Angus Hawley's family and friends have spoken of their shock at his sudden death.

Family and friends of Angus Hawley, who died of a suspected heart attack on Saturday, have spoken of their devastation at the loss.

Mr Hawley, the ex-husband of Antonia Kidman, was only 46 when he died in New York after a swim at the weekend.

Asked whether his brother had heart problems, Mr Hawley’s brother David told Daily Mail Australia:  ‘No, no, not that we know of…  ‘He’s so fit, I don’t understand.’

“It’s a real shock, he was one of the fittest men I’ve ever met – he’s swimming every day,” he added.

Related content: Angus Hawley has passed away.

David Hawley also described his brother, a business development manager at Valor Private Wealth, as “one of the most beautiful men that I have ever known”.

“He is absolutely adored by everybody, he made everybody feel like he’s their best friend and that’s why everybody loved him,” he added.

“(I)t’s just a really emotional time.”

Mamamia Women’s Network Mia Freedman, who has “known and adored” Mr Hawley since she was a teenager, said he was “one of the most warm and big-hearted people” she’d ever met.

“Everything about Angus was big, his personality, his spirit, his love for his children and the way he embraced life. He was loyal to a fault, compassionate and with enormous empathy and such genuine interest in the lives of his friends,” Freedman said.

“He was a gentleman. Incredible manners. In every way, Ang was the real deal. I get that he will always be most famous for the Kidman connection and of course Antonia was an incredibly important part of his life. Together they shared their beautiful children and those kids meant more to him than anything,” she added.

“But he was so much more than anyone’s brother-in-law or anyone’s ex husband. He was a giant spirit, a tremendous and attentive friend to so many and a devoted partner to Prue, his wife. I will always remember him as a cheeky, mischievous ball of unstoppable energy who loved his family and his friends with his heart and soul.

Mr Hawley had four children with Antonia Kidman: Lucia, 16, Hamish, 14, James, 12, and Sybella, eight. The children now live in Singapore with their mum and her second husband Craig Marran.

Related content: Family tragedy for the Kidmans.

The children are said to have a close relationship with their father and have travelled regularly to Australia to stay with him after the pair split in 2007.

Mr Hawley married his second wife, former nanny Prue Fisher, in 2011.

Angus’ brother Phillip released a statement on behalf of the family at the weekend saying, “We confirm that Angus Hawley has suddenly and very unexpectedly died of a suspected heart attack whilst in New York attending a conference.

“There are no further details at this time as it only occurred last night, our time. The family request the media please respect their privacy at this very sad time.”

Our thoughts are with Angus Hawley’s loved ones at this difficult time.