Chris Barnard and Fame
The news of the first heart transplant’s success spread around the world like wildfire. Within days, journalists and photographers from across the globe flocked to Cape Town to share in this triumph achieved by Prof Barnard and his team. Not only was every moment of Mr Washkansky’s recovery documented and observed throughout the world, the surgical team was thrown into the limelight. It was something that the surgical team was not familiar with, and Prof Barnard even famously quoted:
“On Saturday, I was a surgeon in South Africa, very little known. On Monday, I was world-renowned.”
His Charisma
Although Chris was flooded with praise and media attention, he was also ridiculed and criticised for his triumph. Many believed Prof Barnard stole an achievement that was rightfully that of the American researchers Norman and Shumway, while others criticised him for trying to play god. Prof Barnard however, was a master at controlling the media agenda, and swaying interviews, especially those with a large audience, in his favour. His charisma, eloquent attitude, and self confidence skyrocketed him into a level of stardom that even some of the rockstars and movie stars did not experience.
His Famous Friends
After his major medical victory, Prof Barnard was greeted with open arms by many important people across the world. He even received an audience with Pope Paul VI, the head of the Catholic church, who greeted him at the Vatican City. An audience with the Pope was a rare occasion and Prof Barnard received a full 20-minute audience with Pope Paul, a great honor for a once small-town boy from the Karoo.
