Current:Home > ContactOlympian Madeline Musselman Honors Husband Pat Woepse After Fatal Cancer Battle -AssetLink
Olympian Madeline Musselman Honors Husband Pat Woepse After Fatal Cancer Battle
View
Date:2025-04-15 20:11:33
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! (117)
Related
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- Spanish soccer player rejects official's defiance after unsolicited kiss
- Former Olympian Alexandra Paul killed in car crash at 31, Skate Canada says
- Wear chrome, Beyoncé tells fans: Fast-fashion experts ring the alarm on concert attire
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- Former Olympian Alexandra Paul killed in car crash at 31, Skate Canada says
- What to stream this week: Indiana Jones, ‘One Piece,’ ‘The Menu’ and tunes from NCT and Icona Pop
- COMIC: In the '90s I survived summers in Egypt with no AC. How would it feel now?
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Novak Djokovic's results at US Open have been different from other Grand Slams: Here's why
Ranking
- Police remove gator from pool in North Carolina town: Watch video of 'arrest'
- Why the Duck Dynasty Family Retreated From the Spotlight—and Are Returning on Their Own Terms
- Shakira to Receive Video Vanguard Award at 2023 MTV VMAs
- Illegal logging thrives in Mexico City’s forest-covered boroughs, as locals strive to plant trees
- Kansas City Chiefs CEO's Daughter Ava Hunt Hospitalized After Falling Down a Mountain
- Selena Gomez Reacts to Speculation Her Song “Single Soon” Is About Ex-Boyfriend The Weeknd
- Zach Bryan releases entirely self-produced album: 'I put everything I could in it'
- The 4 biggest moments from this week's BRICS summit — and why they matter
Recommendation
Bet365 ordered to refund $519K to customers who it paid less than they were entitled on sports bets
Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls recap: Messi scores electric goal in 2-0 victory
Ten-hut Time Machine? West Point to open time capsule possibly left by cadets in the 1820s
The towering legends of the Muffler Men
Connie Chiume, South African 'Black Panther' actress, dies at 72
Man convicted of killing LAPD cop after 40 years in retrial
Q&A: Ami Zota on the Hidden Dangers in Beauty Products—and Why Women of Color Are Particularly at Risk
Simone Biles wins a record 8th US Gymnastics title a full decade after her first