Johanna Griggs left heartbroken after beloved mother Leigh dies aged 80: 'Sleep peacefully, Ma'

Johanna Griggs has revealed her beloved mother Leigh died over the weekend aged 80.

The TV personality, 52, shared the sad update on social media on Sunday alongside a gallery of precious family photos. 

'Early this morning our beautiful matriarch passed away. She was our fearless leader. Our guiding light, voice of reason, inspiration. She gave us our values, our principles... and taught us the difference between right and wrong,' Johanna began.

'She taught us to stand up for, or against both of those things. She was beautiful, loving, kind, passionate, vocal, forthright, sometimes crazy and so unbelievably generous... 

'Not just with her time, but also with her desire to teach, to feed, to nurture, to encourage, and with her passion for life and endless readiness to laugh and have a good time.'

Johanna added that she owed her celebrated career to her mother's guidance and leadership.

'She instilled in all of us the meaning and value of family. She was a total boss lady who would fight for all of us like a lioness if she ever felt we needed protection,' she wrote.

'She gave us every opportunity you could imagine in the most selfless of ways - always putting us ahead of herself. I quite simply wouldn't have the life or career I have without her.

'We all owe her so much and are so grateful for every sacrifice she made; every challenge she faced with so much class. She has shaped us all in ways that are hard to truly capture. We are just so grateful she is now in peace,' she continued. 

'We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful woman to have been our mum. Sleep peacefully Ma. You are so loved, valued and appreciated and always will be.'

Many of Joh's celebrity friends took to the comments section to offer their condolences. 

'I'm so sorry. Lots of love to you all. What a wonderful woman she must have been,' wrote fellow Channel Seven presenter Natalie Barr. 

'These pictures you've shared show a remarkable woman, how wonderful. Sending all my love to you and your family sweetheart,' added Home and Away star Georgie Parker. 

Meanwhile, Tipping Point host Todd Woodbridge posted a love heart emoji. 

Johanna rose to fame early in life as the first female Australian swimmer to break the 30-second barrier for the 50-metre backstroke. 

She won a bronze medal in the 100-metre backstroke at the 1990 Commonwealth Games aged 16, and won the 50-metre backstroke race at the Australian Swimming Championships in 1993. 

After her competitive swimming career ended, Johanna became a popular media personality.

She began as a guest on Andrew Denton's ABC sports program Live and Sweaty, before ultimately landing the hosting role on Channel Seven's House Rules in 2013.

Johanna has a long-standing career at the network since joining Seven Sport in 1993 as a host at the Australian Open.