Michael Leunig, a cartoonist for the Australian newspaper ‘The Age,’ has been fired for his controversial vaccination cartoon. Here are a few important details about him.
Michael Leunig is an Australian cartoonist, poet, artist, philosopher, and cultural commentator.
His five-decade career as a cartoonist has come to an end. Last Monday, October 18, 2021, a cryptic announcement in ‘The Age’ stated that ‘The Age’ was ‘trialing new cartoonists.’
Why Is Cartoonist Michael Leunig Fired?
Michael Leunig has been fired from ‘The Age‘ after drawing a comparison between Tiananmen Square and resistance to mandatory vaccinations in Vicotria.
Last month, he self-published a sketch of a lone protester standing in front of a syringe with an inset of the iconic 1989 ‘tank man’ photo, which he shared to his Instagram account.
The picture resembles one of the most iconic images of the twentieth century, which depicted a standoff between an unnamed man and a line of military tanks leaving Beijing after a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy activists.
Mr. Leunig’s drawing, which was never published, enraged supporters of Premier Daniel Andrews and split his followers.
Following that, the newspaper ‘The Age‘ generating concerns about his position.
Michael Leunig Age: How Old Is He?
The cartoonist Michael Leunig’s present age is 76 years old.
His birthplace is East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, where he was born on July 2nd, 1945.
Michael Leunig Wife
Speaking of Michael Leunig’s wife, his first marriage to Pamela Munro ended in divorce. Later, he married his second wife, Helga, in 1992 but they also parted in the 2010s.
A video documentary ‘The Leunig Fragments,’ on his life by Kasimir Burgess, was released in 2020 and highlights many challenges that Leunig has had with familial relationships.
Interestingly, his four children were all born on notable dates: Gus on Guy Fawkes Day 1974, Sunny on Valentine’s Day 1980, Minna on Australian Day 1992, and Felix on Christmas Day 1994.
Moreover, he has also a sister named Mary Leunig, who is also a successful cartoonist. She has a studio in Northcote, Melbourne, and property in northeast Victoria.
What Is Michael Leunig Net Worth?
Michael Leunig’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million -$10 million.
He must have amassed a hefty amount over the course of his five-decade cartooning career.