Greek TV icon George Papadakis honored by son’s heartfelt Instagram tribute

Veteran Greek journalist and broadcaster George Papadakis died on 4 January 2026 at age 74 after a sudden cardiac arrest. He was rushed to Athens’s Laiko Hospital, where doctors were unable to revive him. Papadakis was a leading figure of private TV, best known for anchoring the morning show “Kalimera Ellada” on ANT1 for more than three decades until his retirement in July 2025.

Six months after his death, his son Foivos Papadakis posted a family photograph from 1999 on Instagram. The image shows a young George holding his children, and the caption reads: “1999… Να αγκαλιάζετε τους πατεράδες σας, κάποια στιγμή αυτή η αγκαλιά θα είναι ανάμνηση…”, urging people to hug their fathers while they can. The post attracted many condolences and highlighted the personal side of the well‑known presenter.

Foivos has previously thanked the Panathinaikos club for a tribute aired during a match and shared other commemorative messages on Father's Day, continuing to keep his father’s memory alive in the public sphere.