Sir Frank describes Lady Renouf as lovely

Press, 23 January 1988, Page 38

Sir Frank describes Lady Renouf as lovely

NZPA Sydney The New Zealand financier, Sir Frank Renouf, described his estranged wife as a “lovely person” in an Australian television interview — a month after they began a bitter court battle, including a suit for unlimited damages against her for alleged defamation. Sir Frank, aged 69, had seen his wife just five minutes before the interview was screened on Channel 7’s Terry Willesee “Tonight” programme but emphasised there would be no reconciliation.

“We must always be good friends,” he said.

Asked about the reasons for the break-up of their 26-month marriage, he said they were well-suited to each other and there were no age gap problems. Lady Renouf is in her mid-4 os.

“I guess I’m the personality that’s too strong and rugged, and too positive about what should be,” he said.

He blamed the media for “crucifying” Lady Renouf, who was previously married to the Liberal Party deputy leader, Mr Andrew Peacock, and the British pools magnate, Mr

Robert Sangster. “And because she’s got such a high profile of course she gets as much adulation as criticism. “But the truth is that she’s a very lovely person, brought up in a very nice environment in Melbourne, who came to the fore as one of your outstanding young ladies many years ago and, I believe that once you’ve discovered her, you’ve also crucified her. "I think the media crucified her, because she can’t walk across the road without her photograph being taken.”