by Thinus Ferreira
The South African entertainer Ian von Memerty has died at 61 after ending his life on 23 February.
Ian von Memerty is survived by his ex-wife Vivienne Lawrence, who used to be his dance partner and performed with him across the world, and their two children, Oscar (30) and Kasvia (25).
His first daughter, Valeksa, died in 1998 following complications from the rare genertic disease, Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome.
Ian von Memerty who was a judge on SA's Got Talent from 2009 to 2012 on e.tv and hosted Strictly Come Dancing SA on SABC3 committed suicide after he said in February that he plans to end his life because of financial struggles that he called a "terror" and issues with ageing.
Ian von Memerty's family, in a statement on Sunday, confirmed that he died, noting "We are sad to announce that our beloved Ian von Memerty passed away at the age of 61 in Johannesburg in the early hours of 23 February 2026".
"As a family, we have done everything we can to love and respect him on his journey. We ask for privacy and respect as we deal with our own pain, having lost someone we've loved very much."
Recently, Ian von Memerty did an online weekly video series, Dying for a better life on Facebook and YouTube.
In February, he was in Croatia on holiday leading up to 23 February, when he chose to die.
He said that his decision to end his life "was shaped by 18 months of research and reflection".
In an interview with YOU magazine, Ian von Memerty said that his death would be "quick and painless".
"I've told my friends and family about my decision to end my life and generally, we've all cried terribly. It's hard for them but they understand all my reasons."
The Zimbabwean-born presenter, actor, singer, pianist, dancer, writer and director had a successful stage CV and started his stage career in the 1980s that included directing shows ranging from The Rocky Horror Show and Umoja to Fiela's Child and Grease.
Ian von Memerty received 15 national theatre awards and numerous nominations.
He worked on cruise ships as an entertainer and was also a pet sitter for European families.
