Lady Cathy Ferguson, the spouse of the former manager of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, has passed away at the age of 84.
Cathy Holding and Alex Ferguson first crossed paths while working together at a typewriter factory in 1964. Their union, which began in 1966, resulted in the raising of three children and the welcoming of 12 grandchildren. Their enduring marriage spanned 57 years.
The Ferguson family confirmed Lady Cathy’s passing in a statement released on Friday afternoon, October 5, expressing their deep sorrow. The statement read, “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday 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.”
Sir Alex Ferguson had referred to Cathy as his “bedrock” and acknowledged her pivotal role in his career upon his retirement as the manager of Manchester United in 2013 after 27 years at the helm. He said, “My wife Cathy has been
Ferguson affectionately regarded her as the one person he never engaged in disagreement with, describing her as his unwavering source of support throughout his career. He emphasized that mere words could not adequately convey the profound impact she had on his life.
Lady Ferguson once revealed that, during their initial encounter, she had harbored concerns that the man who would go on to become the most accomplished manager in the history of British football was somewhat intimidating, given he had a plaster on his face due to a football injury. She also fondly recalled their first date, which involved a trip to the cinema and a gift of licorice allsorts, all of which he consumed.
She shared, “That was my idea of a romantic day.” This intimate account was featured in the 2021 documentary titled “Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In,” directed by their son, Jason. She reminisced about their wedding at a Glasgow registry office in 1966, marking the beginning of their lifelong journey. She continued with her work while he pursued his football career.
Manchester United released a statement conveying their heartfelt condolences to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family. In this statement, they described Lady Cathy as a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother who had been an unshakable pillar of strength for Sir Alex throughout his illustrious career.
