Well-known South African pianist, dancer and television star Ian Von Memerty has died at the age of 61.
The entertainment personality, best known as a judge on SA’s Got Talent and as host of Strictly Come Dancing, had in recent months drawn significant attention with a series of videos titled “Dying for a Better Life.”
In the videos, he shared his views on death and spoke about taking ownership of one’s life and death. Although he never revealed details about his own plans for what he referred to as “self-liberation,” which he described as an alternative to suicide, he said he had long known when he would carry it out.
Von Memerty’s family announced on his Facebook page today that he had died last Monday after returning from overseas. He took his life at a hotel in Johannesburg.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Viv, and their two children.
The entertainment personality, best known as a judge on SA’s Got Talent and as host of Strictly Come Dancing, had in recent months drawn significant attention with a series of videos titled “Dying for a Better Life.”
In the videos, he shared his views on death and spoke about taking ownership of one’s life and death. Although he never revealed details about his own plans for what he referred to as “self-liberation,” which he described as an alternative to suicide, he said he had long known when he would carry it out.
Von Memerty’s family announced on his Facebook page today that he had died last Monday after returning from overseas. He took his life at a hotel in Johannesburg.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Viv, and their two children.