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Dame Marie Bashir, the first female governor of NSW, died aged 95 on Tuesday, Premier Chris Minns has announced.
Bashir, who served as NSW governor from 2001 to 2014 and was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia in 1988, is survived by her three children and six grandchildren. She was married to Sir Nicholas Shehadie, a former Sydney lord mayor, from 1957 until his death in 2018.
Dame Marie Bashir when she was NSW governor at Government House in 2014.Credit: James Brickwood
Bashir will be honoured with a state funeral, Minns shared. Further details will be announced at a later date.
The premier remembered Bashir as an “extraordinary Australian” who lived a “remarkable life”.
“Reflecting on her 14 years as governor, Dame Marie Bashir explained that she deliberately chose not to extend her tenure beyond that point, despite being widely respected, because she did not wish to surpass Sir Roden Cutler as the longest-serving governor,” Minns said.
“The people of New South Wales held Dame Marie in great respect and affection, reflecting the trust and goodwill she earned over a lifetime of service.”
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