Rosalie Kunoth-Monks was an Aboriginal advocate, nun, shire president, and a senate candidate in the Northern Territory. Continue reading the article to learn more about the individual.
Rosalie Kunoth-Monks died at the age of 85 in an Alice Springs hospital after a truly inspirational and diverse career.
The Arrernte and Anmatjerre woman, born in Utopia, north of Alice Springs was a vocal supporter of Indigenous people. She was a veteran of the Aboriginal Struggle for more than sixty years, living an extraordinary life of service to her people.
Who Was Rosalie Kunoth-Monks?
Rosalie Kunoth-Monks was an Indigenous Aboriginal activist, caregiver, nun, and actress. She was born to her parents, Alan and Ruby Kunoth in a river bed on Utopia Station in Central Australia.
Her father Alan was of German and Aboriginal ancestry while her mother, Ruby was a traditional Aboriginal woman from Utopia Station.
Just when I thought today couldn’t get any heavier. Heartbroken to learn of the passing of staunch warrior woman Aunty Rosalie Kunoth Monks. In 1953 she became the first Aboriginal woman to play a leading role in a feature film as the character JEDDA who I was named after (cont) pic.twitter.com/BSrZcrfdha
— Jedda Costa (@CostaJedda) January 26, 2022
Rosalie traveled between stations as a child while Alan worked as a shearer, allowing her to remain with her family at a time when other children were being taken.
She was raised in a traditional Aboriginal manner and did not learn English. However, at the age of 12, her parents decided she should go to school in Alice Springs, where she stayed at St Mary’s Hostel for Aboriginal children.
It was in St Mary’s school where Elsa Chauvel saw her and cast her in the Australian classic movie, Jedda.
Later in an interview, Rosalie explains how uncomfortable it was for her, as well as how the filmmakers credited her as ‘Ngarla’ Kunoth against her wishes.
Rosalie afterward spent ten fulfilling years as a nun in a Melbourne convent before leaving to establish Victoria’s first Aboriginal hostel.
She remained active in social work and politics, as well as as an advocate for Aboriginal people.
Rosalie Kunith-Monks Partner Bill Monks- Death Cause
Rosalie Knith -Monks was married to her husband, Bill Monks in 1970. Hearing the unexpected news of her death, her supporters are concerned about what happened to her and wanted to know the cause of her death.
According to her family, several strokes were the cause of her death.
She died peacefully in Alice Springs hospital on January 26th, 2022 to a stroke surrounded by family.
Aboriginal activist, Jedda actor and human rights campaigner Rosalie Kunoth-Monks has died, aged 85. @ABCIndigenous @abcnews https://t.co/SPOIVkkPFY
— Jai Marcus McAllister™️ (@JaiMcAllisterx) January 27, 2022
The couple has a beautiful daughter, Ngarla Kunoth-Monks, and grandchildren, Amelia and Ruby. All of them are known to follow her parents’ footprints and are dedicated to social justice and direct action at the local level.
Rosalie Kunoth Monk’s death has resulted in a significant loss for the nation. She is carrying a National Treasure and one of Aboriginal Australia’s greatest warrior women with her.
At the time of her death, she was 85 years old. She has performed several social works and has been engaged in politics throughout her life.
Paul Everingham, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, has once appointed her as an adviser. Similarly in 2008, she was an Amnesty International spokesperson in Canberra, condemning the Federal Government’s intervention in the Territory as a violation of human rights.
In 2015, she was named Northern Territory Australian of the Year. There are many such titles she has been honored with.
Rosalie Kunoth-Monks Net Worth- How Rich Was She?
Rosalie Kunoth-Monks’s net worth at the time of her death is estimated to be $3million. She was a national treasure, who served as a political adviser, a shire president, an environmental campaigner, an interpreter, and a political candidate.
Indigenous rights activist and actor Rosalie Kunoth-Monks OAM has died https://t.co/BBsRSKe70T
— ABC News (@abcnews) January 27, 2022
Though she has never revealed her assets and wealth, he assumed she must have earned a fortune. However, she is also known for donating and using all her income for the welfare of an indigenous group of people.