Tributes pour in as beloved Channel Seven star dies after suffering health emergency while driving

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trailblazing television personality Marion Leyer tragically passed away at the age of 84, following a sudden health issue while driving.

In the realm of Australian television, Leyer held a cherished position, having worked for over several decades with Perth’s Channels Seven and Ten, starting her career back in 1960 at the age of 18.

A close acquaintance within our family circle sadly announced on social media that Leyer tragically passed away due to an aortic dissection she experienced during a drive in Perth.

Although she managed to stop the car and call an ambulance, she passed away the following morning. 

Born in Europe in 1941, Leyer arrived in Perth with her family in 1954 when she was 12 years old. 

She began her career at TVW 7 in 1960 as a secretary and swiftly advanced in her career.

Due to her strong work attitude, she swiftly advanced into TV production, eventually earning significant respect as a successful producer and director for several legendary shows on Channel Seven during that period.

Leyer was recognized for his work on programs like Children’s Channel 7, a venue that offered talent competitions, trivia contests, and interactive games, in addition to the educational game shows It’s Academic and Post Office.

Between 1971 and 1975, she led the country’s children’s variety show titled “Stars of the Future,” a program that amassed four Logie Awards throughout the ’70s.

She also played a key role in launching TVW’s inaugural Channel Seven Christmas Pageant in 1972. 

John’s company, led by his wife, constructed almost all the float foundations. Meanwhile, Leyer was working discreetly to secure a successful outcome for the event.

From 1976 to 1979, she was responsible for significant productions such as the 24-hour Telethon series, annual Christmas Pageants, a weekly program for teens titled Hey Jude, along with numerous standalone specials.

Additionally, she played a part in significant broadcast events like the debut of color television, the grand opening of the Perth Entertainment Centre, and the 1978 American television special titled “Bob Hope Down Under.

A versatile woman, Leyer, was tasked with translating technical manuals from German specifically for the engineering team following TVW’s acquisition of Fernseh cameras, which they utilized for outdoor broadcasts.

Later on, she created Celebrity Challenges and assumed the position of TVW Production Manager in October 1979, a job that significantly boosted her standing as a strong figure in an industry primarily inhabited by men during that period.

Following a quarter-century tenure at Seven, Leyer transitioned into consulting work with the Australian Olympic Federation, where he played a part in creating Olympathon for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Later, he assumed the position of Director of Production at the freshly established NEW Channel Ten in Perth.

Those who worked with her remember her calm, steady presence and unwavering professionalism. 

One ex-colleague once expressed that throughout one’s life, there are individuals who leave lasting impressions due to recognizing potential within you or taking a risk on you.

Marion exuded a tranquil, nearly meditative aura, and possessed an unwavering confidence in her abilities that even the most boisterous men couldn’t rattle. She was exceptionally skilled at working with presenters, possessing an intuitive understanding and a wealth of knowledge.

‘She was an exceptional and genuinely marvelous mentor for me, leaving me utterly astonished and deeply grieved, as another individual commented.’

In Australian television, Leyer is fondly recalled as an innovative, committed, and highly esteemed individual.

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2025-09-12 03:55