Fiona Coote

Fiona Coote became Australia's most famous heart transplant recipient when she underwent surgery on 8 April, 1984. At the time, Coote was the youngest recipient in Australia, and the first female. Some sources state that Ms Coote was the second heart transplant recipient in Autralia, while others state that Coote was actually the fourth. The procedure was performed by notable Chinese-Australian cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Victor Chang and was successfully carried out when Coote was 14 years of age. The urgent transplant was due to complications of viral-induced tonsilitis, that significantly weakened her heart.

Coote underwent her first surgery in St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. When she began rejecting that heart, she was forced to endure a second heart transplant, which took place in 1986. She has enjoyed good health since.

Growing up on family farm, Galen, 8 kilometers from Manilla, in northern New South Wales. Coote attended a private Catholic school near Tamworth.

As a result of her fame, Coote was approached to appear in the Australian soap, Neighbours. Despite beginning rehearsals, Coote ultimately decided acting was not for her. Chanel Ten publicly blamed the back down on illness but Coote later attributed it to the associated pressure to participate in interviews and publicity for the show.

Coote later went on to work in promotions for Willow Valley, a cereal manufacturer. She also worked for the charitable organizations the Victor Chang Foundation and the Starlight Foundation.

In her twenties, Coote made the decision to not have any children but she did later go on to marry.

2001 saw release of a rose named in honour of Ms Coote. Called 'Fiona's Wish', it is a a hybrid tea (bush rose) and the bi-coloured blooms are cherry red, edged with gold reverse.