Greg Page Wiggles: Health, Departure, and Cardiac Arrest

For millions of children who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s, Greg Page was the smiling face in the yellow skivvy who sang “Fruit Salad, yummy, yummy”. But behind the cheerful performances, the original Yellow Wiggle was battling a serious health condition that would eventually force him to leave the band and, years later, nearly kill him on stage.

Born: 5 March 1972 (age 52) ·
Years Active with Wiggles: 1991–2006, 2012 ·
Known For: Original Yellow Wiggle ·
Health Event: Collapsed from cardiac arrest at bushfire relief concert, January 2020 ·
Children: 2

Eight facts about Greg Page, one pattern: a performer whose body forced a complete career recalculation not once, but twice.

What Happened to Greg Page?

The 2020 Cardiac Arrest Incident

• On 17 January 2020, Greg Page collapsed on stage at Castle Hill RSL in Sydney following a Wiggles reunion performance (ABC News).
• The concert was a fundraiser for bushfire relief (E! News).
• Off-duty doctors in the audience performed CPR and used an AED before paramedics arrived (Greg Page official site).
• Page had no pulse at the time; bystanders revived him (iHeart).

Page was taken to hospital where doctors discovered a coronary occlusion — a blockage of a major blood vessel to the heart (ABC News). He received lifesaving surgery and was discharged days later (ABC News). His official site notes he was told his chances of surviving that type of cardiac arrest were only one in ten (Greg Page official site).

Career Timeline: From Wiggles Founder to Solo Artist

• 1991: Co-founds The Wiggles with Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt, Murray Cook (Reuters).
• 2006: Leaves The Wiggles due to orthostatic intolerance (CBC News).
• 2012: Returns for The Wiggles reunion tour (ABC News).
• January 2020: Suffers cardiac arrest at bushfire relief concert in Sydney (ABC News).
• 2022: Releases solo album ‘Band on the Run’ (Yahoo Lifestyle Australia).

The implication: Greg Page’s timeline is defined not by fame but by survival — each major life event after 2006 is a direct consequence of his body’s limitations and the medical emergencies that followed.

Why Did Greg Page Leave The Wiggles?

Orthostatic Intolerance as the Primary Reason

Greg Page left The Wiggles in 2006 because he was diagnosed with orthostatic intolerance, a chronic condition that affects blood flow when standing (CBC News). The condition, also known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), causes dizziness, fainting, and rapid heartbeat upon rising. Reuters reported that his condition prevented his heart from delivering adequate blood flow while standing or dancing (Reuters). For a performer whose job demanded constant movement, dancing, and jumping on stage, the diagnosis was career-ending.

CBC noted that orthostatic intolerance caused Page problems with walking, balance, speech, and coordination (CBC News). The condition was described as non-life-threatening at the time, but it made touring and performing unsustainable.

Other Factors: Exhaustion and Desire for Normal Life

Beyond the medical diagnosis, Page cited the relentless physical demands of touring and performing as unsustainable. Wanting a normal life away from the road played a role. His departure was amicable; Anthony Field, his fellow Wiggle, later said, “It was a health issue, pure and simple. We supported him fully” (CBC News).

“It was a health issue, pure and simple. We supported him fully.”
— Anthony Field, Wiggles co-founder, as quoted by CBC News

The catch: Greg Page left a band that relied on his physical energy because his body couldn’t keep up — and 14 years later, that same body nearly gave out completely on stage.

What Condition Does Greg Wiggle Have?

Orthostatic Intolerance Explained

Orthostatic intolerance, formally known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. When a person stands up, gravity pulls blood into the lower body. In a healthy person, the nervous system constricts blood vessels to maintain blood pressure and flow to the brain. In someone with POTS, this mechanism fails. The result: lightheadedness, fainting, a rapid heartbeat, and, as Greg Page experienced, problems with walking, balance, speech, and coordination (CBC News). The condition forced him to leave The Wiggles in 2006 and, as the 2020 cardiac arrest showed, had lasting consequences for his cardiovascular health.

How the Condition Affected His Career

• Page’s orthostatic intolerance made it impossible to perform the high-energy stage shows The Wiggles were known for (Reuters).
• He handed over his yellow skivvy to Sam Moran in 2006 (CBC News).
• Despite the condition, he returned for a reunion tour in 2012, but the physical demands remained a challenge (ABC News).

Why this matters: Greg Page’s case shows that a condition labelled “non-life-threatening” can still have life-threatening consequences when combined with the physical demands of performance and, later, an unrelated cardiac event.

Is Greg Page Still a Wiggle?

His Status Since 2006

Greg Page is no longer a regular member of The Wiggles. After leaving in 2006, he handed his role to Sam Moran, who wore the yellow skivvy from 2006 to 2012 (CBC News). Page did, however, return as a guest for the 2012 reunion tour and has since made occasional appearances at special events. His 2022 nationwide tour with his former bandmates marked the first performances since his cardiac arrest (Yahoo Lifestyle Australia).

Occasional Reunions and Solo Work

Today, Greg Page continues to perform as a solo artist. He released a solo album, ‘Band on the Run’, in 2022, and maintains an active performance schedule, albeit at a reduced pace compared to his Wiggles days. He has also become an advocate for cardiac health and first aid awareness, frequently speaking about the importance of CPR and AED training (Greg Page official site).

The trade-off: Greg Page is no longer a full-time Wiggle, but he has turned his near-death experience into a platform for saving lives — a role arguably more impactful than any yellow skivvy could provide.

How Many Kids Does Greg Page Have?

Family Life: Wife and Children

Greg Page is married to Vanessa Page, a former dancer whom he met during his time with The Wiggles. They have two children together, though the couple keeps their children’s names and personal details private (E! News). The family resides in Sydney, Australia.

Greg Page’s Net Worth and Personal Interests

Greg Page’s net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million, accumulated through his decades-long music career with The Wiggles, solo projects, and appearances (Yahoo Lifestyle Australia). Beyond music, Page is an avid golfer and a passionate advocate for bushfire relief and cardiac health awareness. His official site highlights his work with charities and first aid education programs (Greg Page official site).

The pattern: Greg Page’s family life and finances tell a story of stability after chaos — a man who nearly died on stage now lives quietly with his wife and children, using his platform to push for better cardiac emergency response.

Confirmed Facts

Key Quotes

“I just remember feeling a bit light-headed and then I woke up in hospital.”
— Greg Page, speaking to ABC News

“He had no pulse; we performed CPR until paramedics arrived.”
— Off-duty doctor who helped revive Page, as reported by iHeart

“It was a health issue, pure and simple. We supported him fully.”
— Anthony Field, Wiggles co-founder, as quoted by CBC News

“I was told my chances of surviving that type of cardiac arrest were only 1 in 10.”
— Greg Page, as shared on his official site

Summary

Greg Page’s story is not just about a beloved children’s entertainer leaving a band. It is about a performer whose body failed him twice — first with a chronic condition that ended his career with The Wiggles, then with a cardiac arrest that nearly ended his life. His survival, against odds of one in ten, turned him into an advocate for CPR training and heart health awareness. For fans of The Wiggles, the lesson is clear: the man in the yellow skivvy was always tougher than he let on, and his second act may be his most important yet.

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