Neil Balnaves — whose companies brought shows like Big Brother and Bananas in Pyjamas to TV screens — has died at the age of 77, after a boating accident in Tahiti.
The Daily Telegraphreported on Monday that Balnaves was holidaying on board the Oneworld mega-motor yacht off the Polynesian island.
The millionaire from Mosman on Sydney’s north shore was aboard a tender – a small boat – alongside the yacht when it flipped over in the waves, throwing him under.
It is understood he could not be revived after the accident.
He is survived by his wife, Diane Balnaves, who he married in 1971, and his children, son Hamish and daughters Alexandra and Victoria.
He produced a series of shows, including Big Brother, Bananas in Pyjamas, Water Rats and McLeod’s Daughters.
The millionaire also suffered a near-fatal boating accident on the Gold Coast in 2002, which changed his outlook on life.
“As you can imagine, I had a lot of time to think throughout this period,” he told The Advertiserin 2011.
“And what I came to was this: How many more houses do I need? Do I want the jet plane? Do I want another yacht? Not really.
“There comes a time when those things stop meaning so much to you.”
He went on to become a noted philanthropist, with his Balnaves Foundation giving away $20 million.
According to the website, the foundation, which was established in 2006, disperses over $3 million annually.
That money is given to eligible organisations that aim “to create a better Australia through education, medicine and the arts with a focus on young people, the disadvantaged and Indigenous Australia”.