Mark Pilgrim died on Sunday morning, his family confirmed in a statement.
Mark Pilgrim dies: What’s the cause of death?
The revered radio jock sighed his last breath at home, with his fiancee Adrienne by his side, at approximately 10:45 on Sunday, 5 March 2023.
While an official statement has yet to be released by the family, it’s believed Mark Pilgrim died as a result of his battle with stage 4 lung cancer.
Hot 102.7 FM, the radio station that broke the news, revealed that while Pilgrim’s family was devastated by his death, they were thankful for the support from his fans.
“The family thank you for being part of his journey. For loving him and for celebrating him and supporting him always,” the statement read.
Pilgrim’s family is expected to announce details on the funeral and memorial service soon.
Mark Pilgrim biography
Mark Pilgrim was a seasoned radio South African radio host, born on 20 September 1969, according to his Wikipedia page.
His first stint in the mainstream came in 1995 when he picked up a presenting gig at 5FM, following years of grind as a resident jock at Wits University’s campus radio station.
Pilgrim built a cult following with his high-octane breakfast shows and quickly became one of South Africa’s most prominent voices on the airwaves.
Pilgrim left 5FM in 2003 and joined 94.7 Highveld Stereo, where he stayed for four years until his move to KFM in 2007. Between then and 2014, the bald-headed jock juggled primetime chart shows on KFM and Highveld.
By then, he had also amassed a serious on-screen portfolio, which included:
- hosting the first three seasons of Big Brother Mzansi;
- appearing on Retail Therapy (M-Net) between 2002 and 2005; and, among others
- hosting M-Net’s Power of 10 game show.
Pilgrim retired from radio in 2014, but this was shortlived, as he quickly returned behind the mic as a lead presenter on Hot 91.9FM‘s Saturday breakfast show at first, and later occupying the morning weekday peak slots.
With accolades including the 2015 MTN Radio Award for Best Weekend Radio Show as well as bagging the 2019 Liberty Radio Award for the Best Daytime Show in South Africa, Pilgrim was hailed as one of the best media personalities in the country.
Sure enough, in 2021, the revered jock’s decorated career was immortalised when he was inducted into the South African Awards Hall of Fame for his stellar contributions to the industry.
In early 2022, however, tragedy would befall Pilgrim, after he learned he was living with stage 4 lung cancer.
This realisation spawned a journey where he fiercely fought for his health while documenting as much as he could about his struggles.
His final update, which he posted on Twitter on Friday, 2 February 2023, left fans deeply concerned. Appearing pale and lethargic, Pilgrim shared that much of his time, since his last post, was spent sleeping, and recovering from intensive chemotherapy.
“Body is depleted. After chemo and immuno last Thursday it’s just been pouring out both ends. I’m like a shriveled pea,” he shared at the time.
Following a year-long battle with the disease, Mark Pilgrim died in his home with his fiancee, Adrienne, by his side.
The couple shared two daughters.
Reactions to Pilgrim’s death
For many fans of the iconic radio jock and, perhaps, his family and close friends, Pilgrim’s passing was not only inevitable, but a much-needed reprieve from the constant pain he endured fighting to stay alive.
Here are some of the reactions and tributes we picked out from fans and peers of the legendary media personality.