Sale of the Century ‘quiz king’ dies peacefully in Melbourne following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease
The quiz king who became famous across Australia in the late ’80s for winning Channel Nine’s Sale of the Century a record 60 consecutive times has died.
Cary Young, 83, passed away peacefully in Melbourne with his family by his side after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
His family paid moving tribute to the quiz legend on Thursday, whose easygoing nature and laid-back persona saw him become popular with audiences.
Cary Young (pictured), the quiz king who became famous across Australia in the late ’80s for winning Channel Nine’s Sale of the Century a record 60 times, has died
‘People just had this affection for him because he was just this very average person. He wasn’t an academic or professional,’ his daughter Michelle told The Herald Sun.
‘He was working in an abattoir when he went on the show – he saw an opportunity to make a better life for his family,’ she added.
Michelle told the publication her dad picked up his incredible general knowledge as a kid when he was bedridden with asthma and had nothing to do except read.
Cary Young, 83, passed away peacefully in Melbourne with his family by his side after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease
Cary’s success on the show won the hearts of audiences and host Tony Barber, who awarded the mastermind the grand prize of a $35,000 fiery red Holden Piazza.
The Chase’s Brydon Coverdale, AKA The Shark, led the celebrity tributes to the iconic quizmaster.
‘Cary became a really recognisable face on Australian television throughout that era, despite the fact he was just a normal everyday person,’ he said.
His family paid moving tribute to the quiz legend on Thursday, whose easygoing nature and laid-back persona saw him become popular with audiences
‘He would go through encyclopedias and sources and write a whole list of names and memorise them,’ he added.
Young’s success on the show opened doors for him and between 2000 to 2006 he wrote a daily quiz for The Herald Sun.
The New Zealand-born intellect is survived by his wife Lyn and their children Peter and Michelle.
Cary’s success on the show won the hearts of audiences and host Tony Barber, who awarded the mastermind the grand prize of a $35,000 fiery red Holden Piazza
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