Ross Gittins, the Herald’s hallowed economics editor and regular columnist for The Age, will return soon after recovering from a serious illness that left him hospitalised for months.
Gittins, 78, fell ill during a holiday in late October last year. An infection had moved to his heart, leaving him in a critical condition. Three doctors worked to save his life in a marathon eight-hour surgery, and he spent weeks in intensive care.
“I got an infection that spread to my heart, and really started wrecking the joint – I mean that fairly literally,” Gittins said.
Gittins, who celebrated his 50th anniversary at the Herald in 2024, spent three months in hospital and another month in rehabilitation to help his body recover and build strength.
He hopes to return home in the next few weeks, and to be back in the pages of the Herald and The Age soon after. “It’s been the worst period of my life, but in a sense that means I’m a fortunate Baby Boomer,” said Gittins. “I’m keen to get back to normal life, which includes being a journalist.”
Throughout the ordeal, Gittins’ wife of almost 50 years, Claudia Sloan, has been by his side. “Without her support, I don’t think I could have got through this,” he said.
Over his five decades at the Herald, Gittins has written thousands of columns, and covered 50 federal budgets and 20 federal elections. He has seen 11 prime ministers and 16 federal treasurers come and go, starting with Gough Whitlam and Frank Crean.
In his absence, journalist and columnist Millie Muroi has looked after Gittins’ newsletter, keeping his readers abreast of economic news.
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Jordan Baker is Chief Reporter of The Sydney Morning Herald. She was previously Education Editor.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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