A Personal Loss
Renowned soccer star Megan Rapinoe recently opened up about a deeply personal tragedy. In the June 11 episode of her podcast, A Touch More, the 40-year-old athlete shared with her guest, Abby Wambach, that her older brother, Michael, passed away last year following a long and difficult struggle with alcoholism.
«I went home last year after my older brother Michael died,» Rapinoe shared during the conversation. «He had a long battle with alcoholism. … It was sad.»
Reflections on Addiction and Sacrifice
The conversation took a somber turn as Wambach, who also experienced the loss of her eldest brother, Peter G. Wambach Jr., in 2023, reflected on the shared challenges of professional athletics. Rapinoe, who retired from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the U.S. national team in 2023, spoke candidly about the internal struggles she faced.
«I see the obsession and compulsion and addiction in myself and him too,» Rapinoe admitted while discussing the personal costs of a high-profile sports career.
Wambach noted that her dedication to soccer meant missing significant life milestones. She explained that while her career provided many opportunities, it also created a distance between her and her loved ones. «I had to miss one of my brother’s weddings, which feels like one of the bigger regrets because of soccer. It cost me time, development,» Wambach said.
Family History and Resilience
This public acknowledgment of Michael's passing marks a moment of vulnerability for Rapinoe, who has previously been open about her family’s history with substance abuse. She has often spoken about her brother Brian’s long-term struggles with drug addiction, detailing the impact it had on their family in her memoir, One Life.
«This is the truth about having a drug user in the family: the feeling of devastation never goes away,» she wrote in her book. The Rapinoe family includes five siblings, each of whom has navigated the challenges associated with these complex family dynamics.
Recent Life Transitions
The revelation about her brother’s death comes shortly after another major life change for the athlete. In April, Rapinoe and her longtime partner, Sue Bird, announced their separation after ten years together. In a joint statement, the two expressed that the decision was made with «love, respect and care» for one another, noting that they remain grateful for the decade of life they built together.