‘She’s My Hero’: Golf Legend Tom Watson Emotionally Broke Down After His Second Wife’s Passing to Cancer in 2019

Hilary Watson, the legendary Tom Watson’s second wife, died of cancer in 2019 after battling it for around two years. The couple had been married for 20 years before her the 63-year-old parted way with her life. Although she was his wife, the American professional golfer respected her a lot; even considered her his ‘Hero.’ 

Born in 1956 and m, Hilary Watson, née Holton, was known to have a cheerful personality. She was a beautiful daughter, wife, mother, animal lover, and a great friend. Her demise brought sadness to many; her three siblings, her three children, two step-children, grandkids, and especially her loving husband. 

“The void she leaves will be filled by memories which will always remain as they leave indelible marks on our souls which we will never forget,” the 8-time major champion wrote shortly after her demise. “She said she was dying to live, not living to die throughout her entire ordeal with her cancer,” he further added. “She’s my hero.”

Hilary Watson never lost her spirit, even after the deadly disease attacked her

Tom Watson married his second wife, Hilary Holton, in 1999. After 18 years of their wonderful married life, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2017. Reports suggest that 91% of people with pancreatic cancer die within five years of diagnosis. Even though Mrs. Watson knew the dark side of her disease, she never showed difficulty in taking on new challenges.  

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Notably, she finished fourth in the 2018 National Cutting Horse Association amateur rider of the year finals. She died in 2019; however, not before she took part in the competition once again and finished 5th. 

“I think that’s what kept me going through all of that,” Hilary Watson told a newspaper in 2018. “Having those shows and being enthusiastic and excited about doing something.” 

Tom Watson devoted his time to be with his wife in the last part of her life

The 1988 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee used to play for the PGA Tour Champions in 2019. However, Watson retired from his career after 10 starts in 2019 to spend the rest of the couple’s life together. 

Watson and his wife enjoyed horse riding. The athletic couple wanted to spend the rest of their lives doing what they enjoyed doing the most. “We’re going to do something different now,” he said after his retirement.

Life stops for no one; however, it is up to us to make the best out of it. Cancer may have defeated Hilary Watson in the end. But she never caved in and tried to live her life to the fullest until her death with her loving husband. Indeed, she is a hero! 

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