“Can’t Take Ownership”: Michael Phelps ’ Wife Opened Up on Failing to ‘Fix’ Him Herself From Depression

Michael Phelps is a name synonymous with enormous success and multiple records. The legendary swimmer was set apart from his contemporaries by winning 28 Olympic medals. It was a feat never achieved before in the history of the sport. Despite struggling multiple times with various issues, the swimming legend managed to pull through.

Michael Phelps has been very vocal about his struggles with mental health over the past years. He hit rock bottom in 2014 when he was arrested for driving under influence. Phelps’ wife has been his primary support during tough times and continues to be.

Michael’s wife feared losing him

Michael and his wife Nicole married in a private ceremony in 2016. He has revealed in multiple interviews the tremendous impact she has had on his life. Nicole played a significant role in 2014, one of the darkest years of his life.

In an interview, in January 2020, she opened up about trying to fix Michael’s depression herself. “I used to think, ‘Oh, I can fix him. I can be his therapist,” she said. Nicole spoke about how Kobe Bryant’s death changed her perspective on life. She recalled how she would repeatedly look at Michael and ask him if he needed any help.

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Speaking on how she dealt with Michael’s mental health, she said, “But what I’ve learned is that you can’t take ownership of how they’re feeling, no matter how badly you want to.” Nicole goes for therapy herself frequently, and it has helped her immensely.

Michael Phelps and Nicole’s relationship

Michael met Nicole for the first time at the ESPY awards in 2007. Nicole was assigned as an athletic guard to Michael at the event. At that time, she did not like the job. It was then that they realized their common interests. The couple soon started dating. However, due to Phelps’ swimming commitments and, as the Olympics were nearing, the couple broke up in late 2011. They got back together the following year but split again before the London Olympics in 2012.

Nicole opened up to Cosmopolitan and revealed that their split was what their relationship needed. Even though it was tough, the couple remained friends after the breakup. But in 2014, Phelps sent her a text confessing his profound love for her. “I never wanted to have a ‘What if?’ I just told her exactly how I felt,” he said, revealing what he wrote in the letter. A couple of months later, they got back together and announced their engagement in February 2015. The couple married in a private ceremony in June 2016.

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