Boy George’s family heartbreak
<p>Boy George’s mother, Dinah O’Dowd, has died at the age of 84.</p>
<p>The news, confirmed by George’s representatives, explained that Dinah had been surrounded by her loved ones at the time of her passing, and that the singer was “devastated” with the loss. </p>
<p>“I am very sad to confirm the news of the passing of Boy George’s beloved mother, Dinah. George is devastated, as are the family,” the statement from George’s manager read. “They were all by her bedside when she passed, and George was holding her hand. </p>
<p>He wants me to extend his deep gratitude to the huge outpouring of love and support he is receiving, and whilst he can’t respond he feels grateful and the messages help. </p>
<p>“George and his family would politely now request some privacy to be able to grieve and come to terms with their heartbreaking loss.” </p>
<p>Dinah had six children - George, four brothers, and one sister - with Jeremiah, who passed away in 2003 at the age of 72. George has opened up in the past about the poor treatment and abuse Dinah faced from Jeremiah.</p>
<p>While the singer has not yet spoken publicly about the family’s terrible loss, one of his friends - DJ Fat Tony - took to social media to pay tribute, sharing an old picture of the late Dinah. </p>
<p>“God bless you, you amazing woman Dinah,” he wrote, before adding that his heart goes out to the entire O’Dowd family, “what an incredibly beautiful strong woman, we will miss you.”</p>
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<p>In 2020, George shared that Dinah had been hospitalised “for two days”, but that she was soon able to return home. As the COVID-19 pandemic was in its early days, he specified that “it was not corona related, so that’s good.” </p>
<p>“It wasn’t what we initially thought,” he said at the time, “so everything about it was just getting her home from the hospital because obviously with everything that’s going on, my mum’s 82, so it’s not the best place for her to be.” </p>
<p>In November 2022, while George was participating in the UK’s edition of <em>I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here</em>, Dinah opened up about her love for her son.</p>
<p>When MP Matt Hancock - Britain’s health secretary who had to resign during the pandemic - entered the reality competition, George almost left the jungle - he was still sensitive over his mum’s 2020 hospitalisation. </p>
<p>“George and I are very close,” she told <em>The Mirror</em>, “and I’m so very proud of him. </p>
<p>"He is always there for me, so his reaction wasn't a surprise, and I am waiting to hug him when he gets home."</p>
<p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>
