Graham Thorpe's wife, Amanda, has revealed that the cricket legend took his own life, shedding light on his battle with mental health. Thorpe, who passed away at the age of 55 last week, had enjoyed a long and celebrated career with England and Surrey.
The father of four had been seriously ill and hospitalized in May 2022 following a suicide attempt. Though he initially recovered, he tragically took his own life on Sunday, August 4, as Amanda confirmed.
In an interview with The Times, Amanda shared, "Despite having a wife and two daughters who loved him dearly, he struggled to get better. He was deeply unwell in recent times and believed that we would be better off without him." She expressed the family's devastation that Graham ultimately acted on those thoughts.
Amanda revealed that Graham had been suffering from severe depression and anxiety for several years. He was admitted to an intensive care unit in May 2022 after an attempt on his life. Although there were moments of hope where glimpses of the old Graham emerged, his mental health continued to deteriorate despite numerous treatments.
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"Graham was known for his mental toughness on the field and was in excellent physical health, but mental illness is a real disease that can affect anyone," Amanda said.
Thorpe made his international debut in 1993 and quickly made an impact, scoring a century in his first Ashes appearance—becoming the first England player to do so in 20 years. A regular fixture in the England team, he played 100 Tests, scored 16 centuries, and made 82 appearances for the ODI side. His final Test appearance was in June 2005, before he was omitted from that summer's victorious Ashes series, marking the end of his international career.
The England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement expressing their profound sadness at Thorpe's passing: "There are no words to describe the deep shock we feel at Graham's death. He was not only one of England's finest-ever batters but also a beloved member of the cricket community, admired by fans worldwide. His skill and achievements brought immense joy to his teammates and supporters alike.
As a coach, he guided England's best talent to incredible victories across all formats of the game. The cricket world is in mourning today. Our thoughts are with his wife Amanda, his children, his father Geoff, and all his family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. We will always remember Graham for his extraordinary contributions to the sport."
