Herta Fossett, matriarch of famous Fossett's Circus, dies aged 92

Fossett's Circus matriarch Herta Fossett has died aged 92, her family has announced. Picture: Maxpics Dublin

Herta Fossett, matriarch of the famous Fossett's Circus, has died at the age of 92, her family has announced.

In a statement, the family said Ms Fossett died suddenly on Sunday while on tour with the circus in Newbridge.

The family said she and her late husband Teddy, who died in 1998, devoted their lives to the circus.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Herta Phorsky was a trapeze artist who, at the age of just 14, fled the country with her parents and siblings and joined the national circus of Switzerland, before later packing her bag for Ireland in 1952.

She toured with Fossetts as part of the Top of the Bill Three Lordini Perch Act "and fell in love with Teddy at first sight and stayed".

In 1953, Hertha and Teddy got married and she made the circus her life from the age of 21.

"We will all miss our mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother," her family said.

"It is a huge loss to everyone in Fossett's Circus and her many friends all over the country. Herta will always be loved and never forgotten."

An early picture of Herta Fossett of Fossett's Circus. Picture: Fergal Phillips

In an interview with the Irish Examiner in 2016, Ms Fossett — then 85 — described herself as semi-retired but would not be giving up the circus life anytime soon.

“People often say to me, ‘You’re crazy to be travelling at your age’,” she said. “I couldn’t settle down — I’d go mental.

“I’d be sitting here today going, ‘Where are they today?’ I’d rather be here and know what’s going on.

“I’m here, as they say, [as] the mother,” she added. “If anything goes wrong, I’m there.

“Even now, if it’s needed, I can be ready in two seconds and jump in.

“Not physically anymore, but in other ways — I still drive a car and trailer on the road.” 

Herta Fossett with two of her showgirls at Fossett's Circus in 2015. Picture: Fergal Phillips

In 2015 Ms Fossett received a lifetime achievement award from the Circus Friends Association at a glittering ceremony in her native Lucan.

“It’s like an Oscar in the film industry,” Herta explained. “I think I’m only the second Irish person that got it which is a big thing because it goes all over the world.” 

Ms Fossett's family say that funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.