Rolf Harris died on 10 May 2023 at the age of 93. His official cause of death, listed on his death certificate, was neck cancer and frailty of old age. The disgraced entertainer passed away at his home in Bray, Berkshire, though his death was not publicly confirmed until 23 May 2023.
New Documentary Chronicles His Crimes
A new Prime Video documentary, Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator, lays bare his decades of abuse. The two-part series features previously unseen interviews with survivors speaking about their experiences for the first time. It begins with his childhood in Perth and rise to stardom in Australia, revealing how he manipulated and abused children and teenage girls behind closed doors.
A synopsis for the documentary states: "More than a fallen celebrity story, it examines how charisma, institutional loyalty and cultural reverence allowed a predator to flourish and honours the resilience of those who refused to let his crimes be forgotten."
Prison Sentence and Final Years
Harris was found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against four female victims aged between eight and 19. He was sentenced to five years and nine months' imprisonment on 4 July 2014. He served nearly three years at HM Prison Stafford before being released on licence in 2017. One conviction, relating to an eight-year-old admirer in Portsmouth, was quashed as unsafe, but his remaining 11 convictions stood after appeal attempts failed.
After release, Harris lived as a recluse in Bray, Berkshire, with his wife Alwen Hughes, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He rarely left the house or opened his curtains. In 2019, a headteacher told him to leave the grounds of a primary school after he was caught waving at pupils.
Health Decline and Death
From October 2022, Harris battled neck cancer, requiring tube feeding and losing his ability to speak. He was cremated at a small, private ceremony before his death was announced. His wife Alwen Hughes died on 10 August 2024 at age 92.
Rolf Harris: Primetime Predator is available to stream on Prime Video.
