Inside Denis Law’s heartbreaking dementia health battle that left Man Utd icon leaning on his ‘strong’ wife before his death aged 84
Manchester United icon Denis Law’s death at the age of 84 was confirmed on Friday, leading to tributes pouring in from the football community and beyond.
Many of the tributes focused on his goalscoring exploits for United – and with good reason. Law netted 237 goals in 404 games for the Red Devils, and is still the club’s third-highest goalscorer of all-time behind Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton.
But Law also had to come through adversity in his life, particularly after he revealed in August 2021 that he had been diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Unsurprisingly, Law tackled the challenge with the same courage he showed on the football pitch. But the degenerative brain disease did take its toll on Law, and in March 2023, he bravely opened up about how his wife, Diana, had come to his aid when he needed her most.
Having partnered with dementia as part of an Alzheimer’s Society campaign, Denis and Diana released a joint testimony that read: ‘When you get married, you never imagine that decades after making those vows of “in sickness and in health” that you will end up testing them to the limits with dementia.
‘We tackle everything together. But living with dementia means Diana has to take responsibility a bit more now although we still come as a team of course. It’s a change for both of us.
Denis Law leaned on his wife Diana (left) for strength in his final years after being diagnosed with dementia
Denis and Diana were married for over 60 years after tying the knot in December 1962
Diana admitted Denis could not recall his past achievements as dementia took its toll on her husband
‘It goes to show that dementia can affect anyone, no matter who you are.
‘I’m extremely lucky to have enjoyed such an amazing career in football. Not many people have had the experiences I have had – including winning the World Cup! I have been shown such love from the public.’
Denis and Diana tied the knot in December 1962 – the same year he joined United – and went on to have five children together.
Six decades after their wedding, Diana was still by Denis’s side to give him the care he required as he went through his heartbreaking battle.
But Denis did not sit around feeling sorry for himself. He had seen his former team-mate Nobby Stiles pass away after a battle with dementia in 2020, while another United legend Charlton also passed away in 2023 following his own dementia diagnosis.
Denis was up front about the difficulties ahead as soon as he was diagnosed with the disease.
‘This will not be an easy journey especially for the people who love you the most,’ he said. ‘I know the road ahead will be hard, demanding, painful and ever changing and so ask for understanding and patience.
‘I recognise how my brain is deteriorating and how my memory evades me when I don’t want it to and how this causes me distress in situations that are beyond my control.
‘I do understand what is happening and that is why I want to address my situation now whilst I am able, because I know there will be days when I don’t understand and I hate the thought of that right now.’
Diana confirmed Denis’s worst fears in 2023 when she revealed that he could not remember his past achievements anymore.
Denis and Diana had five children together, and the former Man United star showed great courage in his final years following his diagnosis
Diana was always by her husband’s side when he needed her most as they raised awareness for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
The sad reality of Denis’s final few years were laid bare, but he more than made up for it in his glittering playing career.
By helping United to their first European Cup, and also winning two league titles under Sir Matt Busby, Denis played a significant part in putting the club on the map.
Add in the fact that he is still the only Scot to win the Ballon d’Or, and it is clear why he is adored by fans across the world.
He was the final remaining member of the United Trinity – that also included Charlton and George Best.
But his legacy will live on, with a statue erected outside Old Trafford of the trio acting as a reminder of exactly what Denis achieved before his battle with dementia.
