Gogglebox Star Emmie Silbery Passes Away at 96 After Dementia Battle

Beloved Gogglebox Australia star Emmie Silbery has passed away at the age of 96 after a long battle with dementia. The sad news was shared by her granddaughter Isabelle Silbery on Instagram.

Emmie died peacefully after waiting for her granddaughter to return home. Isabelle shared Emmie’s touching final words: “I’m ready to hang up now.”

Emmie was more than just a TV star. She lived a full life — working as a nurse, raising a family, becoming an author, and even becoming the oldest woman on Australian television.

Isabelle posted a heartfelt message online: “She was 96 – an orphan, a nurse, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, the oldest woman on TV, a great-grandmother, an author and so much more. Thank you for loving her as much as we did and will forever. Have a big rest now – you deserve it.”

Fans and fellow Gogglebox stars flooded social media with tributes.

Lainey Grech commented, “She was so beyond loved.”
Holly Dalton said, “Sending all my love. Rest in peace our beloved Emmie.”

Gogglebox duo Keith and Lee shared: “Emmie became our adopted grandmother. You told us so many stories — we’ll treasure them forever.”

Fellow cast member Matty Fahd called it an “honour to have met her.”
Angie Kent added, “Thank you for the countless laughs, tears, and memories! Rest now. Your girls are so loved.”

Emmie appeared on Gogglebox for 14 seasons before stepping away in 2022 due to her dementia diagnosis. In 2023, her family confirmed she would not return to the show. Her iconic red chair was left empty on the show in her honour.

At the time, Isabelle and her mother Kerry spoke openly about Emmie’s condition on The Project. They revealed how difficult it was to tell Emmie she would no longer appear on the show.

“She said, ‘Why not?’ We said, ‘You’ve got dementia.’ She replied, ‘I’m perfectly alright. I’m not ga-ga,’” Kerry shared.

Emmie was later moved to an aged care home close to both Kerry and Isabelle.

Isabelle also shared her emotional struggle, saying: “Sometimes I wish she would just go because she’s not the same. It’s just really hard watching someone slowly disappear.”

Dementia is a progressive brain disease that affects memory, behaviour, and thinking. There is no cure, but early care can slow the progress.

Emmie’s journey touched the hearts of many viewers. The Silbery family was a fan favourite on Gogglebox Australia from 2016 to 2024.

The show, which ran for 19 seasons, was cancelled in 2024. It had won multiple Logie Awards and became one of Australia’s most loved reality shows.

Emmie’s legacy will live on through the memories she created, both on and off the screen.