'My heart is broken': Michael Flatley announces death of wife Niamh O'Brien, tell me about this news today
06-10-2026
Michael Flatley announced the devastating passing of his wife, Niamh O’Brien Flatley, expressing profound grief by sharing that his heart is broken.
Niamh O’Brien was an accomplished Irish dancer who first rose to prominence performing in shows such as Riverdance and later starring alongside Flatley in Lord of the Dance and Celtic Tiger. The couple married in October 2006 at St. Patrick’s Church in Fermoy, County Cork, and have a son together, Michael St. James Flatley, born in 2007.
In his statement, Flatley described her as the light of his life, his closest companion, and a devoted mother, asking for privacy for their family and loved ones as they mourn this immense loss. Tributes have poured in from across the Irish dancing community, theatrical colleagues, and fans worldwide, remembering her extraordinary grace on stage, her warmth off stage, and her lasting contribution to modern Irish dance culture.