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'My heart is broken': Riverdance star Michael Flatley loses wife Niamh O'Brien, 52, days before their 20th anniversary

From the Newshound archive · first published 5 October 2026 · last updated 7 October 2026.

Niamh O'Brien and Michael Flatley. She died aged 52 at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin on Monday, just hours before she was due to be flown to the United States for specialist treatment.
Niamh O'Brien and Michael Flatley. She died aged 52 at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin on Monday, just hours before she was due to be flown to the United States for specialist treatment.

Niamh O'Brien, a former lead dancer in 'Lord of the Dance' who married its creator Michael Flatley after an instant backstage attraction, died peacefully at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin following a lung illness. She had been just days away from her 20th wedding anniversary with Flatley, 68, who was hours from flying her to the US for specialist treatment when she passed. Flatley shared a heartbreaking Instagram tribute calling her his 'beautiful wife', 'best friend' and 'most loving mother'. The couple leave behind their 19-year-old son, Michael St James.

Niamh had nursed Flatley through his cancer diagnosis, which he received over the phone around Christmas 2022 — he said her hug made 'everything seem a little better'.

The pair met through the Irish dance world over a decade before romance sparked at a Christmas party in 2005, marrying just four months after getting together.

Their last public photograph together showed Niamh meeting the Pope months before her death.

MoreBBC NewsNiamh O'Brien: Dancer and wife of Michael Flatley dies, aged 52Daily MailMichael Flatley's 20-year love story with 'soulmate' wife Niamh who stuck by him through his wild partying days and brutal cancer battle - as she passes away aged 52Daily MailMy heart is broken, says Riverdance star as wife dies aged just 52Daily MailMichael Flatley announces the death of his 'beautiful wife' NiamhLBC'My heart is broken': Riverdance star Michael Flatley announces death of wife Niamh O'BrienMetroRiverdance star Michael Flatley heartbroken at death of wife Niamh O'Brien agedThe Sun'My heart is broken’ - Michael Flatley announces death of wife Niamh, 52, as star pays tribute to 'most loving mother'The SunTragic last pic of Michael Flatley's wife Niamh meeting Pope months before death at 52 as heartbroken star pays tributeThe IndependentRiverdance star Michael Flatley says his ‘heart is broken’ in moving tribute to wife NiamhEvening StandardNiamh O'Brien, wife of Michael Flatley, dies at 52 as he shares 'heartbreak'HuffPost UK'Heartbroken' Michael Flatley Announces His Wife Niamh O'Brien Has Died, Aged 52Irish TimesNiamh O’Brien: tributes paid to ‘beautiful Irish dancer, performer, wife, mother and much-loved member of Irish dance community’
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