The former “first lady” – who counted former Prime Minister of Greece Andreas Papandreou and Greek actress, singer and politician Melina Mercouri as her friends – has passed away aged 92.
As the wife of former prime minister of Australia Gough Whitlam, Margaret was not only known for her own strong personality and sharp wit, but also for her love of Greece.
Her and her husband had visited the Hellenic Republic more than 25 times.
The memorial service held last week was attended by various political dignitaries including current PM Julia Gillard and past leaders Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and Kevin Rudd. But the service was very much a family affair at heart, not a political one. Her family were offered a state funeral for the lady named an Australian National Treasure, but declined.
Margaret is survived by her husband; four children Antony, Nicholas, Stephen and Catherine; her grandchildren Alex, Alice, Helen, Edward and Peter; and her great grandchildren Oscar, Isabella, Charlotte and Sam.
