Robin Leach, who revealed the lavish lifestyles of the filthy rich on his TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, has died at age 76.
The news was confirmed by Leach’s longtime friend John Katsilometes.
“Despite the past 10 months, what a beautiful life he had. Our Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle and friend Robin Leach passed away peacefully last night,” Katsilometes said in a statement on Friday.
Leach was hospitalized after suffering a stroke while on vacation in San Lucas, Mexico last year.
The British born journalist was a writer for London’s Daily Mail newspaper after starting his own magazine at age 17.
He later contributed to AM Los Angeles, with Regis Philbin & Sarah Purcell, People Tonight, and Entertainment Tonight.
But Leach became a household name as the unapologetic host of ‘Lifestyles’ which ran from 1984 to 1995. He was known for his catchphrase: “Champagne wishes and caviar dreams”.
The program showcased the homes and toys of obscenely wealthy celebrities, corporate millionaires, pro athletes, and trust fund kids in the days before social media and reality TV reshaped pop culture.
It was later revealed that many of the mansions and fancy cars displayed on ‘Lifestyles’ were leased for the show’s taping.
Photo by Mike Stotts/ WENN
