Mary Grech, another doyen of Maltese broadcasting passes away

Apr 24, 2026

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The death has been announced of Mary Grech, one of the pioneers of broadcasting in Malta and among the first faces to appear on Malta Television when transmissions began in 1962. She was 88 years old.

Born on May 2, 1937, Mary Grech, née Vassallo, began her artistic career at a very young age. At just 14, she joined the Liliputtjani children’s company. She later continued in theatre, where she met actor Victor Grech, who would later become her husband.

In the early 1960s, Grech entered the world of television after being selected from around 2,000 applicants. She became one of the first announcers on Malta Television, alongside Charles Abela Mizzi.

Over the years, Grech played a central role in broadcasting, working as a continuity announcer, reading the news and presenting reports from Parliament. Her regular television presence, together with her distinctive voice, quickly made her a familiar figure in Maltese households.

Her career was not limited to television. She also worked in radio and became well known through radio dramas alongside artists such as Charles Clews and Victor Galdes. She also gained international experience, including appearances on Italy’s Radio Corriere and presenting a children’s festival in Sicily.

As an actress, Grech appeared in several theatre productions and television dramas, including Ipokriti, where she played the character Iva, as well as Santa Monika and One Star Hotel. Her versatility as a performer was widely recognised, with many viewers strongly associating her with the characters she portrayed.

Throughout her career, Grech also hosted numerous programmes and events, and was admired for her close relationship with audiences, always remaining humble and grounded. She often described her 17 years on television as a “golden era”.

In her personal life, Mary married Victor Grech on December 31, 1961, and the couple remained together for more than sixty years until his death in 2024.

They had two children, Josef and Christianne, and were grandparents to three grandchildren. Following her retirement, she continued to enjoy family life and remained closely interested in the broadcasting industry she loved so much.

Mary Grech will be remembered as a true pioneer — a woman who was there from the very beginning and who made an essential contribution to Maltese broadcasting. Her legacy lives on not only in the memories of those who watched her, but also in the history of broadcasting in Malta.

Farewell Mary….