While Stuart Broad's cricketing achievements have cemented his status as an English sporting icon, his personal life has been marked by significant challenges and emotional turmoil that few fans see beyond the boundary rope.
The On-Again, Off-Again Romance with Mollie King
Broad's relationship with The Saturdays singer Mollie King has captivated public attention for over a decade, though their journey to becoming engaged parents of two wasn't without its complications. The couple first began dating in 2012, but their initial romance lasted less than a year before ending.
In his 2023 autobiography Broadly Speaking, the cricketer revealed how their demanding careers created insurmountable obstacles. "Typical of young professionals, we were all over the place," Broad wrote, describing how he flew to India for one-day matches then to New Zealand while King filmed in Los Angeles.
The pair rekindled their relationship in 2019, with a make-or-break trip to Paris proving decisive in rebuilding their connection. Two years later, Broad proposed, and King shared the happy news on Instagram with the caption: "A thousand times yes! I still can't believe it, the most magical start to the new year!"
The couple now have two daughters: Annabelle, born in 2022, and Liliana, who arrived in January 2025.
Family Tragedy and Heartbreak
In 2010, Broad's family endured devastating tragedy when his stepmother, Miche, took her own life after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. The condition damages the nervous system, and Miche chose to end her life on her own terms rather than face prolonged suffering.
Stuart recalled how the family had gathered for a barbecue the day before her death, noting how "happy and peaceful" she appeared. Tragically, this gathering was her way of saying goodbye to loved ones before she consumed a lethal combination of Diazepam and Tramadol.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Broad said: "It was a huge shock to discover that the real reason she seemed at peace was that she was about to take her own life. But I am comforted by the fact that she died on her terms because she didn't want to suffer any longer."
Business Ventures Beyond Cricket
Broad has also ventured into the hospitality industry, co-founding The Cat and Wickets Pub company with fellow cricketer Harry Gurney in 2016. The business owns several establishments in the East Midlands, including The Griffin Inn in Swithland, Leicestershire and The Long Hop in Burton upon Trent.
Their venture faced significant setback in 2022 when The Tap and Run in Upper Broughton, Nottinghamshire burned down due to an electrical fire. Fortunately, the blaze occurred overnight and no injuries were reported, though the building was reduced to its shell.
The pub underwent a £1.3 million reconstruction and reopened a year later, with the owners humorously referring to its revival as the establishment's "second innings."
Through personal and professional challenges, Stuart Broad has demonstrated the same resilience that characterised his remarkable cricket career, facing life's difficulties with the same determination that made him one of England's most formidable bowlers.
