January 21, 2026
The Royal Society of New South Wales was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AO CVO DistFRSN on 20 January 2026 at the age of 95. Dame Marie Bashir was the 37th Governor of New South Wales, from March 2001 to October 2014, and the first woman to serve in this role, during which she was the Patron of the Royal Society of New South Wales.
Dame Marie was also a Distinguished Fellow of the Society, recognised for her extraordinary and pre-eminent service to the administration, public life and people of New South Wales, to medicine, particularly as an advocate for improved mental health outcomes for the young, marginalised and disadvantaged, to international relations, through the promotion of collaborative health programs and as a leader in tertiary education.
She is remembered as a figure of uncommon grace, intellect, and public devotion. Her tenure as Governor of New South Wales and her lifelong commitment to mental health, Indigenous wellbeing, and education shaped a legacy that resonated far beyond the institutions she guided.
As Patron, she brought warmth, curiosity, and a deep respect for scholarship to the Society’s mission, strengthening its role as a forum for scientific and cultural advancement, and encouraging and championing the value of rigorous inquiry in public life.
Born in 1930 and trained as a psychiatrist, Dame Marie combined professional excellence with a profound humanity. She leaves behind a legacy defined by service, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of knowledge to improve lives.
The Council of the Society conveys its deepest sympathies to Dame Marie’s family.
