DailySun
Olympic cycling icon Sir Bradley Wiggins seemed in high spirits as he graced the Sports Personality of the Year Awards with his children.
In this rare public appearance, Isabella and Ben Wiggins showcased their pride alongside their renowned father on the red carpet last night, marking a memorable occasion after enduring one of the most challenging years of his life.
7
7
7
The 44-year-old was greatly supported by his adult children during this challenging time, reflecting on his struggles with homelessness and bankruptcy.
This year has brought its share of trials for the family, particularly following ex-wife Cath’s decision to sell the family home, where she currently resides with their son and daughter.
Notwithstanding the obstacles, Cath and the children have unwaveringly supported Sir Wiggo during his most challenging moments.
His ex-wife even offered him a place to stay when he found himself without shelter, and he counts on his son Ben, a professional cyclist, as a vital source of support during a particularly dark period last year.
With his distinctive mod haircut and distinctive style, Bradley achieved global fame as the first British winner of the Tour de France, clinching Olympic gold medals within just a week in 2012.
That year, he was recognized as BBC Sports Personality of the Year and later received a Knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list.
These achievements allowed him to accumulate substantial wealth, yet beneath the surface lay a troubled individual known only to those closest to him.
It wasn’t until 2022 that he began to share the traumatic experiences from his childhood that had plagued him and driven him to alcohol.
His father, Gary—a professional cyclist battling addiction—abandoned the family when Bradley was just 18 months old but returned two decades later after Bradley’s early triumphs in cycling.
However, upon their reunion, his father bluntly told him, “You’ll never match your old man.”
Bradley Wiggins fights back tears as he pays heartfelt tribute to Sir Chris Hoy following cancer diagnosis
7
Between the ages of 13 and 16, Bradley suffered sexual abuse at the hands of his coach Stan Knight, who passed away in 2003.
Behind closed doors, it was his wife Cath and their children who witnessed his painful decline, exacerbated by the pressures of success and his feelings of inadequacy.
At one point, he even destroyed his awards in front of Ben and Isabella, now aged 19 and 18, respectively, to convey that trophies mean little in comparison to the efforts taken to achieve them.
He recounted, “I smashed my Sports Personality trophy and knighthood in front of my children and cast them into the flower bed to highlight a point.
“I aimed to instill in them that material accolades are not what we cherish; rather, it’s the journey and effort that truly matter.”
Family Challenges
Bradley’s meteoric rise to fame in 2012 posed difficulties for his children, who had to switch schools.
Following his 2012 Tour de France victory, Isabella and Ben faced bullying at school from peers suggesting their father had relied on performance-enhancing drugs, similar to the disgraced Lance Armstrong.
“That Tour victory transformed everything,” Wiggins reflected. “I left home a relative unknown and returned as the most recognized person in the country for that week.
“It presented a challenge for both me and my family. My son encountered bullying at school. Ultimately, we had to transition the kids to a different school.”
Sir Bradley’s Financial Troubles
2017
Spear’s Magazine assessed Sir Bradley’s net worth at £13 million, placing him just behind Andy Murray and Justin Rose on Team GB’s 2016 member list.
This figure included lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Fred Perry and Skoda, which were worth millions.
2022
Liquidators lodged a claim against him for £1 million, which he disputed.
A claim for £760,373 from the prior year had increased, as administrators sought repayment on an overdrawn director’s loan, prompting a financial audit.
In September of that year, filings showed that Sir Bradley entered an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) to prevent bankruptcy.
2024
The cyclist was declared bankrupt at Lancaster County Court on June 3.
‘Manic Episode’
Further hurdles awaited the Wiggins children. In 2015, after struggling with her mental health, Cath was hospitalized for a week due to what she termed a ‘manic episode’ triggered by past traumas.
“It was an incredibly dark time,” she reflected. “It’s horrific—for both the person suffering and their family. Unless you’ve been through it, you can’t truly grasp its severity.”
She was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and placed on medication, which gradually helped her recovery.
In 2016, while Cath was on the mend, allegations surfaced concerning Bradley facing an anti-doping investigation related to a Jiffy bag reportedly delivered to him in France in 2011.
He vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and in November 2017, the investigation was closed due to insufficient evidence of any banned substance; however, the cloud of suspicion remained.
7
7
Despite these adversities, Cath and the children continue to stand resolutely by Bradley’s side.
“I have complete faith in his integrity as an athlete,” she affirmed, sharing that their children have similar beliefs and never question their father.
Homelessness & Bankruptcy
As both Cath and Bradley grappled with mental health struggles, a new crisis emerged.
Poor financial choices, legal costs to defend his reputation, and lost sponsorships resulted in a steep decline in Bradley’s wealth.
The escalating stress ultimately led to the couple’s separation in 2020, with Bradley publicly announcing their breakup without prior discussion with Cath.
“My son actually intervened and made me aware of the self-destructive path I was on,”
Bradley Wiggins
Half a year later, he began a relationship with PR executive Laura Hartshorne, with whom he shares a daughter named Ava, now three. However, they have since parted ways.
Earlier this year, Wiggins was declared bankrupt and found himself dependent on others for housing.
However, it was his ex-wife Cath and their children who came to his aid, inviting him to stay in the family residence so he could celebrate Father’s Day with them.
She expressed, “It’s a tragically desperate situation for him, which is why I’ve offered him a place to stay for the time being.”
Clearly, she and their teenage children continue to provide strong support for Bradley as he strives to settle his debts and restore his life.
‘Self-Destructive Mode’
This year, Wiggins candidly spoke about his descent into depression, his struggle with alcohol, and how Ben worried for his father’s safety in November of the previous year.
In a heartfelt interview on The High Performance Podcast, he credited his junior cycling star son Ben with saving him, stating, “There were some really extreme moments. Probably the last one was about a year ago, without going into specifics.
7
“But I was in a very dark place in a very dark room for many days, and it was a hotel. My son was the one who intervened and made me recognize the self-destructive mode I was in.
“There were many factors that contributed to this.”
As he begins to face his trauma and recognize its effects on his life, he expresses a renewed sense of pride in himself.
He affirmed, “I’m proud of who I’m becoming. I believe I’m a good father to my kids.”
While he had previously linked his struggles to his cycling success, he now states that cycling “saved his life” and insists he wouldn’t change anything about his past.
He reflected, “It saved my life in various ways. I’m uncertain where I’d be today without it. Cycling has provided me with everything.
“I wouldn’t alter a thing; every element of my journey has contributed to shaping who I am. I believe my best years are still ahead.”
Without a doubt, Ben, who aims to follow in his father’s cycling footsteps, alongside Isabella, will be there to support him as he endeavors to rebuild his life.
