Paul O’Grady Honoured as PETA’s Posthumous Person of the Year
The late TV and radio star Paul O’Grady has been named PETA’s Person of the Year, a heartfelt tribute to his lifelong animal welfare crusade. The beloved presenter, who died in March aged 67, made animal rights his life’s mission.
A Tireless Champion for Animal Rights
O’Grady joined PETA in the 1990s and fought fiercely against animal testing. He also championed campaigns to ban fur and foie gras, and exposed cruelty in marine parks with orca treatment. His passionate activism left a lasting mark on animal welfare.
“Paul O’Grady once said that ‘it is our duty to treat animals with respect,’ and he lived by his own principles every day by being a tireless animal advocate,” said Elisa Allen, PETA’s Vice President of Programmes.
Legacy of Compassion Lives On
O’Grady’s widower, Andre Portasio, will accept the award on his behalf, honouring his late husband’s impactful work. Later in life, Paul won acclaim presenting For The Love Of Dogs, an award-winning documentary series about Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, which earned him a posthumous National Television Award in 2023.
For 11 years, O’Grady served as an ambassador for Battersea, which recently dedicated its veterinary hospital in his name and awarded him its Animal Hero Award. PETA hailed his “lifelong determination to make the world a kinder place for animals” and vowed to treasure his compassionate legacy.
Joining the Ranks of Animal Advocacy Legends
The prestigious PETA Person of the Year award has previously honoured big names like Joaquin Phoenix, Pamela Anderson, F1 legend Sir Lewis Hamilton, Pope Francis, Oprah Winfrey, and Sir Roger Moore. Now, Paul O’Grady takes his rightful place among these icons, remembered for his fierce devotion to protecting voiceless creatures across the globe.
