“Dad Always Bought Them”: Mourning Father’s Loss Michael Phelps Sister Gets Emotional on Christmas

Michael Phelps is one personality whose feats, achievements, and drive to chase personal goals are unparalleled. However, besides his excellence in the pool, he is also an excellent human being to his family, mainly for the time and effort he devotes to them. This Christmas when he donned the Santa Claus role for his nephews in the absence of his dad, he showed his gentlemanly colors once again. Let’s find out how.

Hilary Phelps, Michael Phelps’s sister, recently put out an Instagram post celebrating Christmas with family. The Baltimore Bullet and his wife Nicole Johnson were present with their kids, among others. Although one major figure missing was their father who passed away this year. Their dad, Michael Fred Phelps, always surprised his grandkids with a special gift every Christmas. But with him missing this year, this is how his son Michael Phelps took over that role for his nephews.

A full family Christmas gathering, but sadly without their dad

Hilary Phelps’ Instagram caption read how they celebrated their family Christmas in Arizona every year and it fulfilled their heart beyond measure. The comments flowed naturally, adorning them with wishes and heartfelt love. One user noted a particular thing in the photos and commented, “Uh oh.. the #hess ad got someone. It almost got me… if my little girls had ANY interest in trucks, I would’ve bought it”. The Hess trucks are a line of toys manufactured by the namesake corporation.

Hilary Phelps replied to the user, “this was our first Christmas without my dad, who would buy them every year for the boys. This year, my brother bought them and carried on the tradition. Merry Christmas!” along with a sad and heart emoji. This is where we learn of her bittersweet feeling attached to this year’s Christmas. Her dad always brought her kids the toys, and his presence was always felt by every family member in the house during the holidays. Her nostalgic feeling is a hearkening back to those good times.

Read More | “Flashed His Lights and Blared His Siren”: Michael Phelps’ Dad Used His State Trooper Privileges to Save His Two-Year-Old Son’s Life

Some of the other comments in that post also focussed on the importance of family and how beautiful it must be to be around them during the holiday seasons. One such comment read, “This really fills my heart. Family is everything!” while another wrote, “Such a great feeling, ain’t it? Beautiful family! Merry Christmas”. Well, going by the love the Phelps family share, it is certain to say that family does mean everything to them.

Michael Phelps’ dad passed away and left a deep impact on his children

Hilary and Michael Phelps’s dad, Michael Fred Phelps died earlier this year in October. Phelps came out in public to pay a heartfelt tribute to his late father as well as put up an Instagram post that read, “You will always be my dad”, showing his love towards him. Hilary Phelps too shared a deeply heartfelt post the day after their dad passed away. She expressed her emotions by calling her dad her first love and her first anchor in this world.

Spending time with our family during Christmas is always a lovely way to celebrate and a fulfilling feeling. Hilary and Michael Phelps are just one of the many sporting families who do that. Do you know other sporting greats who always make it a point to celebrate holidays with family? Let us know in the comments.

Watch This Story | Paige Spirinac Hailed Olympic Legend Michael Phelps for His Courageous Act in 2018