Nick Faldo - Biography | HELLO!

Early life

Born 18 July 1957 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, Sir Nicholas Alexander Faldo was the only child of his parents, Joyce and George Faldo. At the age of 14, Nick suddenly developed an interest in golf while watching the 1971 Maters on his parents new colour TV. Hooked, he began playing, and only four years later became the reigning English Amateur and British Youth Open Amateur champion.

Golfing success

Following his passion into adulthood, Nick earned himself a golf scholarship at the University of Houston, however he soon left to pursue the sport full-time instead. He became the youngest person to ever compete in the Ryder Cup in 1977 when he was aged 20, and his entry to the European Tour was considered a definite success.

He struggled a little in the mid 80s, but successfully improved again with the help of tutor David Leadbetter, and won the British Open in 1987, 1990 and 1992. He also donned the coveted green jacket awarded to the winner of the prestigious US Masters Championship in 1989, 1990 and 1996. 

Nick retired from golf in around 2001. He became a commentator on ABC Sports in 2004, and worked there until 2006. That year, he moved to work with CBS. He retired from commentating in August 2022.

Personal life

In 1979, Nick married his first wife, Melanie Rockall. They split five years later after it was revealed he'd been having an affair with his manager's secretary, Gill Bennett. He married her in 1986 and soon after they welcomed children: Natalie, Matthew and Georgia. 

They divorced in 1995 as Nick had another affair, this time with 20-year-old student Brenna Capelak. This relationship came to an end in 1998 after the golfer met Valerie Bercher. They married in 2001 and had a child, Emma, in 2003, however they divorced in 2006. Nick married his fourth wife, Lindsay De Marco in December 2020, and the pair shared the wedding exclusively with HELLO!

Nick was awarded an MBE in 1989, and knighted in 2009. He received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 1989 and is also a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

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