Television journalist’s shocking health confession: 'I can't afford to die'
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Ray Martin, the esteemed Australian television journalist, has recently shared a harrowing account of a major health scare that nearly cost him his life.
While filming the final scene for his SBS documentary series, Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, which explored the concept of death, Martin experienced a sudden and severe health crisis.
The 79-year-old journalist, known for his robust constitution and rarely falling ill, felt 'really crook' during the shoot.
It was a sensation so unusual and alarming that his daughter Jenna promptly took him to the emergency department.
There, doctors delivered a shocking diagnosis: Martin had a blood clot in his heart, the result of a severe chest infection.
This revelation was particularly startling given Martin's previously unblemished health record.
Martin confessed to The Daily Telegraph, 'It's the only time in my life because I was so drugged that I thought, 'This could be the end.''’
The thought of his mortality was stark, as he mused, 'I'm 79, I've never been in hospital in my life, and I was thinking, “I can't afford to die now.”'
Thankfully, after being closely monitored by heart and lung specialists, Martin received a clean bill of health.
Last year, Martin expressed his zest for life and his intention never to retire, citing the nonagenarian natural historian David Attenborough as his role model.
'He says you've got to keep doing what you love,' Martin shared with Woman's Day magazine.
This brush with mortality has only reinforced his desire to embrace life fully.
Martin also reflected on his past workaholic lifestyle.
‘I lived in New York for ten years as an ABC correspondent and worked eight days a week. Yet I think of all the things I didn't do and should have done. ‘ he said.
‘You've got forever to sleep. You've got to have a go.’
He vowed not to repeat that mistake, emphasising the value of spending time with loved ones, including his children Jenna and Luke and his two grandchildren.
Have you ever ignored a critical warning sign, thinking it was nothing? How has that impacted your approach to health now? Join the conversation below.
While filming the final scene for his SBS documentary series, Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, which explored the concept of death, Martin experienced a sudden and severe health crisis.
The 79-year-old journalist, known for his robust constitution and rarely falling ill, felt 'really crook' during the shoot.
It was a sensation so unusual and alarming that his daughter Jenna promptly took him to the emergency department.
Veteran journalist Ray Martin opened up about a life-threatening health scare while filming an SBS documentary on death. Credit: @RayMartin / X
There, doctors delivered a shocking diagnosis: Martin had a blood clot in his heart, the result of a severe chest infection.
This revelation was particularly startling given Martin's previously unblemished health record.
Martin confessed to The Daily Telegraph, 'It's the only time in my life because I was so drugged that I thought, 'This could be the end.''’
The thought of his mortality was stark, as he mused, 'I'm 79, I've never been in hospital in my life, and I was thinking, “I can't afford to die now.”'
Thankfully, after being closely monitored by heart and lung specialists, Martin received a clean bill of health.
Last year, Martin expressed his zest for life and his intention never to retire, citing the nonagenarian natural historian David Attenborough as his role model.
'He says you've got to keep doing what you love,' Martin shared with Woman's Day magazine.
This brush with mortality has only reinforced his desire to embrace life fully.
Martin also reflected on his past workaholic lifestyle.
‘I lived in New York for ten years as an ABC correspondent and worked eight days a week. Yet I think of all the things I didn't do and should have done. ‘ he said.
‘You've got forever to sleep. You've got to have a go.’
He vowed not to repeat that mistake, emphasising the value of spending time with loved ones, including his children Jenna and Luke and his two grandchildren.
