The widow of late English soccer player Joe Thompson shared that she is pregnant with his baby via in vitro fertilization one year after his death.
In an interview with the BBC published on Wednesday, May 6, Chantelle Thompson shared that she is expecting a baby boy, which had been a “pick up for the whole family.” Chantelle and Joe, who shared two daughters, had always wanted a large family.
“It means a lot to me and I am really proud to be carrying his baby,” she said. “Before Joe passed we had quite a few detailed conversations of what that would look like if Joe wasn’t here and we both knew it was something that we wanted to do.”
Chantelle, who shared that she is 29 weeks pregnant, said she feels happy about expecting another baby, but admitted, “on the flip side, I am doing this alone.”
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“I’ve got a great family network and I wouldn’t be able to do this without them, but it’s still not Joe,” she said.
Chantelle noted that her grief “comes in waves,” sharing that there are moments like her and Joe’s anniversary or her daughters’ birthdays where she “expected to be broken, but I’m not.”
For Chantelle’s 13-year-old daughter Thailula, the year since her father’s death has been a “rollercoaster.” Thailula shared that she and her mother have been “picking each other up,” adding that she’s “so excited” about a new sibling.
Joe was initially diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013 and again four years later, per the BBC. Joe, who was a midfielder for Rochdale AFC, retired from the sport in 2019. After being diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2024, news broke in April 2025 that Joe died at age 36.
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“The words I thought I would never have to write….” Chantelle wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “Our brave and courageous Joey passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning, he was at home where he wanted to be in a beautiful peaceful setting [surrounded] by his family when he transitioned. ✨”
The statement continued, “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.”
Chantelle shared that Joe was “the most incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father” to the pair’s “beautiful daughters who will now carry his light and legacy on and I will continue to keep filling them up with [Joe’s] love every single day.”
“It’s been a long battle, and one that he fought with all his might and he did things HIS way!!” she wrote. “He [chose] his path and walked every step with courage and pride growing closer and closer to god each day whilst still being there for so many others. He held on to his plans for the future to continue that legacy but It’s now time for him to rest up and watch over us from heaven.”
She concluded, “I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy. Long may his legacy and impact live on!! 🔥.”
