Australian singer and actress Maria Venuti has reportedly been taken to Royal North Shore Hospital after suffering a stroke.
Police turned up at the 75-year-old's Gladesville home in Sydney's inner west at 9am on Saturday after the cabaret performer found a stranger on her property.
More Entertainment Videos
- Video duration
- 00:25
Maria Venuti hospitalised after stroke
- Video duration
- 02:20
Entertainment news highlights
- Video duration
- 00:00
Doctor Strange gets a jolt at box office
- Video duration
- 01:46
Hillary boosts campaign with superstar support
- Video duration
- 00:55
Justin Bieber's $650,000 NYE ticket
- Video duration
- 00:46
Tostee talks: 'cruel bastard'
- Video duration
- 00:30
Big Bang scene banned from UK
- Video duration
- 00:00
Baldwin as Trump: 'I feel gross all the time'
Maria Venuti hospitalised after stroke
75 year-old Australian singer and actress Maria Venuti reportedly suffered a stroke after she found a stranger on her property on Saturday morning. Vision courtesy Channel 7.
The 38-year-old man was arrested and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for a mental health assessment.
At the same time, Ms Venuti was rushed to the same hospital after reportedly suffering a stroke. She remains in intensive care.
Susie Smither, president of the Australian Ladies' Variety Association, posted on the ALVA Facebook page with the news.
"The doctors need 24 hours to ascertain what has happened and to come to decisions on what needs to be done," Ms Smither wrote.
Ms Venuti has worked in the entertainment industry for 50 years, having appeared on stage, television and cinema. She starred in the film Fat Pizza Vs. Housos, which was produced, directed and written by Logie Award winner Paul Fenech.
She is known for her charity work, with involvement in Australia's Biggest Blood Pressure Check in 2014 and raising awareness of stroke with the Stroke Foundation.
Ms Smither said Bianca, Maria Venuti's daughter, was at the hospital with her mother.
"It's come as a shock, very surprising, God love her," Ms Smither said.
"We're hoping for a good result and that it's not too bad," she said. "We just need prayers."
At home with Maria Venuti
In 2013, Fairfax Media's Shelly Horton stepped into the gold and red, leopard print glamour of entertainer Maria Venuti's home.
MARIA VENUTI Hi Everyone, Just walked on the door half an hour ago to receive the call re Maria. This morning...
Posted by ALVA - Women In Entertainment page on Saturday, 5 November 2016
With AAP