Former England cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss is preparing to marry his fiancée, Antonia Linnaeus-Peat, in a private ceremony in South Africa next month, an event that marks a new chapter seven years after the tragic death of his first wife, Ruth, from lung cancer.
A New Beginning Amidst Personal Loss
The wedding is scheduled for December 17, a date that will see the 48-year-old former sportsman absent from the start of the highly anticipated Ashes series in Australia. Strauss revealed on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast that the occasion will be an intimate one, with only close family in attendance.
The couple, who have an 18-year age gap, first made a public appearance together two years ago and were subsequently seen in the Royal Box at this summer's Wimbledon Championships. The bride-to-be, 30-year-old Antonia Linnaeus-Peat, is a company director of Linnaeus Fine Art Advisory Limited and previously worked as a PR executive.
Honouring a Legacy: The Ruth Strauss Foundation
This marriage comes seven years after the passing of Strauss's first wife, Ruth, who died in December 2018 at the age of 46 following a battle with a rare form of lung cancer. The couple had been married for 15 years and are parents to two sons, Samuel, 19, and Luca, 17.
In the wake of his profound loss, Strauss established the Ruth Strauss Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting families facing the death of a parent and funding research into non-smoking lung cancers. The foundation's work is widely recognised through the 'Red for Ruth' campaign, a prominent feature at England Test matches where players, coaches, and fans wear red to raise awareness and funds.
A Changed Perspective on Life and Grief
In a poignant 2023 interview with The Telegraph, Strauss spoke candidly about how Ruth's death reshaped his outlook. "Our time is limited, and therefore I need to be more conscious about what I do and don't do," he reflected. He emphasised the importance of prioritising happiness and the well-being of those closest to him.
He also addressed the societal discomfort surrounding grief, stating, "It's still far too much of a taboo. Many people feel very uncomfortable, not knowing what to say to those who are going through it." He advocates for more open conversations, noting, "Grief still feels very beneath the surface to me. And that has to change, because otherwise there will be people devoid of support or knowledge."
Sir Andrew Strauss, who received a knighthood for his services to cricket and charity, continues to honour his late wife's memory while embracing this new journey with his partner, Antonia.
