BRAVE FIGHT
Denis Law’s health battle with dementia left Man Utd icon losing memory & leaning on ‘strong’ wife before death at 84
Denis was always remarkably open about his struggle with the disease
MANCHESTER United legend Denis Law faced a "tough battle" with Alzheimer's and dementia in the years before his death on Friday, aged 84.
Denis revealed his dementia diagnosis in August 2021, aged 81, and remained committed to bringing more awareness to the disease until his death.
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He and his wife Diana spoke out about the challenges of caring for a partner with dementia as part of an Alzheimer’s Society campaign in March 2023.
Their moving joint testimony read: "When you get married, you never imagine that decades after making those vows of ‘in sickness and in health’ that you will end up testing them to the limits with dementia.
“We tackle everything together. But living with dementia means Diana has to take responsibility a bit more now although we still come as a team of course. It’s a change for both of us."
Denis was open about his diagnosis from the beginning, and recognised that his remaining days would be "hard, demanding, painful and ever changing".
He said at the time: "I recognise how my brain is deteriorating and how my memory evades me when I don't want it to and how this causes me distress in situations that are beyond my control.
"I do understand what is happening and that is why I want to address my situation now whilst I am able, because I know there will be days when I don't understand and I hate the thought of that right now."
Denis joined a string of other footballers diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease, including his former United teammate Sir Bobby Charlton.
A statement from the Law family on Friday night read: "It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away.
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"He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace."
"We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his well-being and care, past and much more recently.
"We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference. Thank you."
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