‘Lord of the Dance’ star Michael Flatley announces death of wife, Niamh O'Brien, at 52; what we know about the cause of death

Actor Michael Flatley, known for “Blackbird” and “Lord of the Dance,” announced that his wife, Niamh O'Brien, has passed away. He shared the tragic news on Instagram on Monday, October 5, 2026. He shared the tragic news on Instagram on Monday, October 5, 2026. She was 52 years old. “My heart is broken. I have lost my beautiful wife, Niamh, and my best friend," 'The Riverdance’ star wrote as he mourned the loss of his wife Niamh O’Brien was an Irish dancer and Flatley’s longtime costar. She performed the lead role of Saoirse in the show "Lord of the Dance."

Flatley further said, “My gorgeous bride of twenty years has gone to the Lord in Heaven.” “She was the most loving mother, wife and person, and our lives will never be the same without her.” He also thanked all those people who showed love and kindness to the family while asking for prayers for Niamh, their son, and their loved ones.

“Thank you for all the love and kindness you have shown us,” he wrote. “Please keep Niamh, Michael St James, and our family in your thoughts and prayers.” In his Instagram post, Flatley did not reveal the cause and manner of death, and they remained unknown at the time of filing this report.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Michael Flatley (@michaelflatleyofficial)

Flatley and Niamh tied the knot in 2006 at St. Patrick’s Church in County Cork, Ireland, PEOPLE reported. The couple decided to get married after knowing each other for more than a decade. “She’s the most beautiful girl in the world, inside and out,” Flatley told Britain’s Sunday Times in 2006, according to PEOPLE. “She is exactly what I was hoping my wife would be.”

The couple share a son, Michael St. James Flatley, in 2007.

O’Brien stood firmly with Flatley during a difficult phase in his own life. His team had announced in January 2023 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and had undergone surgery. In 2024, Flatley shared updates about his recovery and the support he received from his wife during an appearance on The Late Late Show.

“I’m married to the greatest girl in the world who looks after me and believes in me and stood beside me,” he said in May 2024, as quoted by PEOPLE. “I can’t explain the love that I have for my family.”