“He Just Wanted to Hide Sometimes” : Wayne Gretzky’s Father Described How His Son’s Growing Celebrity Status Affected Him in the Late 80s

Wayne Gretzky’s success proved to be a boon and a bane for him. While his ice hockey prowess brought him success, it also gave him unwanted attention. In his 2001 autobiography ‘On Family, Hockey and Healing’, Walter Gretzky, the now 62-year-old’s father, disclosed how Wayne Gretzky’s success affected him. Relating to how he supported Wayne, Walter gave a rare glimpse of Wayne Gretzky’s struggle with his new celebrity status. 

The 80s was an important year in Wayne Gretzky’s career when ‘The Great One’ became one of the top scorers for the Edmonton Oilers. Relating how fans would ask for autographs and mementos, Walter narrated how some passionate fans would even go through the Gretzkys’ garbage for memorabilia. Talking about how Gretzky was affected by fans when he was dating, Walter Gretzky recounted how he offered his son guidance. 

Walter Gretzky held nothing back on Wayne Gretzky’s celebrity status 

Walter Gretzky narrated that though he offered guidance to Wayne Gretzky, he felt intense pressure. “By the late ‘80s, after years of really intense work as an athlete and being in the spotlight, I knew Wayne was feeling stressed”, Walter said. 

Continuing, Wayne Gretzky’s father related how the media’s intense interest in his personal life affected him. “He’d get mobbed by fans wherever he went”, Walter recalled. At that time, Wayne was dating Janet Jones, a popular American actress, and the media showed an intense interest in the Great One’s dating life. Describing its impact on his son, Walter remarked, “I know how he wanted to further hide sometimes.” 

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With this, he also recounted how strangers came to their home, asking for photographs. Further, he narrated how Gretzky liked to spend time with his closest relatives in Dallas and North Carolina, away from the spotlight. Needless to say, Wayne Gretzky deeply values his privacy and doesn’t want it to be disturbed. Once, in a 2017 interview, Wayne Gretzky also described how the increasing media attention affected him. 

Wayne Gretzky describes how he dealt with his immense popularity 

‘The Great One’ made these revelations in an interview with the media outlet Esquire in 2017. “I was thrown in the fire at a young age”, ‘Wayne Gretzky admitted. 

Continuing, he related how he achieved fame at the age of 10 and got more public attention than usual. Further, he implied how his parents helped him deal with this fame and keep him grounded. Describing his strong bond with his parents, Wayne Gretzky indicated how his parents had an important place in his life. 

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Walter Gretzky’s statements depict how Wayne Gretzky’s success opened Pandora’s box of troubles for him. What do you think is the current approach to dealing with the pressure that comes with being a celebrity? Share your thoughts in the comments section.