Michael Flatley announces death of his wife Niamh, aged 52

Right · 2Michael Flatley announced on social media on Monday 5 October 2026 that his wife Niamh has died. 1 2 Right · 2The Irish Independent reports she was 52; the Daily Mail says she was in her early fifties and that Flatley is 68. 2 1 Right · 2In his statement Flatley said he had lost his "beautiful wife" and best friend, described her as a "gorgeous bride of twenty years" who had "gone to the Lord in Heaven", and asked people to keep Niamh, their son Michael St James and the family in their prayers. 2 1

Right · 2Friends say Flatley has been "left distraught, devastated and utterly grief stricken". 2 1 Right · 1The Irish Independent adds that it is understood Niamh, originally from Co. Meath, had been hours away from being flown to the US for specialist treatment, that she had suffered serious ill health for several years, and that friends say Flatley spent "every waking hour" looking after her; the Daily Mail does not report these details. 2 Right · 2Niamh began dancing at three and performed in Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames and the Celtic Tiger; the pair met on the set of Riverdance, and she was in the line-up during the 1994 Eurovision interval. 2 1

Right · 2They became a couple in 2006, married that year in Fermoy, Co Cork, and had a son, Michael Saint James, in 2007. 2 1 Right · 1The Irish Independent says she remained integral to the touring show despite her illness, working with costume designers, dancers and service providers. 2 Right · 2Both outlets recall Flatley's 2013 Piers Morgan's Life Stories interview, in which he called her his "best friend", and his comments to the Irish Independent last year that she supported him through cancer surgery. 2 1

Right · 1The Irish Independent also notes that Flatley pulled out of the 2025 presidential race weeks after announcing his campaign, saying he must put his family and health first. 2