Sunrise host Natalie Barr breaks down in tears live on The Morning Show over her father's death

Natalie Barr broke down on The Morning Show on Wednesday as she spoke about losing her late father Jim to heart disease 20 years ago. 

The 53-year-old Sunrise host went on the Channel Seven morning program to help raise awareness for The Heart Foundation. 

As throwback images flashed on screen of Natalie and her late father, she became overwhelmed with emotion and broke down in tears. 

Emotional: Sunrise host Natalie Barr broke down in tears live on The Morning Show on Wednesday as she recalled her late father Jim’s battle with heart disease

‘I thought I could do this, I’m sorry,’ Natalie said, as she struggled to speak.

‘Oh Nat, it’s seeing the photos isn’t it?’ host Kylie Gillies asked. 

Natalie carried on, saying that heart disease ‘destroys families’.

Memories: As throwback images flashed on screen of Natalie and her late father, she became overwhelmed with emotion and broke down into tears (pictured together)

‘Fifty people are dying per day of heart disease… our family went through this 20 years ago and like many, many, many Australian families, it destroys your family and you never forget it and never really get over it,’ she said. 

‘That’s why I’m supporting this cause.’

She went on to say that there are some preventative measures people can take to combat heart disease. 

‘We can do stuff about preventing heart disease, we can try and eat as healthy as we can, try and exercise and get our blood pressure checked,’ she explained. 

Awareness: Natalie went on the Channel Seven morning program to help raise awareness for The Heart Foundation

Natalie lost her father Jim 20 years ago when he was 61 years old to left ventricular failure [heart failure].

Back in 2019, Natalie spoke about her father’s death to The Daily Telegraph and described it as the ‘worst day’ of her life. 

At the time, she was six months pregnant with her eldest son Lachlan, now 17. 

‘I was at home after reading the late news when I got a call that my dad died. It was the worst day of my life,’ she said.

‘My father Jim had died of left ventricular failure, according to the report. You never forget those things. He’s been gone 18 years and I still get upset.

‘He came with me to the ultrasound of my first son, Lachlan, and had never been to one before. He took the photo with him and showed his mates at the golf club, telling them ”that’s my grandson” — he was so damn excited.’   

Jim complained about heartburn after playing golf with friends and tragically died just hours later.

Natalie said her ‘one regret’ was not being able to convince him to quit smoking.

For further information, please visit The Heart Foundation website. 

So sad: Back in 2019, Natalie spoke about her father’s death and described it as the ‘worst day’ of her life. At the time, she was six months pregnant with her eldest son Lachlan, now 17