Gillian van Houten, a prominent South African television news anchor during the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 72, according to an announcement by her long-time partner John Varty. Van Houten became a recognizable face on the SABC before transitioning into wildlife conservation and documentary filmmaking alongside Varty, with whom she raised three children, Savanna, Sha, and Tao.
Tributes and Life in Conservation
John Varty announced Van Houten’s passing in a Facebook tribute on Saturday, writing, “your pain is gone” as he bid farewell to the woman he called “Gilly,” according to published reports. Varty reflected on their decades together, thanking her for standing by him through severe hardships, including a 1995 helicopter crash that caused serious spinal injuries, a 2012 tiger attack at his Tiger Canyons reserve near Philippolis in the Free State, and a heart attack. The cause of Van Houten’s passing has not been disclosed by the family.
Did you know? Gillian van Houten played a hands-on role in wildlife rehabilitation, helping raise the famous orphaned leopard cub Shingalana alongside John Varty and legendary tracker Elmon Mhlongo.
Television Career and Documentary Work
Before her deep involvement in bush conservation, Van Houten anchored news broadcasts for the SABC during a defining era in South Africa’s media landscape. Varty often recounted meeting her through her television work, joking in a retrospective film that he sent a letter to the SABC asking her to leave city life for a safari. Away from the studio, she cemented her legacy in wildlife media by featuring prominently in acclaimed documentaries such as The Secret Life of Leopards and Living with Leopards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Gillian van Houten?
Gillian van Houten was a well-known South African television news anchor for the SABC during the 1980s and 1990s who later became a wildlife conservationist and documentary film figure.
Who was her long-term partner?
She was the long-term partner and former wife of renowned South African wildlife filmmaker and big cat conservationist John Varty, with whom she shared three children.
What wildlife projects did she work on?
Alongside John Varty and tracker Elmon Mhlongo, Van Houten helped raise an orphaned leopard named Shingalana and appeared in wildlife films including The Secret Life of Leopards.
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