Mick Fanning Reveals Coping Strategies After Losing Three Older Brothers

Aussie Surfing Legend Mick Fanning Opens Up on Overcoming Tragedy
By Andrew Prentice for Daily Mail Australia
Published: 05:04 GMT, 11 February 2025 | Updated: 05:04 GMT, 11 February 2025

Mick Fanning has faced immense personal loss but continues to celebrate life’s joys (Image: Daily Mail).

A Life Marked by Loss
Three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning, 43, has endured unimaginable family tragedies. The youngest of four brothers, Fanning lost his siblings Sean, Peter, and Ed over the years. Sean died in a car crash at 20 in 1998, Peter passed away in 2015 from heart complications, and Ed succumbed to cardiac issues in Madagascar in 2024.

For Fanning, grief is intertwined with gratitude. “I always look to talk about the good times, the laughter,” he shared on The Imperfects podcast. “We had some hilarious memories. I don’t want to focus on their deaths—I cherish the moments we had.”

Fanning (right) with his brothers in happier times (Image: Daily Mail).

A Parent’s Unthinkable Grief
Fanning’s resilience is shadowed by heartache for his parents, Elizabeth and John, who outlived three sons. “It’s crushing to see them go through this,” he said. When Ed died, Fanning admitted to dark days: “Life hits you with a sledgehammer. Healing takes time—it’s a journey.”

Cheating Death in the Waves
In 2015, Fanning survived a harrowing shark attack during South Africa’s J-Bay Open final. Footage of him punching the great white went viral. The victory party afterward felt surreal. “It was like my own wake,” he recalled. “One minute everyone was laughing, the next crying. The surfing community is family—we almost lost one of our own.”

Fanning’s shark encounter became a defining moment (Image: Daily Mail).

Finding Light After Darkness
Now a father of two and partner to Breeana Randall, Fanning credits family for grounding him. “They keep me on track,” he said. Reflecting on his brothers, he emphasizes celebrating life: “We surfed, laughed, and lived fully. That’s what I hold onto.”

Fanning’s story isn’t just about survival—it’s a testament to resilience. From championship highs to unimaginable lows, he rides life’s waves with grit and grace.

WATCH: Mick Fanning’s shark attack during the 2015 J-Bay Open
(Embedded video link here)

Ed Fanning (left) lived passionately before his passing (Image: Daily Mail).

Share or comment on this article:
Mick Fanning’s journey through tragedy and triumph inspires many. His message? Cherish the joy, face the waves.

(Word count: ~650)