Political heavyweight's socialite wife Penne Peacock dies aged 83: 'A role model and inspiration for many'

Political heavyweight's socialite wife Penne Peacock dies aged 83: 'A role model and inspiration for many' Penne Percy Korth Peacock died in the US aged 83 See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source By KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 03:37 BST, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 03:41 BST, 20 July 2026 The American diplomat and socialite wife of former Liberal leader Andrew Peacock has died aged 83.

Penne Percy Korth Peacock died in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 30, five years after the death of her husband of almost two decades.

An obituary in the Washington Post described Korth Peacock as a devoted mother, cherished friend, accomplished diplomat, and champion of American values, public diplomacy, and the arts.

A death notice was also published in the Weekend Australian business section.

Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Korth Peacock moved with her family to Waco, Texas, where the beauty queen took a year off from college to travel the world as a goodwill ambassador for the American cotton industry.

Politics proved to be one of her biggest passions, with Korth Peacock helping to open an early office for George H.W.

Bush's Senate campaign in Austin.

It was the start of a lifelong friendship with the famous political family, and in 1989 she served as co-chair of Bush Sr's presidential inauguration - the first woman in that role in the administration.

Later that year, President Bush appointed Korth Peacock as the US Ambassador to Mauritius, which she served for the next three years.

Penne Percy Korth Peacock, the third wife of Andrew Peacock, has died in the US aged 83.

Picture are the couple at the 2005 Melbourne Cup Korth Peacock has been described as a devoted mother, cherished friend, accomplished diplomat, and champion of American values, public diplomacy, and the arts.

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