Rio Ferdinand's wife Rebecca dies after breast cancer battle

 

Rebecca and Rio Ferdinand

The wife of former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has died after a brief battle with breast cancer.
Rebecca Ellison, 34, passed away on Friday night the Reds legend revealed in a statement issued this
morning by current club QPR.
Mr Ferdinand and Rebecca have three children; Lorenz, who was born in Manchester in 2006, Tate who was born in 2008 and a daughter named Tia, born in 2011.
The statement said: "My soul mate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

  "She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.

"Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.

Martin Rickett/PA Wire

Rio Ferdinand with wife Rebecca Ellison at the Manchester United Player of the Year Awards at Old Trafford in 2013

"I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden.
"Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca's all-too-short life will not be forgotten.
"Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately."