Beloved journalist Richard Zachariah dies at 80, just months after Maggie Tabberer’s passing, leaving behind a rich media legacy.
Australian television and the world of journalism have lost an authentic legend with the death of iconic broadcaster, writer, and journalist Richard Zachariah at the age of 80. He is followed by his late former partner and on-air co-host Maggie Tabberer, fashion icon, mere months before his own passing, and the timing now is all the more acerbic to devotees and loved ones.
For years, Richard Zachariah was a voice and name familiar to everyone in Australian media. With his charm, depth, and rich storytelling presentation ability, he won hearts with journalistic integrity as much as individual presentation style. His work left a lasting imprint on the history of television in Australia.
A Storied Life and Career
Born in Victoria, Richard Zachariah grew on solid educational bases and studied at Hamilton College in Western Victoria whose headmaster was his father. This kind of atmosphere provided him with a passion for history and studying, and subsequently became the subject of his television and literature writing.
Having started his career as a journalist, Richard Zachariah soon gained a reputation for being a master of eloquent and sophisticated oratory. But it was not just his voice or his brain that set him apart — it was the manner in which he reached out to his audience at a deep, emotional level.
His breakthrough came in the 1980s and early 90s when he co-hosted ABC’s The Home Show with Maggie Tabberer. The two were one of Australia’s most popular on-screen couples. Their professionalism, warmth, and chemistry made the show a hit, transforming lifestyle television in Australia.
The professional and working relationship with Maggie Tabberer was equally romantic — as it was professional. They had a glamourized and well-publicized affair, and everybody envied them, but they parted ways later on. Even Richard Zachariah and Maggie had not parted ways even after the breakup.
The Passing of an Era
Richard Zachariah died peacefully at the age of 80. His death follows Maggie Tabberer’s just four months earlier, and it is a tsunami of shared grief for those who grew up watching the couple on television, or those who worked with them. Their deaths so soon after one another feel like the end of an era for Australian television.
Wakefield Press, publisher of Zachariah, described him as a “racing man, a writer, and a larrikin.” His was a colorful personality, and his writing ever with it. On television or in book format, Richard Zachariah brought to life few could match.
The Vanished Land: A Literary Legacy
Apart from being a television employee, Richard Zachariah was also an author. His work, The Vanished Land, is a true description of the aristocratic lifestyle of Western Victoria — a land that was home to his heart. Packed with vivid descriptions and poignant retrospection, the book was far from being a historical text. It was a recognition of a world that made him what he was and a society that he admired.
His skill at mixing nostalgia and fact-based storytelling was unusual. Richard Zachariah, in this book, brought to readers’ minds the elegance of remembering and respecting the past — a tactic that was an extension of his television philosophy.
A Man of Many Cities
Whereas Richard Zachariah began life in Victoria countryside, his work led him to the farthest corners of the globe. He lived in London, Sydney, and Melbourne before settling down in serene Adelaide Hills.
All these cities impressed themselves upon him, and he impressed himself on them — from metropolitan media circles to peaceful hours of contemplation in hills.
His presence was ubiquitous, whether in a newsroom or a peaceful rural retreat. His friends recall Richard Zachariah as being irrepressible, witty, and unapologetically inquisitive. These are the traits which made him an excellent journalist as well as an excellent friend.
Television Beyond the Spotlight
Although The Home Show catapulted Richard Zachariah to popular recognition, he also appeared in other aspects of media platforms during television and radio. He was featured on Channel 7, wrote for radio stations, and was an active commentator in Australian cultural commentary late in life.
His coverage was not limited to soft stories only. Richard Zachariah covered anything ranging from rural land disputes to social norms change, always with complete thoughtfulness. His life was full of versatility — from lifestyle pieces to strong comments, he could do anything.
Tributes Pour In
Since his death, condolences have been flooding in from all over Australia and overseas. Media workers, colleagues, and fans have turned to social media to mourn and celebrate Richard Zachariah’s life.
Others have valued his mentorship, recounting how he guided the careers of young journalists with patience and kindness. Others recalled his legendary voice and refined manner that added warmth to Australian journalism.
ABC, where Richard Zachariah made a lasting mark, released a heartfelt declaration identifying him as “an essential voice in crafting the broadcaster’s personality and culture.” They had observed that his work had manifested “depth, goodness, and profound passion for the stories which make us who we are.”
Maggie and Richard: A Timeless Bond
Though the romance between Maggie Tabberer and Richard Zachariah lasted decades ago, their tale is among the most heartbreaking in Australian media history. It was a love in the open, one that constituted a union of talent and finesse.
Even after they parted ways, they continued to speak fondly of each other. Maggie once said in an interview, “Richard was one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever known — he taught me how to see the world differently.”
That bond, that creative spark between them, was never extinguished. The way that Richard Zachariah himself died soon after Maggie’s departure serves only to increase the intensity of this emotional scene. As if they share the same essence in spirit and left behind one legacy together redefining forever the face of Australian television.
The Final Goodbye
The funeral of Richard Zachariah will take place at the Eastern Park Chapel, Warrnambool, Victoria, on April 23. It will most probably be a widely attended funeral, with the faces of the media fraternity, the literary community, and the local communities that knew him and respected him.
The service will not only lament his life but also symbolize the numerous lives he touched — on television, on radio, and in real life.
Legacy of a Legend
Richard Zachariah’s name is now etched on the pages of Australian media history. From Hamilton to the Adelaide Hills, from radio booths to television screens, his was a life that spanned culture, history, and humanity.
His death is not only the loss of a person, but also the death of an age of media that appreciated storytelling, grace, and integrity. To his listeners, his voice will always be with them in memory — reassuring, captivating, and unique.
As Australia bids farewell to Richard Zachariah, we are reminded of the power of the telling tale. From his stories, he spoke for land, people, and time. And by doing this, Richard Zachariah became a figure in the narrative he so often tried to recount.
FAQs
1. Who was Richard Zachariah?
Richard Zachariah was an Australian television presenter, author, and journalist who was best recognized for co-presenting The Home Show on ABC with Maggie Tabberer during the 1990s.
2. What did Richard Zachariah write?
He wrote The Vanished Land, a book detailing the aristocratic families and country history of Western Victoria, which is proof of his strong affection for the area.
3. When did Richard Zachariah die?
Richard Zachariah passed on April 9, 2025, aged 80, just months since the passing away of his former partner Maggie Tabberer.
4. What was his former relationship with Maggie Tabberer?
They were both professional co-presenters and love partners for a short time. Despite the fact that they broke up later, they still remained close friends and their romance became iconic in Australian media.
5. Where will the funeral of Richard Zachariah take place?
His funeral will be held at Victoria’s Eastern Park Chapel in Warrnambool on April 23, 2025.