Cathy Ferguson, Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife, died 57 years after marrying the legendary Manchester United manager. Ferguson left football in 2013 to spend more time with her.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife, Cathy, died at the age of 84, leaving the former Manchester United manager and their three kids behind.
The Ferguson family issued the following statement today: “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, née Holding, met Alex in 1964 and married in 1966 before having a son Mark two years later, followed by twins Darren and Jason in 1972. She was a huge supporter of her husband’s career at Old Trafford before he stepped down and retired from football in 2013 to spend more time with her.
In fact, if Cathy hadn’t intervened, Ferguson might have ended up at one of United’s rivals in north London when 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.”
Ferguson, 81, has not attended any of United’s recent home games. He previously stated that if it hadn’t been for the loss of Cathy’s twin sister and best friend Bridget, he would have remained in charge of United beyond his retirement at the end of the 2012/13 season.
“I definitely would have carried on,’ Ferguson told the Daily Telegraph. “I saw she [Cathy] was watching television one night, and she looked up at the ceiling. I knew she was isolated. She and Bridget were twins, you know?”
Ferguson recalled how Cathy had encouraged him not to end his career when he announced his retirement in 2002, reasoning: “One, your health is good. Two, I’m not having you in the house. And three, you’re too young anyway.”
But, after 27 years as United’s manager, he announced his retirement in 2013: “When I told her this time I was going to retire, she had no objection whatsoever. I could tell she wanted me to do it.”
Cathy was by his side when he suffered a potentially fatal brain hemorrhage in 2018, but he recovered completely. Ferguson had even written goodbye letters to Cathy and his family during his rehabilitation, according to his son Jason.
“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.”
Ferguson paid tribute to his wife following his farewell speech to United after his final home match as manager. He went on to say: “I think a lot of the time, for 47 years, she’s been the leader of the family, looked after our three sons and sacrificed herself for me.”
Michael Carrick, a former United player, stated that Ferguson’s retirement was announced in the dressing room, where his manager grew “emotional.” Ferguson, according to Carrick, told his squad, “I feel that I owe it to my wife to be with her and look after her.”
Manchester United issued a statement paying tribute to Cathy, which read: “Everyone at Manchester United extends their sincere condolences to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family following the death of Lady Cathy. Lady Cathy was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a pillar to Sir Alex throughout his career.”
