Michael Phelps announced on Instagram on Monday, October 24, that his dad, Fred, had died. The Olympic legend posted a tribute to his father on social media alongside three throwback pictures featuring his dad.
The 23-time Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer wrote, "you will always be my dad" and "I will always be your son." He concluded his message by saying, "Love you, dad," and that he will miss him. He then posted two heart emojis before writing "rip dad."
The first picture featured a young Michael standing with his father, wearing his Maryland State Trooper uniform with a swimming pool in the background. Fred played football in high school and college before trying out for the National Football League (NFL). He later worked as a Maryland State Trooper.
Michael shares pictures of Fred bonding with his grandkids
The next photo showed Michael holding a baby - likely Boomer Robert, Maverick Nicolas, Beckett Richard, or the three children he shares with his wife Nicole Johnson - while his dad Fred watches with a smile. And the third picture is Fred holding a baby, again likely one of Michael's children, with both having big smiles on their faces.
It has not always been an easy road for the dad and his famous son. Michael's parents divorced back when he was nine years old, according to a 2016 Sports Illustrated article. The two drifted apart over the next decade following the divorce.
The pair reconnected after Michael's drunk driving arrest in 2014 and his subsequent trip to rehab. Michael said in an interview that their relationship is great and continuing to grow. He added they have learned that they have a lot in common.
Several of the champion swimmer's famous friends posted their condolences. Lindsey Vonn posted that she is so sorry for his loss and that he will always be there. Former NBA player Chandler Parsons told Michael that he was thinking of him. Parsons referred to Michael as his brother.
Michael cherishes family time with his wife and children
Michael spoke to PEOPLE Magazine last year about the importance of family time. He said that as a kid, he always wanted to have dinner as a family but with his parents separated, that did not happen often. He loves how they have dinner together every night at the same time.
Michael is arguably the greatest Olympian ever, bagging 28 medals in his illustrious swimming career. He reached the top of the podium in the quadrennial games a whopping 23 times, more than double the count of his nearest rivals.
Apart from fellow American swimmers Mark Spitz, Matt Biondi, and Jenny Thompson, no other swimmer worldwide has nabbed more than six gold medals, making his record haul even more astonishing.
