Archie Roach was a musician from Australia who has now passed away after fighting an illness for a long time. Ruby Hunter, his wife, was his musical companion but died in 2010 due to a heart attack.
Archie, who died at age 66, was a talented Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist whose most famous song, Took the Children Away. It detailed his own sad life experience—and served to educate Australians about one of their country’s worst chapters.
It earned him two Aria awards, Australia’s equivalent of a Grammy, and an International Human Rights Achievement award, cemented his place as one of the country’s most unique and famous musicians, touring alongside Billy Bragg, Bob Dylan, and Patti Smith.
He was one of the lost generations of Aboriginal children who were forcefully removed from their homes by government agencies under protection era laws and practices for almost a century.
Is Archie Roach Blind? Illness Before Death
Archie Roach was not blind before his death, but he had been suffering from a serious illness for a long time. There have been no medical reports of Archie being blind, but he had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for a long time.
Archie, a singer and composer, had disclosed that he was gravely sick when he was inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame on November 25, last year, playing from a location near the hospital with a medical department in tow and an ambulance waiting outside.
Roach had been suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease for years, but it worsened in November. He was taken to Warrnambool base hospital and spent several days in intensive care.
He was carried in an ambulance from the hospital to claim the prize through a webcast in the southwest Victorian from the Lighthouse Theatre, a seaside town where he also played, with his medical team sitting backstage.
What Happened To Wife Ruby Hunter?
Ruby Hunter was the wife of Archie Roach. She was also his musical partner and Ruby died on February 17, 2010, at the age of 54.
The singer died of a stroke while working in the Kimberley area on October 14, 2010. Despite his triumphs, Archie’s life took a drastic turn when he unexpectedly lost the love of his life.
Archie’s health deteriorated as he struggled to cope with Ruby’s death. He was devastated by her passing. He had a massive stroke and was diagnosed with cancer a year later.
As a result, he had half of his lung removed. Roach mentioned that his spirituality and faith in music helped him get through this challenging time in his life.
Where Are His Kids Amos and Eban?
Archie Roach is survived by his two sons, Amos Roach and Eban Roach, who will carry his legacy. Following a protracted illness, Roach died on July 30, 2022, at Warrnambool Base Hospital.
His sons, Amos and Eban, have permitted his name and likeness to be used indefinitely “so that his legacy may continue to inspire.” Kriss, Arthur, and Terrence are foster children.
Roach guesses that they unofficially looked after another 15 to 20 children throughout the years, though he has never bothered to count the number.