Adriana Xenides, once the glamorous hostess of Wheel of Fortune, was fighting a series of personal battles in the lead-up to her death last Monday, her family said to media.
Speaking publicly for the first time since Xenides died, aged 54, at Sydney’s Liverpool Hospital on Monday, her family said the former model’s last few years were hard.
“Adriana’s public persona was well known, but privately, she had to deal with a number of health, emotional, financial and family issues that were difficult,” her cousin Jim said in a statement issued on behalf of the family.
“Adriana lived most of her life in the public eye, including all the ups and downs.
“She was certainly loved by many Australians, and this empathy was very important to her, especially after her media persona and profile had waned over the last six or seven years.”
Xenides passed away at 4.40pm (AEST) on Monday, after reportedly suffering a ruptured intestine.
Jim, who did not give his surname, said she was surrounded by a group of her closest relatives and friends who were able to attend at short notice.
“Adriana has at last found the peace, tranquillity and rest that were difficult for her to find over the last three or four years as her general health had deteriorated,” he said.
She had been admitted to hospital, just days before her death, with a stomach complaint, part of ongoing intestinal problems.
Her ill-health, which also included depression and exhaustion, caused Xenides to eventually retire from Wheel of Fortune after 18 years.
She slipped from the public eye in 1999, before briefly returning as a guest on Celebrity Big Brother, Beauty and the Beast, and Catch Phrase.
“As we look at how her life unfolded, she certainly made her mark, and could not be missed or ignored,” Jim said, adding she was considered a happy, positive, interested, helpful and open person by those who knew her.
“Adriana’s love for animals, and her dogs (especially Red who she had over the last 13-odd years), was well known.
“She was a more than willing contributor to a number of charities, attended many a telethon, hosted many cancer fund raising events and was always prepared to help any worthy cause if it was at all possible for her.
