Passing Of Sir Michael Hill

It is with great sadness that Michael Hill announces the passing of our Founder and Non-Executive Director, Sir Michael Hill this morning.

The Board, Executive and all the Michael Hill team express their deepest and sincerest condolences to Michael’s family and friends.

Sir Michael was a celebrated jeweller, entrepreneur, philanthropist and committed father and husband who, with his wife Lady Christine, founded and grew Michael Hill from its humble beginnings in Whangārei, New Zealand to a global retail jewellery brand that spans Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Sir Michael’s first love was music and, as a young man, he dreamed of becoming a concert violinist. However, at just 17, he was told he had started too late to reach the pinnacle of his craft. Forced to reconsider his future, he pivoted into the world of jewellery, joining his uncle’s family-owned store in New Zealand.

What began as a job soon became a passion. Sir Michael had a natural gift for storytelling, a keen eye for visual merchandising, an instinct for attracting customers and a gift for selling. He won international awards for his window displays and revolutionised the store’s advertising with bold, unconventional campaigns.

“To every endeavour he pursued, Michael brought a deep sense of purpose, an enduring curiosity, open-mindedness and creativity that challenged all of us to embrace ever more lofty goals and be unconstrained in our thinking – a legacy that will continue to inspire us,” says Rob Fyfe, Chairman of Michael Hill.

“Michael Hill, Jeweller” was much more than a Jeweller, founding the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, one of the most respected violin contests in the world, creating The Hills, one of New Zealand’s most iconic golf courses and inspiring generations of New Zealanders through his books.

In the spring of 1964, Sir Michael met his wife Lady Christine, connecting over their shared appreciation for creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling—foundational values that define the Michael Hill brand to this day. Sir Michael and Lady Christine married in 1965 forging a love affair and business partnership that lasted more than 60 years. A private memorial to celebrate the life of Sir Michael will be held in Arrowtown.

About Michael Hill

Michael Hill was founded by Sir Michael Hill in 1979 when he opened his first jewellery store in Whangarei, New Zealand. The Group currently has 287 stores globally across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The Group’s global headquarters, including its wholesale and manufacturing divisions, are located in Brisbane, Australia. The Company is listed on the ASX (ASX: MHJ) and the NZX (NZX:MHJ).

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