“Me Wearing a Speedo”: Michael Phelps’ Grandmother Who Was Battling Cancer, Found Pride in Showing Him Off in Last Stages of Her Battle

Veteran Olympian and swimmer Michael Phelps played many roles in his life. He was the best in his sport and won 28 Olympic medals. Added to that was him being an amazing dad. In short, he’s had a very fulfilling personal and professional life. But, he is human and has seen some hardships in his days too; hardships and trials that he’s recorded well in his autobiography.

In his book, “Beneath the Surface,” Phelps opened up about his early life and his parents and grandparents. The book was originally published in 2004 and goes in-depth about his family and their sacrifices to help him reach this position. He belonged to a middle-class family, and his father was a state trooper. But, in the book Michael also talked about his grandmother, who was suffering from cancer, and what their relationship was like in her last days.

Michael Phelps remembers how his grandmother took pride in him

Phelps’ grandmother got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during Phelps’ competitive years; a cause that ultimately took her life. But, in his memoir, Phelps described her as a charming and supportive individual who loved him to bits. She would also show him off to all her friends, just like a proud grandmother.

Phelps reminisced in his book that after his granny’s diagnosis, she had six months of life at most. Phelps also wrote how she’d come to see him in action at most of the events. He fondly remembered, “She was very sharp, but she often used her age to her advantage, because she would always say whatever she wanted as if she couldn’t be held responsible for her words.”

Phelps also spoke about how his grandmother showed off Phelps and his talent to her co-patients at the nursing center where she was admitted.

READ MORE: “Oh My God! I Touched Him”: Michael Phelps Was Already a Celebrity in School Even Before He Won His First Olympic Gold

His grandmother would keep his presence close by keeping posters of him. Michael wrote, ” she would show off the full-sized poster of me wearing a Speedo on the pool deck,” as he walked down memory lane. He even promised that he’d win a medal and set a record just for her!

Phelps’ incredible professional trajectory

It does take a lot to be officially regarded as the greatest swimmer world has ever seen. And, for Phelps, his incredible career is evidence he has the right to be called so.

Phelps began swimming to primarily help him with all the piled-up energy he had as a young kid, but it became so much more! He first started the competition at the Olympic games in 2000 at age of 15. But, it was not until 2004 that his golden graph took off.

Michael won 28 medals before hanging up his gear in 2016. And, currently, he is a happy family man who speaks about mental health and is overall a public figure and a celebrity. He currently is employed with an organization that speaks about eating disorders.

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What are your views on the beautiful bond this granny-grandson duo shared?