Rob Burrow's Widow Lindsey Opens Up About Late Husband's Final Wish
The widow of rugby legend Rob Burrow has shared an emotional revelation about her late husband's final months, disclosing that he urged her to find love again after his death. Lindsey Burrow, now 42, has revealed in a heartfelt interview that despite Rob's encouragement, the prospect of dating again is "not on my agenda" more than a year after his passing.
A Love Story That Began In Childhood
Rob Burrow, the former Leeds Rhinos star who tragically died aged 41 in June 2024, had been married to Lindsey for nearly 18 years when he passed away at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, Yorkshire. The couple's relationship began as childhood sweethearts when they were both just 15 years old.
Lindsey has previously spoken about their deep connection, stating: "There was never going to be anyone else I was going to marry. I knew it from the start. He treated me like a princess. It was love at first sight. It can be a cliché, but it was true for me."
Final Messages Of Love And Encouragement
In his final months, Rob recorded special messages for Lindsey and their three children using specialist equipment. Despite being paralysed and unable to communicate verbally after his motor neurone disease diagnosis in December 2019, he maintained a positive outlook throughout his battle with the devastating condition.
Lindsey disclosed that in one of these recorded messages, Rob specifically encouraged her not to spend the rest of her life alone and urged her to find love again. She recalled how Rob would use his eyes and communication equipment to send her messages like "I love you, darling" or "Have a great day" when she was at work.
A Mother's Priority: Their Three Children
For Lindsey, who is now a single parent to their children Macy (14), Maya (10), and Jackson (7), thoughts of returning to the dating scene are distant. She explained: "People do say to me, 'I hope you move on,' but it's not about that. My priority is the children, first and foremost. I don't know what the future holds but [finding love again] is not on my agenda."
In her memoir Take Care, published last year, Lindsey detailed how the power of their love sustained them through the most challenging times. She wrote about the emotional impact of Rob's condition on their family, particularly how MND prevented him from being the father he wanted to be to their children.
Creating Lasting Memories
The Burrow family was determined to create special memories together during Rob's final months. Lindsey recalled poignant moments including their children painting Rob's fingers with rainbow-coloured ink to add his fingerprints to a memory book.
In another touching memory, Lindsey carried Rob - described as an avid film fan - from his downstairs room to their home cinema so he could watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with their children for what would be the last time. The children sat around his reclining chair on bean bags, sharing popcorn during the special family moment.
Royal Support And Lasting Legacy
The Burrow family received significant support from the Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince William providing the foreword to Lindsey's memoir. The royal wrote about being "struck by the incredible strength, positivity and incredible resilience of Lindsey" and noted that Rob had told him she was "far tougher than any of the men he has played with or against over the years."
Rob's fundraising efforts with former teammate Kevin Sinfield raised an incredible £16 million during his lifetime, increasing to £20 million after his death. This funded the construction of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds - the first purpose-built centre in the UK dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education and holistic support.
Prince William fulfilled a promise to Rob by officially opening the centre in November, having previously presented Rob with his CBE at Headingley Stadium alongside Kevin Sinfield in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the fight against motor neurone disease.
A Legacy Of Love And Resilience
Lindsey continues to honour Rob's memory while focusing on raising their three children. She revealed that not a day has passed since his death that she doesn't think or talk about the late sports star, who won eight Super League titles with Leeds Rhinos during his illustrious 17-season career.
The young widow's story stands as a testament to enduring love, resilience in the face of adversity, and the power of family bonds during life's most challenging chapters. As she navigates life without her childhood sweetheart, Lindsey's priority remains creating a stable, loving environment for their children while honouring the remarkable legacy left by her late husband.
