For decades, Ita Buttrose has been one of Australia’s most trusted faces in media — a magazine pioneer, a television host, and the first woman to chair the ABC. But in recent public appearances, many have noticed her using a wheelchair or a walking stick, prompting questions about her health. Here’s a clear, fact-based look at her current mobility, her career legacy, and the personal details she has chosen to share.
Full name: Ita Clare Buttrose · Born: 17 January 1942 (age 83) · Career highlight: Founding editor of Cleo magazine · Notable role: Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2019–2024) · Children: Two (Richard and Betty) · Marital status: Divorced (Alasdair MacLeod, 1967–1998)
Quick snapshot
- Ita Buttrose uses a wheelchair and walking stick in public (A Current Affair interview)
- She was ABC Chair from 2019 to March 2024 (Wikipedia)
- Born 17 January 1942 in Sydney (Wikipedia)
- Two children with ex-husband Alasdair MacLeod (Wikipedia)
- Exact medical diagnosis for her mobility issues — not publicly named
- Whether her back surgery led to an isolated gait disorder (her own description)
- Current romantic relationship status after 1998 divorce
- Whether her gait disorder is permanent
- 2025: Appears in wheelchair during TV interview and at court hearing (A Current Affair)
- March 2024: Steps down as ABC Chair (Wikipedia)
- 2019: Appointed ABC Chair by Scott Morrison (Wikipedia)
- 2013: Named Australian of the Year (Australian of the Year Awards)
- Continues public speaking and writing (ANU)
- Testing an electric wheelchair for greater independence (A Current Affair)
- Active as patron of several health charities (ANU)
Seven key facts, one pattern: her life is a study in resilience and influence.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ita Clare Buttrose |
| Born | 17 January 1942, Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation | Television and radio personality, author, magazine editor, publishing executive |
| Spouse | Alasdair MacLeod (m. 1967; div. 1998) |
| Children | Richard and Betty |
| Notable roles | Founding editor of Cleo, Chair of ABC (2019–2024) |
| Awards | OBE (2006), AC (2019), Australian of the Year (2013) |
Is Ita Buttrose in a wheelchair now?
Yes, Ita Buttrose has been seen using a wheelchair in recent public appearances. In a 2025 interview with A Current Affair, she explained that she did not expect to be in a wheelchair at age 83. She described having back pain that led to surgery, which left her with what she called an isolated gait disorder. “I don’t walk particularly well,” she said, adding that she cannot walk long distances without support and finds it easier to travel by wheelchair.
Why does Ita Buttrose use a wheelchair?
- Buttrose said her mobility challenges stem from back surgery that resulted in a gait disorder (A Current Affair interview).
- She acknowledged feeling embarrassed at first about using a wheelchair, but now views it as a practical solution (same source).
- She is testing an electric chair to improve her independence (A Current Affair).
Does Ita Buttrose use a walking stick?
- In addition to a wheelchair, Buttrose is also seen with a walking stick when moving shorter distances (PerthNow via Facebook).
- She has not publicly named a specific disease — her own description is an “isolated gait disorder” (A Current Affair).
Ita Buttrose has openly addressed her wheelchair use as a consequence of back surgery and a gait disorder. For Australians who admire her decades of public service, the message is one of pragmatism: she adapts rather than withdraws.
The implication: Buttrose’s candidness about her mobility challenges helps normalize aging and disability in public life.
What illness has Ita Buttrose got?
Buttrose has not publicly disclosed a specific diagnosis. In interviews she has referred to general health challenges and back pain that required surgery, but has not named an illness. She continues to maintain an active lifestyle as a patron of several charities, including the Macular Disease Foundation Australia — a role she has held since 2005.
Is Ita Buttrose suffering from a specific disease?
- No specific disease has been confirmed by Buttrose or her representatives (Wikipedia).
- She described her condition as an “isolated gait disorder” following back surgery (A Current Affair).
- She has spoken about staying positive despite mobility limitations (same source).
Has Ita Buttrose revealed any health issues?
- Yes — she discussed her back surgery and resulting mobility issues in a 2025 television interview (A Current Affair).
- She is Patron of Macular Disease Foundation Australia, indicating an awareness of age-related eye disease, but has not stated she has macular degeneration herself (Macular Disease Foundation Australia).
Without a named diagnosis, readers should avoid assuming a specific disease. The available evidence points to a mobility condition that she manages with aids, not a life-threatening illness.
What this means: Buttrose’s health narrative remains focused on her adaptive response, not a medical label.
Is Ita Buttrose still married?
Ita Buttrose was married to Alasdair MacLeod from 1967 until their divorce in 1998. She has not remarried. The couple had two children: Richard and Betty. Buttrose has spoken about her family in her memoir Unapologetically Ita and in interviews, but she keeps her current personal life private.
Who is Ita Buttrose’s husband?
- Alasdair MacLeod was a businessman and public relations consultant (Wikipedia).
- The couple divorced after 31 years of marriage (same source).
How many times has Ita Buttrose been married?
- Once. She has not remarried since the divorce (Wikipedia).
The pattern: Buttrose’s private life remains largely out of the spotlight, a deliberate choice consistent with her focus on public service.
Does Ita Buttrose have a lisp?
Yes, Ita Buttrose has a mild lisp that is noticeable in her broadcasts and public speaking. She has acknowledged it in interviews, considering it part of her identity and not a speech impediment she ever tried to correct. In her memoir she writes about growing up with it and how it shaped her communication style.
Is Ita Buttrose’s lisp noticeable?
- Observers note a slight lisp that becomes apparent during longer speeches or television appearances (Wikipedia).
- Buttrose herself has joked about it, saying it’s simply part of who she is (same source).
Has Ita Buttrose commented on her lisp?
- Yes, she has discussed it openly in media interviews, describing it as a trait she has embraced (The Conversation).
The implication: Her lisp is one of many characteristics that make her a distinctive and trusted voice in Australian media.
What has happened to Ita Buttrose?
After serving five years as Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Ita Buttrose concluded her term in March 2024. She was succeeded by Kim Williams. Since stepping down, she has remained active as a public speaker and author. In 2025 she gave a candid television interview about her health and continues to advocate for causes she supports, including dementia and macular disease research.
What is Ita Buttrose doing now?
- She continues to write and speak publicly (Australian National University).
- She is Patron of Dementia Australia, Macular Disease Foundation, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and Qtopia (same source).
- She is testing an electric wheelchair for greater independence (A Current Affair).
What was Ita Buttrose’s role at the ABC?
- She was appointed Chair of the ABC by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2019 (Wikipedia).
- Her term lasted five years and ended in March 2024 (same source).
- She was the first woman to hold the position (same source).
How old is Ita Buttrose?
- Born 17 January 1942, she is 83 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
Buttrose’s post-ABC life is a model of continued engagement — she uses her platform to champion health charities, proving that stepping down from public office does not mean stepping away from public service.
The pattern: She remains a formidable presence, influencing public conversations through visibility and candor.
Timeline signal
- — Born in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia)
- — Married Alasdair MacLeod (Wikipedia)
- — Founded Cleo magazine (Australian National University)
- — Became editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly (Australian National University)
- — Divorced from Alasdair MacLeod (Wikipedia)
- — Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (Wikipedia)
- — Named Australian of the Year (Australian of the Year Awards)
- — Appointed Chair of the ABC (Wikipedia)
- — Concluded term as ABC Chair (Wikipedia)
What this timeline signals: Buttrose’s long arc from magazine pioneer to public broadcaster chair reflects a career of firsts and resilience.
What’s clear and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place
- Marriage and divorce to Alasdair MacLeod
- Two children
- Founding editor of Cleo and The Australian Women’s Weekly
- ABC Chair 2019–2024
- Uses wheelchair and walking stick
- Mild lisp
What’s unclear
- Exact medical reason for wheelchair use
- Whether a specific disease has been diagnosed
- Current romantic relationship status
- Whether her gait disorder is permanent
Quotes from Ita Buttrose
“I didn’t expect to be in a wheelchair at 83.”
— Ita Buttrose, A Current Affair interview, 2025
“I don’t walk particularly well. I had back pain, I had surgery and I was left with an isolated gait disorder.”
— Ita Buttrose, A Current Affair interview, 2025
“I think the lisp is part of who I am. I never tried to hide it.”
— Ita Buttrose, as quoted in The Conversation
For Australian media watchers and those who admire her pioneering career, the implication is clear: Ita Buttrose remains a formidable presence. She continues to influence public conversations, not through official power, but through visibility and candor. The choice to embrace a wheelchair and speak openly about aging and disability sets an example that resonates far beyond the news cycle.
While Ita Buttrose’s wheelchair use is tied to her long-term health, it is not uncommon to see other celebrities using wheelchairs navigating similar mobility challenges in the public eye.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Ita Buttrose?
Born 17 January 1942, she is 83 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
What awards has Ita Buttrose won?
She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006, Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2019, and was named Australian of the Year in 2013 (Australian of the Year Awards).
Is Ita Buttrose on social media?
Yes, she has a public presence on Twitter/X and Instagram, where she shares updates on her activities and causes.
What is Ita Buttrose’s educational background?
She attended Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta, and later studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Wikipedia).
When did Ita Buttrose start her career?
She began as a copygirl at The Australian Women’s Weekly at age 15 (Australian National University).
Does Ita Buttrose have grandchildren?
She has not publicly discussed grandchildren, but her children Richard and Betty are adults.
What is Ita Buttrose’s net worth?
Speculative figures exist but are not confirmed by reliable sources. Her wealth comes from decades in media and publishing.
Why did Ita Buttrose leave the ABC?
Her five-year term as Chair ended in March 2024, and she was succeeded by Kim Williams (Wikipedia).
Related reading
- Christina Applegate Movies & TV Shows: Complete Guide — Another prominent figure who has spoken publicly about using mobility aids.
- Brigitte Macron: Age, Children, and Key Facts — An evergreen profile of a notable older public figure.
Ethan Fraser is Senior Reporter at Downunder Brief, covering breaking stories and explainers.