Sunrise star Dr Keith Suter died in hospital this week, aged 77, with Samantha Armytage joining Natalie Barr and Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington in paying tribute.

The Foreign Affairs Editor, who held three doctorates and chaired numerous international bodies, ‘passed away peacefully in hospital’.

The news was announced by Nat, 57, and Shirvo, 47, on Sunrise early Friday morning.

‘Before we head to the news, we just wanted to pay a quick tribute to a close friend and member of this Sunrise, Dr Keith Suter, who passed away peacefully in hospital this week,’ they said.

‘Keith has been part of the Sunrise and Seven family for so many years, the most brilliant mind, a calm and trusted voice on some of the most complex stories, and a joy to work with behind the scenes as well.

‘He helped explain wars, elections and global crisis upon crisis, but he always did it with measure so people felt safe, and this morning our thoughts are with his beautiful family.’

Sunrise star Dr Keith Suter died in hospital this week. He was 77

Samantha, 49, who once co-hosted Sunrise from 2013 to 2021 alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch, shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram following the announcement.

‘Very sad to hear of the passing of Dr Keith Suter overnight. He was a wonderful man,’ she wrote, sharing a photo of the Australian consultant on the breakfast show.

‘He guided us through many of the biggest world issues of our time — with grace and humour. You could talk to him all day, and often during breaking news, we did. RIP Dr Keith.’

Nat and Shirvo said viewers had already begun sending condolences, with one noting that Suter ‘made complicated world politics comprehensible and will be sorely missed’

‘World affairs is complicated, and I think a lot of people, you kind of almost feel like you pretend you know what it is about, but we got to ask him really basic questions and boy did he explain it to all of us,’ Nat said.

‘He spoke to the people, didn’t he? And he was a beautiful man with such a lovely manner. And I tell you what, he always dressed so, so well as well,’ Shirvo added.

‘I know. We are really going to miss him… Our sincere condolences to his family, he will be sorely missed,’ finished Nat.

Suter was best known for his long-standing work with Seven, where he informed Australian viewers about global affairs and demystified complex geopolitical issues.

The Foreign Affairs Editor, who held three doctorates and chaired numerous international bodies, ‘passed away peacefully in hospital’

Samantha, 49, who once co-hosted Sunrise from 2013 to 2021 alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch, shared a heartbreaking tribute to her Instagram following the announcement

He also worked as a futurist and strategic planning consultant, holding three doctorates from Sydney.

Suter studied international law of guerrilla warfare, the social and economic consequences of the arms race, and scenario planning.

In 1986, he was awarded the Australian Government’s Peace Medal and was later honoured as Rostrum’s Communicator of the Year in 1995.

He was also appointed a Member of the Order of Australia during the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours for ‘significant service to international relations, and to the Uniting Church in Australia’.

Suter chaired several organisations, including the International Humanitarian Law Committee of the Australian Red Cross and the International Commission of Jurists (NSW).

He also served as the director of studies at the International Law Association (Australian Branch) and managing director of the Global Directions think tank.

The industry veteran frequently appeared on radio and television to discuss politics and international affairs, serving as Foreign Affairs Editor for Channel Seven for many years.

The industry veteran frequently appeared on radio and television to discuss politics and international affairs, serving as Foreign Affairs Editor for Channel Seven for many years