Former NSW premier and foreign minister Bob Carr has spoken for the first time of his beloved wife’s last moments after being struck an aneurysm while the couple were visiting Vienna.

Helena Carr, 77, his wife of 50 years, died in his arms on Thursday night after the couple shared a night of opera and laughter.

“Her little heart continues to beat but her brain has haemorrhaged with a massive amount of blood,” Carr said in a statement.

“She was the light of my life, the little friend always there.

“No one ever smiled more, or with more spirit.

“On Thursday we walked in autumn weather through Vienna, had lunch with two Australian friends, walked some more and went to the opera,” he said.

‘Full of zest and jokes’

“She was full of zest and jokes as we walked back to our hotel.

“Within 20 minutes she referred to strange back pain, then a headache and nausea.

“Our 50-year partnership ended in the hotel bathroom when she sunk into my arms and I broke her fall to the floor.

“Her eyes closed for the last time while I begged her not to leave me.”

As the longest-serving premier in NSW history, Carr led the NSW Labor Party to three consecutive electoral victories and prepared the state for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

He said it would have been “inconceivable” to have won office and held the premiership for more than a decade “without the steadiness of her companionship, her sense of fun and her lambent eyes”.

Helena was born in Malaysia and came to Australia to study economics at the University of Sydney.

The pair met in Tahiti in early 1971, when Carr was on a stopover on a trip back from the United States.

The former premier described his wife as an accomplished businesswoman who became an expert in security printing.

“The light has gone out of my life,” he said.

“I know many have faced this challenge, the loss of a life partner, the journey no one wishes.

“One reason to (keep) trying is my sense she is there telling me to go on — for her.”

Helena was by Bob Carr’s side when he announced his resignation from politics. Photo: AAP

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Helena Carr on Saturday night in a post on social media platform X.

“Sad news of the passing of Helena Carr whilst travelling overseas with her beloved life partner Bob – an extraordinary life as a much loved and compassionate person and successful businesswoman who was respected by all who were privileged to know her,” he said.

“Vale Helena Carr.”

Tweet from @AlboMP

NSW Premier Chris Minns said the Labor Party was devastated by the news.

“Bob and Helena were a wonderful partnership with Helena offering unconditional support to Bob and Labor during his years in the premiership,” Minns said in a statement on Saturday.

“We feel for Bob and are concerned for him.

“The entire Labor family will be waiting for him to offer our friendship and support upon his return to Australia.”

-with AAP