Current:Home > StocksOlympian Madeline Musselman Honors Husband Pat Woepse After Fatal Cancer Battle -BeyondProfit Compass
Olympian Madeline Musselman Honors Husband Pat Woepse After Fatal Cancer Battle
View
Date:2025-04-16 03:45:32
Madeline Musselman is remembering her late husband.
Less than a month after the Olympian shared her husband Pat Woepse had died at 31 following a battle with a rare form of cancer called NUT carcinoma, she joined family and friends to celebrate his life at an outing to Newport Beach, Calif.
In addition to a church service, Pat's loved ones honored him with an ocean swim as a tribute to the late UCLA water polo player, who once swam across the English Channel.
"All for you, Pat. All for you," Madeline captioned a Nov. 3 Instagram video. "We love you and miss you. We can do hard things. PW FOREVER."
The 26-year-old—who won gold with her water polo team at the 2020 Tokyo and 2016 Rio Olympics—first shared the news of Pat's passing on Oct. 10.
"No words to describe the ache of missing him" she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two on the beach. "He was the light of my life and my person. He was my first love and the best husband I could have ever asked for."
She added, "And although it feels heavy and I can't breathe as I sit here typing this out, he is no longer in pain and was so at peace during his last moments. He battled one of the most rare cancers for over a year, never complained, and fought harder than anyone should have to fight for something in their life."
But he'll always be in her heart.
"I love you so much babe," she said. "I will be missing you forever."
Madeline and Pat first met in 2022 and married in October 2023, shortly after learning about his cancer diagnosis.
"All the people that came together to make it happen within four days," Madeline recalled to NBCLos Angeles in August, "it was pretty crazy. We had flowers. We had a church that welcomed us with open arms to marry us. It was just a perfect weekend."
Pat had previously shared that despite his health and the chemotherapy treatments he was undergoing, he was determined to watch his wife compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics—and he did.
"This was my biggest goal, with everything being so unknown," he told NBC. "So pretty emotional, emotional day for me. Couldn't be more thrilled to be here to support Maddie and the team.
And while the couple wanted to keep many aspects of their lives private, the athletes shared their hope that by being open about their story they could be an inspiration to others dealing with difficult situations.
"We're sharing our story not for people to feel sorry for us or feel bad for what we're going through," Madeline said. "If anything it's for inspiration and that you can get to the other side of things With the people that are right next to you, we hope for that."
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (3935)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Britain says it has no plans for conscription, after top general says the UK may need a citizen army
- Why did Bucks fire coach Adrian Griffin? They didn't believe he could lead team to title
- US congressional delegation makes first trip to Taiwan after island’s presidential election
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Voter turnout in 2024 New Hampshire GOP primary eclipses record
- Live updates | Patients stuck in Khan Younis’ main hospital as Israel battles militants in the city
- Japan’s exports surge 10% in December on strong demand for autos, revived trade with China
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- The death toll from a small plane crash in Canada’s Northwest Territories is 6, authorities say
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Vatican tribunal rejects auditor’s wrongful termination lawsuit in a case that exposed dirty laundry
- Daniel Will: How Does Stock Split Work
- Swiss financial regulator gets a new leader as UBS-Credit Suisse merger sparks calls for reform
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- A Texas school’s punishment of a Black student who wears dreadlocks is going to trial
- Teenager awaiting trial in 2020 homicide flees outside Philadelphia hospital
- Five players from 2018 Canada world junior team take leave of absence from their clubs
Recommendation
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
'Queen of America' Laura Linney takes on challenging mom role with Sundance film 'Suncoast'
Union membership hit a historic low in 2023, here's what the data says.
Save Up to 72% Off on Cult-Fave Peter Thomas Roth Essentials That Will Transform Your Skincare Routine
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Jury seated in trial of Michigan mom whose son killed 4 at school
Jon Stewart will return to 'The Daily Show' as a weekly guest host
Archaeologists unearth rare 14th-century armor near Swiss castle: Sensational find