It seems strange, in the age of exhibitionism, to talk about a private person who has always chosen to stay away from the spotlight. It’s about Catherine White Cooperthe wife of Gianluca Vialli, who died today, January 6, after battling pancreatic cancer discovered 5 years ago. The two had met when he was playing at Chelsea (1996-1998, later manager of the same). In 2003 they got married and then, from their love, they were born two daughters: Sofia and Olivia.
“There is always the doubt whether it is right to tell him and create anxiety”, Vialli had told Alessandro Cattelan speaking of his daughters and the difficulty of giving them such dramatic news as that of the discovery of cancer. Then he explained: “We talked, together with my wife, with people who have more experience. We were told that if you tell lies, you don’t protect them. When they find out, because it’s going to happen, they’ll think you don’t trust them. And if you don’t trust them, how will they ever trust themselves? Of course, you have to put it in the least traumatic way possible, but you have to be clear: ‘The father has cancer, he has many chances of being well but he will have to manage a difficult period of treatment. We decided to deal with it like this and after a month we told him”.
“We decided to deal with it like this”. The plural for also talk about the disease. This would be enough to understand the great bond between Gianluca and Cathryn. Strong and indissoluble despite coming from distant parts of the world. He is from Cremona, the fifth and last child of a family of Trentino origins, from a very young age dedicated to sport and in particular to football. She, on the other hand, is a former model and now an interior designer, of South African origin.
Speaking of the disease, in an interview with the Times, the ex of Juventus and Sampdoria had said: “My daughters helped me by drawing my eyebrows and I asked my wife for advice on the tricks to use. We laughed, you need to laugh, you need to find the funny side, but there were days where I locked myself in the bathroom so they wouldn’t see me cry”. And again, in the third episode of the miniseries with Cattelan, Vialli had added: “I think it’s a privilege to know that there is a deadline. This allows you time to do all the things… if you say ‘goodnight’ and then die during the night, they remain unfinished. Today I know that I have a duty to behave in a certain way towards my daughters, my wife because I don’t know how long I will live. This gives you an opportunity to sort things out.” The whole family stays well away from the gossip. Neither on official profile di Vialli – 363,000 followers – there are photo family’s. Only one, rather dated, but in which Gianluca was with his family of origin. A shot that is not even in color and with the caption that reads: “I’m the baby”.
After the disappearance, the family released a moved note: “With immeasurable sadness we announce the passing of Gianluca Vialli. Surrounded by his family, he passed away last night after five years of illness faced with courage and dignity. We thank the many who have supported him over the years with their affection. The memory of him and his example will live forever in our hearts ”.
