Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife Cathy has died 57 years after marrying the former Manchester United manager. Ferguson retired from football in 2013 to spend more time by her side.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife Cathy has sadly passed away aged 84 leaving behind the former Manchester United manager and their three sons.
The Ferguson family issued a statement today which read:
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday [Thursday] of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family asks for privacy at this time.”
Lady Cathy – formerly Holding – met Alex in 1964 and they were married in 1966 before giving birth to son Mark two years later, followed by twins, Darren and Jason, in 1972. She was incredibly supportive of her husband throughout his career at Old Trafford before he stepped down from his role and retired from football in 2013 to spend more time with her.
In fact, were it not for Cathy’s intervention, Ferguson might well have ended up at one of United’s rivals in north London when he was approached by Tottenham.
“The directors, to a man, were enthusiastic endorsers of the choice (Ferguson). All aspects of the contract agreed,”
a book about Spurs, titled Still Dreaming, previously claimed.
“Unfortunately, Mrs Ferguson was not keen on a move to London and that was that.”
But officially retiring in 2013 after 27 years as United’s manager, he recalled:
“When I told her this time I was going to retire she had no objection whatsoever. I knew she wanted me to do it.”
Cathy was by his side when he suffered a life-threatening brain haemorrhage in 2018, before making a full recovery. Son Jason recalled that Ferguson had even written goodbye letters during his recovery for fear he would leave Cathy and his family behind.
“He’d written to my mum, to me, my brothers and all his grandchildren. They were, basically, goodbye letters,” Jason told The Guardian. As well as their three children, the couple also share 13 grandchildren. “Cathy is fantastic with the kids,”
Ferguson said.
“It’s a military operation with her. If any of them misbehave, they’re in the doghouse.”
