Legendary English cricketer Graham Thorpe's wife has revealed that the 55-year-old who was battling and depression for several years died by suicide. Thorpe's wife Amanda said that in May 2022 he attempted to kill himself too as he was seriously ill. He recovered but decided to end his life earlier this month.
'Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better. He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him and we are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life,' Amanda told The Times.
Wife shares favourite memory
Thorpe is survived by his wife and four children. His wife said that he barely talked about cricket at home and was free-spirited.
'That's the Graham I know and remember and loved. Graham was a free spirit. My favourite memory of him is in Barbados, which he loved, enjoying a rum punch and listening to his favourite reggae after a swim. He was handsome, so handsome. He was funny and he made us all laugh so much', she added.
'For the past couple of years, Graham had been suffering from major depression and anxiety. This led him to make a serious attempt on his life in May 2022, which resulted in a prolonged stay in an intensive care unit.
Daughter remembers his father before he was ill
Thorpe was set to join Afghanistan men's cricket team as head coach but had to cancel his stint after he was admitted to the hospital. His eldest daughter from his second marriage, Kitty said that the family is not ashamed to talk about the drastic step he took.
“We are not ashamed of talking about it,” Kitty said.
“There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma. This is the time now to share the news, however horrible it is.
'He had loved life and he loved us but he just couldn't see a way out.”
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
