On December 15, 2011 the iconic Molly Meldrum fell from a ladder while at his home in Richmond. The accident left Meldrum with multiple fractured bones — including his ribs, vertebrae and skull — and forced medical staff to place him in an induced coma.
Update: Watch Molly Meldrum’s Today Tonight Interview
Fortunately for Meldrum’s family, friends, the countless people that this has affected and, of course, the man himself, the 65-year-old’s condition continually improved and on January 20, 2012 Meldrum was transferred out of hospital.
Now just over 4 months since the accident, Meldrum has released an open letter of appreciation to all those who helped with his recovery and sent their love and support.
The letter was originally published by The Herald Sun and a televised interview will air tonight on Channel 7’s Today Tonight.
Read: Molly Meldrum’s Open Letter:
As you know, I’ve been out on the tiles a number of times. But never like this. My life changed forever when I fell off the roof on December 15 last year.
I can’t say my life flashed before my eyes, but I have had plenty of time to reflect in the past few weeks, and I realise just how lucky I am.
It’s lovely being in the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame; it’s even better to be alive.
I’ve heard all the jokes:
What do Molly and St Kilda have in common?
They both can’t stay at the top of the ladder.
It’s just great to be able to laugh about it.
Every day is a new adventure.
The other day, the phone rang. “May I please speak with Molly?” the man said.
My friend Lizzie Joyce answered the phone because I was having a rest. She hates it when people don’t identify themselves.
“Who’s calling?” she demanded.
“It’s Elton, Elton John.”
Lizzie was a little fazed when she told me: “There’s someone on the phone claiming to be Elton John.”
It was Elton, and he sounded concerned. “What happened, dear?” he asked. “We were together at my concert in Melbourne and then I hear you’re in a critical condition. Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” I replied, “just remember that song I’m Still Standing.”
John and Roger from Duran Duran dropped in to see me, and then dedicated that night’s show to me. John told the Rod Laver crowd: “We don’t usually dedicate our shows, but we’ll dedicate this one to Molly, who we love to death.”
That meant a lot.
A week later, Adam Ant dedicated Ant Music to me at his Palace show and kindly said that Countdown broke him in Australia.
I’ve received emails from hundreds of people, including Madonna, David Bowie and Mick Jagger.
Kylie and Michael Buble sent cards and flowers.
Julia Gillard sent a card and called me. She’s all class.
And Ted Baillieu dropped in to say hello. “You’re a national treasure, Molly,” Ted told me.
I don’t think I am, but it was a lovely thing to say.
It’s nice having famous friends, but the amount of support I’ve received from the general public has been truly overwhelming.
I’m not sure I deserve all this attention, but it has certainly boosted my spirits.
I’ve got bags of cards from people that I’ve never met.
Melbourne Storm put together a book featuring all the text messages that were shown at Federation Square.
St Kilda compiled a book with messages from the players, staff and supporters.
So many messages touched me, including this one:
Molly, you are sick. I feel sad. You need to get better very soon. Love from Bella, Age 4
People have sent candles, stuffed toys, and presents for Ziggy.
Billy Slater’s beautiful wife, Nicole, painted a portrait of Ziggy, which now hangs proudly in my living room.
I wish I could reply to all the cards and messages, but it’s impossible – it would take all year and I’d never get my book finished!
It’s times like these you realise who your true friends are. I have so many people to thank, including my great mate and maintenance man Joe, who literally saved my life on that fateful day.
Joe rushed to my aid while my PA, Yael Cohn, called the ambulance.
Words cannot express how grateful I am to Yael. She was at my bedside every day, dealing with the media and updating my friends.
Looking after me is not easy at the best of times (though I was probably easier to deal with when I was in a coma).
To have Yael by my side during some dark days meant so much. She is the special woman in my life. I couldn’t have got through it without her.
“Rock” has been a big part of my life, but my brother Brian has been a rock in another way.
A good mate recently said, “Brian is just like you, but without all the drama.”
That’s true. I couldn’t have had a better bloke beside me during the tough times. Big thanks to Brian, his wife, Gillian, and my nieces.
My son Morgan flew home from China to be with me in hospital – and I think he enjoyed the fact that I couldn’t yell at him or tell him what to do.
The support I’ve had from Channel Seven, Foxtel and MTV has been incredible.
My heartfelt thanks to David Leckie, Lewis Martin, Tim Worner, Graeme Hill and Ian Johnson at Seven; Brian Walsh at Foxtel, and Rebecca Batties at MTV. Hopefully I’ll be back at work soon.
So many dear friends have continued to stand by me, including my manager, Mark Klemens; Michael and Sue Gudinski, Dannii Minogue, Gerry and Val Ryan, Michael Chugg and Mam, Peter and Anna Blunden, John and Renee Ribot, Jeanne, Heloise and the Pratt family; and Lindsay, Paula, Katrina and the Fox family.
Their support means so much.
And what can I say about the incredible doctors and nurses at the Alfred and the Epworth?
I must make special mention of my neurosurgeon Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld at the Alfred, and Professor John Olver, the medical director at Epworth Rehabilitation.
Simply, they put me back together. I will be forever grateful.
I take my hat off to the nurses. Whatever they’re paid, it’s not enough.
I’m thinking I could star in a stage production of The Wiz – Ziggy could play Toto, and I could be the Tin Man. I’m not sure who will play Dorothy.
It’s great to be home. Thanks to all of my friends who have visited and cared for me. Special thanks to Damian Melder and his crew.
There’s no place like home. But my good friends at the Egyptian Consulate in Melbourne have invited me to return to Egypt, and I can’t wait to get back there.
And hopefully I’ll soon be back in Phuket with my partner, Yan, catching up with our friend Angelica and her daughters, Sabrina and Georgia.
Finally, a big hello to all the patients in rehab at the Epworth. When you’re in hospital, you realise just how easily accidents can happen and how it can be a long road to recovery.
You can’t do it alone – you need the support of family and friends and wonderful medical people. My thoughts are with everyone who’s in hospital.
Every year I’m blown away by the generosity of Victorians when they support the Good Friday Appeal.
This year I realised just how important our hospitals and medical people are – you never know when you might need them.
Please take care. Stay off the roof. And Go Saints and Storm! It’s great to be able to see another footy season.
Love, Molly xo
