'Alex saved my life...
but I couldn't save his': Olympic medallist Victoria Pendelton reveals her devastation that she couldn't save her twin brother and admits she only feels like half a person Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected] By Poppy Atkinson Gibson Published: 21:48 BST, 22 July 2024 | Updated: 21:49 BST, 22 July 2024 e-mail View comments Olympic medallist Victoria Pendelton has revealed that in 2019 her twin brother Alex saved her life but admitted she wishes that she could've save his. The jockey and former cyclist, 43, revealed that her brother had died from a brain tumour in 2023 after battling leukaemia as a child.
Victoria told The Guardian that following her brother's death she had been left feeling empty and wishes she could've returned the favour. She said her brother had been very supportive and had helped her through her severe depression , stopping her from taking her own life. She said that following an aborted Mount Everest climb and a messy divorce from her sports scientist husband Scott Gardner, she no longer had the will to live but her brother was by her side.
Olympic medallist Victoria Pendelton has revealed that in 2019 her twin brother Alex saved her life but admitted she wishes that she could've save his Victoria's brother was very supportive and had helped her through her severe depression, stopping her from taking her own life in 2019 The Olympian took part in the Don't Look Down Stand Up To Cancer Special and revealed her tattoo tribute - a drawing of an anatomical heart with Alex's name written across on a banner She said: 'On one of my darkest days he just drove to my house uninvited. He could hear I was really down and he just turned up. And .
.. yeah .
.. he was very good in times of need.
' The athlete said she still struggles with life without him, revealing that she when she sees sets of twins walks down the street she feels an immense sense of joy. She said: 'When I see twins I feel a sense of joy, like, you’re so lucky. You’ve got someone there with you all the time.
Nothing is too scary. Like the first day at school – you’ve got someone there.' She added that she feel a part of her is missing, describing it as feeling like half of herself.
The athlete also told the newspaper that she had always experienced depression and in 2018 she reached a new low. Following the breakdown of her marriage and a failed attempt to reach the peak of Mount Everest, she said she began experiencing severe panic attacks. She added that she was often unable to get out of bed and would stare at the wall feeling numb.
In 2019 she contemplated taking her own life but was stopped by her brother who offered an emotional lifeline by arriving on her doorstep with nothing but love and support. The athlete said she still struggles with life without him, revealing that she when she sees sets of twins walks down the street she feels an immense sense of joy (Alex and Victoria pictured) Paying tribute to her sibling in a heartfelt post following his death last year, the Olympian said he would be 'painfully missed by many' After leaving cycling, the breakdown of her marriage and a failed attempt to reach the peak of Mount Everest, Victoria said she began experiencing severe panic attacks and depression In a touching tribute to her beloved brother the Olympian got a permanent inking last year . The tattoo is placed in the centre of Victoria's chest, so it's always near her heart, and shows a delicate drawing of an anatomical heart with Alex's name written across on a banner.
Read More Victoria Pendleton in tears as she shows her tribute tattoo for her late twin brother on Stand Up To Cancer Her brother, who died aged 42, has inspired the athlete to take on new challenges including charity tightrope walk, Don't Look Down Stand Up To Cancer Special . Victoria also took part in gruelling reality show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and revealed she signed up after being inspired by how her brother battled the disease . Speaking about her charity fundraising in October last year, Victoria said: 'There's nothing I wouldn't do to raise funds for research to help people and other sufferers not end up in such a sad situation.
' Coming close to tears she continued: 'I lost my twin brother and yeah...
it's close to my heart right now.' Despite her struggles, Victoria feels she has got her life back on track and is now focusing on her horses, her the public speaking engagements and the management of her property portfolio. She says that she knows her brother Alex is irreplaceable but is learning to navigate life without him.
Victoria's twin Alex died in June last year after battling an 'aggressive' brain tumour following a childhood battle with leukaemia (the pair pictured together) Victoria's twin died in June last year after battling an 'aggressive' brain tumour. Graphic designer Alex was diagnosed with leukaemia as a child and after more than three decades in remission his cancer tragically returned. Paying tribute to her sibling in an Instagram post at the time, Victoria said that Alex would be 'painfully missed by many'.
Posting a picture with her twin, she penned: 'Alex Pendleton 24.09.80 - 22.
06.23. 'If you know me then you likely know my twin brother Alex , I just wanted to let you know that this morning Alex sadly passed away after an epic battle against an aggressive brain tumour.
' She continued: 'He will be painfully missed by many. Rest in peace my kind, brave twinnie, you will forever be in our hearts ❤️ #twinner #betterhalfofme #heartbroken #missyou #wewillneverforgetyou.' Share or comment on this article: 'Alex saved my life.
.. but I couldn't save his': Olympic medallist Victoria Pendelton reveals her devastation that she couldn't save her twin brother and admits she only feels like half a person e-mail Add comment.
