple Hyam — from 1963 to 1978.
He was also married to Margaret Ingram from 1983 to 1995.
This content first appear on 9news