Home Australia Famous cartoonist Michael Leunig’s sister Mary celebrates the death of her ‘awful abuser’ sibling: ‘Time to celebrate’

Famous cartoonist Michael Leunig’s sister Mary celebrates the death of her ‘awful abuser’ sibling: ‘Time to celebrate’

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Mary Leunig, above, sister of famous cartoonist Michael Leunig, celebrated his death on Instagram.

EXCLUSIVE

The sister of famous cartoonist Michael Leunig celebrated her brother’s death on Instagram, describing him as a sexual abuser and shameless attention seeker.

In a post that received praise from her followers, Mary Leunig wrote just a week after her 79-year-old brother’s death: “I have been wishing him death for some time.”

Mary apologized for rejoicing at his death in the post, titled ‘Boxing Day, Michael dead’, but explained it was ‘just because of his contact with my children’. Michael’s fame… Michael was always in sight, always performing, bathing in his celebrity.

‘So, leaving aside the sexual abuse and attacks on his wife, how do I feel about her death?

“It’s a relief, a time to celebrate what’s left of my family… and all the animals, the birds, the people, nature and everything.”

He also reproduced one of his cartoons titled ‘I’m finally getting the recognition I deserve by shooting my brother in the butt.’

Mary Leunig, above, sister of famous cartoonist Michael Leunig, celebrated his death on Instagram.

Michael Leunig died at age 79 on December 19. That led his sister Mary to publicly describe him as an abuser and shameless attention seeker.

Michael Leunig died at age 79 on December 19. That led his sister Mary to publicly describe him as an abuser and shameless attention seeker.

It shows her smiling as she shoots Michael through the seat of his jeans, his insides exploding into dollar signs on the front.

Mary Leunig had previously accused her brother of being a sexual abuser in comments on her Facebook account and publicly attacked him in media reports.

But his accusations have not been proven by the courts and he is not known to have responded to her claims while he was alive.

Mary’s post attracted many likes and comments from her followers.

One woman wrote: ‘What f***ing strong and open truthfulness. Beware of what causes horror in you,’ while one woman said, ‘the darkest part is revealed. Strength and solidarity with you @maryleunig’,

Another wrote: ‘I love that you speak loud and clear. I know it probably seems obvious and natural, but it takes strength and courage to know what can come back. I wish you a very happy 2025.’

Others wished him power and love and one friend wrote: ‘I have been thinking of you often since his death. I’m so happy for you and I hope you find all of this peaceful, kind, and full of possibilities.

Mary Leunig, whose work has a very dark vein of humor, is a highly regarded cartoonist.

But his brother’s cartoons, including the famous ‘Mr. Curly’ and his whimsical satire made him a household name.

During a 55-year career as a newspaper cartoonist, he was declared a national living treasure by the National Trust for his contributions to Australian culture.

Mary Leunig's revelations about her abusive, fame-loving brother have drawn praise and support for her honesty and strength.

Mary Leunig’s revelations about her abusive, fame-loving brother have drawn praise and support for her honesty and strength.

Mary Leunig addressed the secret rift caused by her brother's actions on Instagram just a week after his death on December 19.

Mary Leunig addressed the secret rift caused by her brother’s actions on Instagram just a week after his death on December 19.

He was sacked by Nine newspaper The Age in August 2024. This followed years of controversy over his cartoons. critical of Victoria’s ‘no poke, no play’ vaccination policies and pandemic lockdowns.

One cartoon that generated controversy in particular showed a lone man standing in front of a loaded syringe, referencing the iconic image of a protester in front of a tank in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989.

A 2019 cartoon depicting a young mother “too busy on Instagram” to care for her son drew public criticism from Mary, who criticized it for being “mean” and deliberately “feminist bullying.”

She revealed that they had been separated for years and claimed that he unfairly harasses women and mothers.

‘I know the mothers. I talk to women with children and the burden they carry… And they’re not the people Michael thinks they are.’

Michael Leunig was known for his outlandish cartoons but was fired when they became political and anti-vaccine during the Covid lockdown.

Michael Leunig was known for his outlandish cartoons but was fired when they became political and anti-vaccine during the Covid lockdown.

The cartoon that led to Leunig's firing showed a lone man standing in front of a loaded syringe, referencing the iconic image of a protester in front of a tank in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.

The cartoon that led to Leunig’s firing showed a lone man standing in front of a loaded syringe, referencing the iconic image of a protester in front of a tank in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in 1989.

But Mary Leunig’s Boxing Day note alludes to a deep family divide.

One person commented: ‘Complex family relationships lead to complex losses (at least in my experience). All the best and kindness.’

Another wrote: “I can’t imagine what it felt like when the world, especially the art world, praised you last week, but you did it and, in addition to the family you have left, you have us.” And… exhale.’

Following Michael Leunig’s death, he was described as “loved”, although he “never worried about being considered unconventional”.

And despite being retired after his work was targeted by “woke” activists, according to a fellow cartoonist, his cartoons of “wonderful innocence…will certainly live on forever.”

On Instagram, people wished Mary Leunig after her revelations about her brother, “freedom” and “I’m with Mary.”

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