Ben Fogle has expressed heartfelt condolences following the death of David Glasheen, the former millionaire and castaway featured in Channel 5’s documentary series New Lives in the Wild. Glasheen, who passed away at the age of 81, was widely admired for embracing a minimalist lifestyle on Restoration Island off the coast of North East Australia.
Once a successful stockbroker, David lost his fortune during the devastating Black Monday crash of 1987, when the stock market plunged 22% in just two days. In the wake of this loss, he chose to leave behind his previous life and moved to the remote Restoration Island in 1997 to seek peace and solitude.
Living in near-complete isolation, Glasheen’s only companion for many years was his dog, Quassi, a dingo cross, until the animal died from a snake bite in 2018. Despite the lack of modern comforts such as electricity, fresh water, or internet access, David found profound happiness living in harmony with nature.
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Ben Fogle, who first met David while filming New Lives in the Wild, shared his reflections on Instagram. He remembered David as “one of a kind” and expressed gratitude for the time they spent together in the Australian wilderness. Fogle highlighted that David’s story was a powerful reminder of life’s preciousness and the value of finding joy beyond material wealth.
“He lost his multi-million-pound fortune overnight and moved to a remote island on a whim, discovering tranquility and true happiness away from the pressures of modern life,” Fogle wrote. “Dave lived the richest life I know, proving that reconnecting with nature can bring genuine joy.”
David had often voiced his wish to spend his final days on the island he called heaven on earth. In 2017, he shared candidly that he was tired of money and the loneliness that came with his new lifestyle, yet he treasured the deep peace and freedom the island offered.
Ben’s tribute concludes with a poignant call to cherish life’s fleeting moments and honors David’s legacy of courage and contentment.