Michael Phelps' wife reveals fear of losing swimming legend to depression battle

Michael Phelps and his wife Nicole have opened up about his mental health battle. Photos / Instagram

The wife of the most decorated Olympian of all time is afraid she might lose him to depression.

Michael Phelps' wife Nicole has opened up about her fears, as she witnesses her husband's arduous battle against mental illness.

The former swimmer, now 35, has been openly talking about his mental health struggles and the impact the illness has on his family, including the couple's three children.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00)

His wife Nicole has said that the death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant last year led her to worry even more about her gold-medallist husband.

"After Vanessa [Bryant] lost Kobe, all I could do was look at Michael and be like, 'Can we please help you? Because if I lose you, I don't know what I'm gonna do'," Nicole said, in an interview with Today.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00)

"Michael is the most amazing father and partner I could have ever asked for," she added.

The couple, who wed in 2016, have three children together: Boomer, 4, Beckett, 2, and Maverick, 16 months.

"Nicole loves me and wants to help. She wants me to get better," Phelps said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nicole Michele Phelps (@mrs.nicolephelps)

"But she's struggling herself. She needs that support as well. I know it's hard for her."

The former professional swimmer has spoken candidly about the tough mental battles he's faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, including "some scary ups and downs", and the impact they've had on his family life.

"The boys want to be near Michael when he's having a rough day. They want to try and make him happy — especially Boomer, because he's the oldest," his wife explained.

"So we'll say, 'Hey Booms, Daddy's having a hard time and just needs to take a moment to be alone'. We want Boomer to understand it's not about him, it's about Michael."

To help her cope, she has also begun seeing a therapist.

"It's helping me with everything. It's support for me. But more than anything, therapy provides me with the tools to be able to help Michael properly," she said.

"We've definitely grown together through this and learned a lot. It's not easy, but I'm married to the most incredible human being."

She says she used to believe she could "fix him" but has now realised that is not up to her.

"I used to think, 'Oh, I can fix him. I can be his therapist. I can be what he needs'," she said.

"But what I've learned is that you can't take ownership for how they're feeling, no matter how badly you want to."

Where to get help:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• CASPER Suicide Prevention

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.