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Vinnie Jones Lost His Wife Tanya Terry to Cancer – Inside the Football Star’s Personal Life
Vinnie Jones is a British actor and a professional footballer. He was born on January 5, 1965, in Watford, Hertfordshire, England.Jones initially…
Vinnie Jones is a British actor and a professional footballer. He was born on January 5, 1965, in Watford, Hertfordshire, England.
Jones initially rose to prominence as a professional footballer at age 21 and later transitioned his way into acting. He played as a defensive midfielder for teams including Wealdstone, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Chelsea, and Queens Park Rangers.
He also played over 200 games at Wimbledon from 1986 to 1998. His aggressive demeanor on the pitch earned him a reputation as one of the toughest players of his generation.
Vinnie Jones (Source: Chelsea Football Club)
Following his retirement from football, Jones ventured into acting, making his debut in Guy Ritchie’s crime film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in the year 1998, followed by Snatch in 2000. His tough guy persona with his signature grit and intensity garnered a lot of attention, leading to roles in notably successful films such as Gone in 60 Seconds, Mean Machine, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Riddle, MacGyver, and NCIS: Los Angeles.
Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut in ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ (Source: Fox)
Beyond his football and film career, Jones has appeared in various reality TV shows like Celebrity Big Brother Season 7 and the third season of The Masked Singer. His transition from the football pitch to the silver screen exemplifies his versatility and appeal across different domains of entertainment.
Vinnie Jones’ wife Tanya Terry died from cancer
As per the reports, Jones met his wife Tanya Terry when they were both 12 years old. The two apparently grew up as next-door neighbors and tied the knot in 1994. The English former professional footballer turned actor, and Tanya Terry, his wife, have a story that intertwines both personal and professional aspects of their lives.
Tragedy struck the couple in 2013 when both Jones and Terry revealed that they were diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Terry was diagnosed earlier than Jones was. Jones publicly expressed his support for his wife, highlighting the importance of early detection and raising awareness about the disease.
Tanya had also undergone an emergency heart transplant in 1987 and fought off cervical cancer twice.
While both Jones and Terry were given clear melanoma after two years, Terry’s condition went downhill, and her cancer had spread to her brain by 2018.
Throughout Terry’s battle with cancer, Jones remained by her side, demonstrating the strength of their relationship during challenging times.
After her long battle with cancer, Tanya passed away at her home in Los Angeles on July 6, 2019, at the age of 53.
“At 8:46 am local time in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 6, Vinnie Jones’s wife, Tanya Jones, passed away after a long illness,” a representative for Jones told The Independent in a statement. “Tanya passed peacefully at the Jones family home surrounded by Vinnie, their daughter and other family members.”
In September 2020, Vinnie shared the final card he had received from Tanya before her death, referring to the experience as ‘overwhelming.’
The front of the card reportedly said, “Always believe something wonderful is about to happen.”
The inside of the card said, “To my love Vin, Something wonderful happens to me every day… Being with you! You are my morning sunshine the moment I wake.”
Speaking of his late wife, Jones told Piers Morgan, “Yeah, I’d let her down so many times, but she’d catch me. And it was so much, many times, I said to her once, ‘It was like catching a falling star.’ She never once, Piers, would not put her arms out and catch me, every time.”
In an interview with Good Morning Today, Jones said, “’She said don’t grieve, I’ll be waiting for you. So I’ve got something to look forward to.”
Following his wife’s death, Jones also released a book titled Lost Without You: Loving and Losing Tanya which he wrote in honor of his wife.
Vinnie Jones and Tanya Terry’s story serves as a testament to love, commitment, and perseverance in the face of adversity, showcasing a partnership that transcends the spotlight of the entertainment industry.
Vinnie Jones and Tanya Terry have a son and a daughter each
Despite being together for a long time, the couple didn’t have children with each other. However, both Jones and Terry have a child with their former partners.
Tanya has a daughter, Kaley Jay Terry, from her first husband Steve Terry. Steve is also a footballer who played for Watford. They had gotten married when Tanya was 19 years old.
Tanya with Vinnie, her daughter Kaley and his son Aaron (Source: Firm Foundation)
After Terry and Jones got married, the former footballer adopted Kaley.
Vinnie, too, has a son with his former girlfriend Mylene Elliston. His name is Aaron Elliston-Jones, and he was born in 1991.
Vinnie Jones has a criminal charge to his name
In June 1998, Jones was convicted of assault, occasioning actual bodily harm, and criminal damage against a neighbor. The football star reportedly punched, kicked, and bit one Mr. Gear following a conflict over erecting a stile edge on the land.
Jones had initially denied the charges against him.
After the court found him guilty of the offense, Jones was given 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay £400 compensation to Mr. Gear for the assault. He was also fined £300 for the criminal damage and was ordered to pay £65 compensation.