After a long battle with dementia, an icon of England and Manchester United dies in the company of family, leaving only Sir Geoff Hurst living from the 1966 World Cup-winning team of heroes.
Sir Bobby played 758 times for United and was given 106 England caps.
After a struggle with dementia, Sir Bobby Charlton, a legend for England and Manchester United, passed away at the age of 86.
Sir Bobby, who made 758 appearances for his club and 106 caps for his home nation, died peacefully this morning while being surrounded by his family.
His wife Lady Norma, their two daughters Suzanne and Andrea, and their grandkids all survive him.
The talented footballer, who was born on October 11, 1937, in Ashington, Northumberland, is regarded as one of the all-time greats of the game and was a member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team.
Since his passing, Sir Geoff Hurst is the last surviving member of the team. Hurst is most known for his hat-trick in England’s 4-2 triumph over West Germany at Wembley. In December, 83-year-old former England right-back George Cohen passed away.
According to a statement from Sir Bobby’s family:
‘It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family.
‘His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him. We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.’
Manchester United said they were mourning ‘one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.
Since receiving a dementia diagnosis in November 2020—just four months after his older brother Jack Charlton, another hero from the year 1966—died at the age of 85—Sir Bobby has disappeared from the public eye. He was one of the five English 1966 champions—along with his brother, Nobby Stiles, Ray Wilson, and Martin Peters—to experience the crippling illness.
After surviving the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, when he was 20 years old and eight of United’s Busby Babes sadly perished along with 23 other people, Charlton went on to have an outstanding career.
In a statement, Manchester United also paid tribute to one of their best and most cherished players in club history, Sir Bobby Charlton, saying: “Manchester United are in sadness following his demise.
In a spectacular 17-year career with United, he won three league championships, the FA Cup, and captained the Red Devils as they became the first English club to win the European Cup. He played every game as if it were for his fallen teammates.
Sir Bobby’s heartbroken family said: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family.
‘His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him.
‘We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.’
Man United also paid tribute in a statement saying: ‘Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.
‘Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.
‘He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.
‘A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup.
‘Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years. His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
‘The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.’
Sir Alex Ferguson once praised Sir Bobby for how he ‘handled the greatness’. In a tribute on his 80th birthday, the former United manager said: ‘Success can change people, and it’s never changed Bobby Charlton. He is what he is: quiet, shy and I think it’s fantastic.
‘An example for anyone who enters football. He has never forgotten his roots. That girl Norma has been his rock, all his life. She’s an unbelievable person and that is a great partnership.
‘I think he was responsible for me getting the job at Manchester United. We used to go to games all the time — although I don’t think Bobby enjoyed my driving! — so it was a great introduction.’
He added: ‘He was an idol of mine, to be in the same dressing room as him was a wonderful pleasure.
‘You travel all over the world, to parts where nobody can speak English, and there’s only thing they can say: ‘Bobby Charlton.”
United also paid tribute in a statement saying: ‘Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.
‘Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.
‘He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.
‘A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup.
‘Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years. His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.
‘The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.’
