**Sir Chris Hoy’s Family Faces Health Challenges as Wife Sarra Keeps MS Diagnosis Hidden from Their Children**
Six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy and his wife, Sarra, made a public appearance in the royal box at Wimbledon’s men’s singles final, sitting alongside Nicole Kidman as Yannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz battled for supremacy on Centre Court. However, away from the limelight, the celebrated cyclist and his family are navigating a profoundly testing period marked by dual health crises.
In 2023, Sir Chris Hoy received a diagnosis that would profoundly alter the course of his life: aggressive prostate cancer that had metastasised to his bones. Sharing his devastating news with the public, the champion later revealed that his condition is terminal, with doctors giving him an estimated prognosis of two to four years. The athlete, now 49, has been open about his journey, balancing the management of his illness with family life and the emotional labour that comes with such grave realities.
Yet within months of Hoy’s diagnosis, another blow hit the family. Sarra, his wife, learned she was suffering from a particularly aggressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS)—a neurological condition for which there is currently no cure. Sarra’s response was not to share her diagnosis straightaway with Chris, choosing instead to keep it from both him and their two young children while she processed the news.
The couple’s children, Callum, 10, and Chloe, seven, are aware of their father’s illness but remain in the dark about the challenges faced by their mother. Speaking to The Times recently, Chris admitted that breaking the news to his children was among the most painful burdens he has faced, calling it “an absolute horror” and declaring it akin to living through a nightmare. For their mother, the decision not to disclose her MS to the children is equally deliberate; she is determined that the focus remains elsewhere and that her condition does not dominate their home life.
“She’s not one for sympathy; she rarely talks about her MS, and when the difficult days come, she keeps her struggle to herself,” Chris explained. He describes Sarra as stoic, choosing to work through her good and bad days without letting the illness define her or shape the atmosphere in the home. As per Chris’s account, the children are aware only that their mother has “sore hands sometimes”, but the true extent of her diagnosis is kept from them, at least for now.
Reflecting on the broader impact of their simultaneous illnesses, Chris expressed admiration for his wife’s quiet resilience and selflessness. In his autobiography, he recounts the moment Sarra finally revealed her diagnosis, more than a month after her initial MRI scan, noting how she had shielded him from the burden even as she supported him through his own medical appointments. “She is the epitome of selflessness,” he wrote, “putting the kids and me before herself and always doing it through love, not obligation.”
Despite the turmoil and uncertainty, Sir Chris has tried to maintain a sense of routine and positivity at home. He shares that, following his diagnosis, he resolved to cherish every moment with his children and wife, mindful of how important everyday normality can be amid such trials. “Family life just goes on,” he reflected. “For now, things feel almost as normal as before. I think we’re in a nice spot, which is remarkable considering what’s going on behind the scenes.”
The fortitude shown by both Chris and Sarra, as well as their commitment to shielding their children from the full weight of their circumstances, paints a picture of a family navigating unimaginable adversity in private, while managing public scrutiny and support. Their story, filled with heartbreak yet underpinned by resilience and compassion, serves as a poignant reminder of the hidden struggles that can lie behind even the most celebrated public faces.
As the family continue to face the uncertain path ahead, their approach embodies both courage and discretion. With Sarra’s diagnosis remaining her closely-guarded secret and Chris focusing on his treatment and family time, the Hoy family show a resolve that moves far beyond the world of competitive sport.
Public reaction to the Hoys’ dual battles has been marked by an outpouring of sympathy and admiration for their grace under pressure. Observers continue to follow their journey, wishing them the very best as they navigate the challenges that lie ahead.