Kathleen Watkins, wife of Gay Byrne, has died aged 90

Taoiseach Simon Harris said Kathleen was “a magnetic person with a warm and witty personality and presence”.

Kathleen Watkins, who just turned 90 on 17 October, died five years after her husband, RTÉ broadcaster Gay Byrne, whose anniversary fell on 4 November.

Kathleen was a writer, musician and a Senior Times Podcast presenter died earlier today in Dublin, surrounded by her family.

In a statement, her family said: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Kathleen Watkins.

"Kathleen died peacefully surrounded by her loving family in the wonderful care of the team at the Blackrock Clinic. Dublin

Taoiseach Simon Harris was among the first to pay tribute, describing Kathleen as “a magnetic person with a warm and witty personality and presence, as well as her considerable artistic talent”.

“Kathleen and her husband, Gay Byrne, were one of Ireland’s most famous couples and it was always obvious to see their devotion to each other and their family throughout their long and loving marriage,” Harris said in a statement.

“Whilst Gay Byrne is perhaps the most famous face RTÉ has ever produced, Kathleen will always be one of the first faces to appear on screen on RTÉ’s opening night.

In this Ep 2 Kathleen Watkins reflects on her lifelong love of music with Mike Murphy.

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