Jessica Watson has announced the sudden death of her longtime partner, Cameron Dale, in an emotional Instagram post.
Watson sailed into the hearts of Australians after her solo circumnavigation of the world at the age of 16 in 2010.
The 28-year-old has now shared that her partner, who she started dating in 2011, had died after suffering a “catastrophic stroke” six weeks ago.
“On Monday, 30 August 2021 we lost our Cam – my long-term partner in every aspect of life and planned future,” she wrote.
“Cam passed away peacefully nearly six weeks after a catastrophic stroke. We’ll be forever grateful for the dedicated care he received at the Gold Coast University Hospital.
“Cam and I have been inseparable since 2011, our shared world centred on messing about on boats. Describing what Cam means to me is impossible – everyone who knows us understands how much we simply loved each other.”
“Even while experiencing indescribable grief, I feel so grateful for the family, friends, and communities Cam has given me and the person I’ve become with him,” she wrote.
“I take enormous strength from having been so devotedly loved. The years of treasured memories offer enormous comfort.”
“Being Cam’s ‘Jess’ is the role I’m most proud of. Cameron Dale 21.12.1991 – 30.08.2021’.
Watson and Dale first started dating in 2011 after striking up a friendship based on their mutual sailing interests.
“It’s a nice thing for us to share and to have in common,” she told Mamamia of sailing with Dale in November 2019.
In July last year, it was announced that Watson had landed her own Netflix biopic, based on her best-selling memoir, True Spirit.
The film, produced by Sunstar Entertainment, is currently in production on the Gold Coast.
“It’s quite humbling to have Netflix bring my story to life. I hope that the film inspires people around the world to try sailing and to also pursue their own adventures,” she said at the time.
Watson hasn’t been one to rest on her laurels though.
She co-founded Deckee, a community boating app that gives sailors updates on weather conditions, hazards, fishing hot spots and more, completed her MBA course and now works as a management consultant for Deloitte.
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She has also written two books, True Spirit: The Aussie Girl who Took on the World in 2010, and Indigo Blue in 2018.
Watson had all Australians cheering her on when she departed Sydney on October 18, 2009 and returned seven months later on May 15, 2010, just three days before her 17th birthday.
Following her voyage, she was named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year, before being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012.
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