Radio broadcasting legend John Laws has made a remarkable posthumous gesture to his devoted personal assistant, ensuring her financial security from beyond the grave by forgiving the remaining balance of a substantial $600,000 loan he provided for her apartment purchase.
Special Provision for a Trusted Confidant
While Laws left the vast majority of his multimillion-dollar estate to be divided equally among his five children and four stepchildren, he created a special exception in his will for Jodee Borgo, who served as his chief organizer, gatekeeper, and protector for three decades until his death at age 90 in November 2024.
Property records reveal that Ms Borgo acquired a three-bedroom unit in Sydney's prestigious Double Bay area for $1,060,000 in October 2002, with Laws providing significant financial assistance through a $600,000 advance.
A Heartfelt Recognition of Service
In his will, Laws explicitly stated that Ms Borgo should receive "such amount as shall be sufficient to satisfy the balance of the debt owing by her to me in respect of her apartment." He further declared that this generous gift represented "recognition of her ongoing care, assistance and friendship to my late wife and myself."
The document, obtained by the Daily Mail, specified that Ms Borgo's debt forgiveness should take priority over other bequests, which included $500,000 payments to each of Laws's nine children and stepchildren.
A Thirty-Year Professional Partnership
Ms Borgo began working with Laws around 1995 during his fourth tenure at radio station 2UE. She remained by his side through his four-year "retirement" period starting in 2007 and continued her support when he returned to broadcasting at 2SM in 2011.
Following the death of Laws's beloved wife Caroline in February 2020, Ms Borgo's role expanded significantly as she became her boss's primary confidant during his final years.
Family Integration and Professional Dedication
In a 2013 profile published in The Weekend Australian Magazine, Ms Borgo described the talkback titan as a "very good boss" and noted that she had become an integral part of his extended family over their long professional relationship.
On his final day at the 2SM studio in November 2024, Laws took time during his broadcast to publicly thank Ms Borgo for her instrumental role in sustaining his remarkable radio career, which had begun back in 1953.
Comprehensive Estate Planning
Laws executed his final will in September 2022, appointing Ms Borgo as an executor and trustee alongside his solicitor James Harrowell and accountant William Shrorock. While the document doesn't specify the exact value of his estate, estimates from two decades earlier suggested Laws had accumulated personal wealth approaching $100 million.
The broadcasting icon made several notable charitable bequests, including a generous donation of nine paintings and an ink drawing to the Art Gallery of NSW, which he hoped would be displayed as The John and Caroline Laws Collection.
Artistic Legacy and Asset Distribution
This artistic collection featured works by prominent Australian artists including John Peter Russell, Rupert Bunny, Brett Whiteley, and John Glover. Laws's will provided detailed instructions for distributing items from what he termed "the Collection," with pieces valued over $50,000 designated for various galleries and those under $10,000 allocated to his children and stepchildren.
Proceeds from the sale of Laws's primary residence on the Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, along with his vehicles, investments, shares, and superannuation, were directed into the John Laws Trust for equal distribution among his nine beneficiaries.
A Lifetime of Extraordinary Wealth
Throughout his illustrious career, Laws never concealed his substantial fortune or luxurious lifestyle, which included regular European vacations, daily fine dining experiences, and an impressive collection of luxury vehicles.
During his peak earning years in the 1990s, Laws reportedly earned $11.6 million in a single year, establishing himself among the world's highest-paid radio presenters. His 1990 contract with 2UE alone was worth $3 million annually, supplemented by approximately $1 million from on-air endorsements and an estimated $2 million from additional advertising work.
Strategic Investments and Property Portfolio
Laws demonstrated considerable business acumen through strategic investments, particularly in the radio industry. He was among the original owners of 2DAY FM in 1980, investing $150,000 for a 30 percent stake that he sold seven years later for $15 million.
His property transactions reflected similar financial success. In 2001, Laws and Caroline purchased a Finger Wharf apartment for $3 million, later acquiring the unit above for approximately $15 million in 2005. He sold the lower level of this property in 2024 for about $12.5 million.
Lavish Lifestyle and Personal Passions
At various points, Laws maintained an extraordinary collection of 38 vehicles, including a $400,000 Bentley, classic cars like a Fiat Topolino and 1963 Volkswagen Beetle, and even a World War II-era Willys Jeep.
Between 2002 and 2006, he held majority ownership in his favorite restaurant, Otto Ristorante on the Finger Wharf, where he dined regularly for breakfast and lunch over 25 years.
In October 2016, Laws sold 17 vehicles from his collection, generating over $1.1 million from the sale of Rolls-Royces, Mercedes-Benzes, Jaguars, a motor cruiser, and personalized number plates.
Final Acts of Generosity
Beyond the significant provision for Ms Borgo, Laws's will included a $150,000 bequest to his sister Jennifer Harris and waived all personal debts owed by the will's beneficiaries. While the document made no specific mention of his iconic golden microphone—which was attached to his coffin during funeral services—it comprehensively addressed the distribution of his considerable assets.
This final testament not only secured the financial future of his family members but also honored the three decades of dedicated service provided by his trusted assistant, ensuring her loyalty received meaningful recognition through the forgiveness of her substantial housing debt.
