New Zealand financier Sir Frank Renouf's former wife diagnosed with kidney failure

Lady Susan Renouf acquired her title during her third marriage to Sir Frank Renouf in 1985. Photo /File

New Zealand financier Sir Frank Renouf's former wife, who is battling ovarian cancer, has been hospitalised and diagnosed with kidney failure.

Lady Susan Renouf, who lives in Australia, has been receiving blood transfusions at Cabrini Hospital, in Melbourne's southeast, since palliative care doctors diagnosed her with acute kidney failure, the Herald Sun reported.

The 76-year-old socialite, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013, has been joined by her Adelaide-based daughters Ann Peacock and Caroline Cordeaux, and Jane Chapple-Hyam, who travelled from the UK.

Ms Peacock said her mother is receiving first-rate care but is hoping to take her home "in the next day or so".

"Mum is so grateful for the wonderful care and attention she has been receiving," she told the Herald Sun.

Lady Susan, who has been raising awareness about ovarian cancer since her diagnosis, acquired her title during her third marriage to Sir Frank in 1985.

The New Zealand financier broke records for the highest-price paid for a Sydney property in 1988 when he bought "Paradis sur Mer" at Point Piper, an affluent harbourside suburb in the city's east, from Lady Susan's second husband, British gambling tycoon Robert Sangster.

Lady Susan came to public attention as the wife of rising Liberal star Andrew Peacock and with their three daughters, the glamour couple were often referred to as Australia's John and Jackie Kennedy.

She went on to marry British horse-racing millionaire Robert Sangster and then New Zealand tycoon Sir Frank Renouf.

An advocate of the arts, horse racing and, she often laughed, helping to prop up the champagne industry, Lady Susan has been working to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.