In an emotionally charged conversation on the Friends Keep Secrets podcast, Ed Sheeran revealed the heartbreaking and life-changing moment when his wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with cancer. For Sheeran, the news marked both the worst and best days of his life.
The 35-year-old Shape of You singer opened up about how he first learned of his wife’s diagnosis, describing the day as “probably the worst day” of his life. He shared, “Cherry rang me up and said she had cancer.” The moment was compounded by the grief of losing his close friend and collaborator, Jamal Edwards, who passed away from a cardiac arrhythmia in the same week. “That was the worst week of my life,” he reflected, clearly still shaken by the magnitude of these two life-altering events.
Cherry’s cancer diagnosis came during her second pregnancy, a difficult time for the couple. “She had the operation — she was pregnant at the time — that was why it was difficult,” Ed said. He explained that Cherry underwent surgery to remove the tumor after giving birth to their second daughter, Jupiter, in 2022. Despite the gravity of the situation, Ed expressed relief that his wife is now “totally fine,” adding, “She’s fine,” which brought a sense of closure to a tumultuous chapter in their lives.
He also noted that the entire experience was “f***ing scary,” a candid and raw admission that reflects the intense emotions he felt during that time. As for how Cherry is doing today, Ed reassured fans that she’s healthy and fully recovered, something the couple had longed to hear after the terrifying diagnosis.
The conversation took a lighter turn when Benny Blanco, one of the podcast hosts, asked Ed about his most memorable life moments. In contrast to the heartbreaking day of Cherry’s diagnosis, Sheeran revealed that his wedding day to Cherry in 2019 was the best day of his life. Reflecting on their marriage, Sheeran shared how deeply in love he is with his wife, describing her as “the one.” The couple’s bond has grown even stronger over the years, particularly as they now share two beautiful daughters, Lyra, 5, and Jupiter, 3.
Ed and Cherry, known for keeping their family life relatively private, have occasionally shared glimpses of their personal world on social media. In May 2022, Ed announced the birth of their second daughter, telling fans, “Want to let you all know we’ve had another beautiful baby girl. We are both so in love with her, and over the moon to be a family of 4 x,” alongside an adorable photo of a pair of infant socks.
As parents, Ed and Cherry’s lives are clearly centered around their children, and it appears that being a father to two girls has made Ed reflect on what the future might hold. When asked if he would want a son, Sheeran seemed unsure, admitting that he enjoys being a “girl dad” and relishes in watching his daughters grow up together. “I think maybe I’d want another girl,” he mused, hinting that he’s happy with the balance in their family.
On the challenges of raising two young children, Sheeran reflected on the early chaos of having them so close in age. “Having them close together was, like, really chaotic to begin with,” he explained. “But then it’s, like, so good, because they just play together, bathe together, sleep together and school together, and everything’s locked in.” The way the two girls have formed such a strong bond has been a silver lining for the couple amidst the earlier chaos, and it’s clear that family life with his young daughters brings him immense joy.
Despite their busy schedules, Sheeran and Seaborn have found joy in their parenting journey. Sheeran mentioned how his daughters’ bond with each other makes the demands of family life a little easier to handle. His open-heartedness about his family, love life, and the challenges they’ve faced together has only deepened fans’ admiration for the couple.
Although Ed and Cherry continue to prioritize their children’s privacy, they’ve made the decision to share their journey with the public in bits and pieces, especially during milestones like their second child’s birth and Cherry’s health recovery. In addition to his role as a devoted father and husband, Sheeran has become an advocate for transparency about the hardships that come with life in the public eye.
In the interview, Sheeran also opened up about his own personal struggles. The talented musician candidly shared how the pressures of fame, particularly being compared to other musicians, led to his own battle with binge-eating. After being under the microscope for so long, he found himself turning to unhealthy habits to cope with the stress. “I became a binge-eater,” he admitted. Sheeran’s honesty about his struggles paints a picture of a man who, despite his incredible success, is just like any other person trying to navigate the ups and downs of life.
Sheeran’s story of overcoming adversity, facing the worst and best moments of his life, and finding peace in his family is a reminder that even the biggest stars experience the same trials as anyone else. Through it all, his devotion to his wife and daughters shines through, making Ed Sheeran not just an icon but a testament to the power of love and resilience.
Sources: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
