NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Prince of Tides’ author Pat Conroy dies at 70

CHARLESTON, S.C.

Author Pat Conroy, whose beloved works “The Great Santini” and “The Prince of Tides” are set against the vistas of the South Carolina coast that was his home, was lauded Saturday as a great chronicler of the human condition and a humble and loving soul.

Conroy, 70, died Friday at his home in Beaufort, about an hour south of Charleston, surrounded by family and friends at the time, according to his publisher.

The author died less than a month after announcing on Facebook that he was battling cancer. He promised to “fight it hard” and told his fans, “I owe you a novel and I intend to deliver it.”

A funeral Mass will take place Tuesday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Beaufort with a private burial afterward.

Barbra Streisand, who starred in and directed the movie version of Conroy’s “The Prince of Tides” posted a picture of herself with Conroy on Instagram on Saturday. The 1991 movie starring Streisand and Nick Nolte earned seven Oscar nominations, including best picture.

“He was generous and kind, humble and loving – such a joy to work with. I was so honored that he entrusted his beautiful book to me,” she said in a statement from her publicist.

Conroy, who sold 20 million books worldwide, candidly and expansively shared details of growing up as a military brat and his anguished relationship with his abusive father, Marine aviator and military hero Donald Conroy. He also wrote of his time in military school, The Citadel in Charleston, and his struggles with his health and depression.

Rupert Murdoch, Jerry Hall get married

london

Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall celebrated their marriage Saturday alongside family members, media executives and music stars in a church considered the spiritual home of British journalism.

The media-mogul groom and model-actress bride emerged from St. Bride’s church in Fleet Street after the service beaming in the London drizzle. Murdoch wore a dark blue suit, Hall an ice-blue silk Vivienne Westwood dress accompanied by silver shoes and a small bouquet of cream flowers.

Among some 100 guests at the service were actor Michael Caine, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, artist Tracey Emin, playwright Tom Stoppard, Live Aid founder Bob Geldof and former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, as well as newspaper editors and executives.

Also attending were the couple’s 10 children. Murdoch, 84, has six children from three previous marriages, while 59-year-old Hall has four with her ex-partner Mick Jagger.

Associated Press