Rio Ferdiand announced this morning that his wife had died of cancer aged 34.
In a statement the QPR defender paid tribute to his "soulmate" and thanked the staff of the Royal Marsden Hospital.
My soulmate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She was a fantastic, loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.
Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca’s parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.
I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden. Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca’s all-too-short life will not be forgotten. Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately.
Those from the football world and those outside of it also paid tribute to Rebecca Ellison and offered their sympathies to the former England defender.
Everybody's thoughts at #mufc are with Rio Ferdinand today, whose wife sadly passed away last night. pic.twitter.com/OV8SKb6K75
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 2, 2015
Manchester City FC are saddened to hear about the loss of Rio Ferdinand's wife Rebecca and send condolences to his family at this sad time
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) May 2, 2015
.@LFC's Steven Gerrard hands @Joey7Barton a bouquet of flowers after the sad passing of @rioferdy5's wife, Rebecca pic.twitter.com/8t7kNfmulS
— QPR FC (@QPRFC) May 2, 2015
Everyone at #WHUFC has been left deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of Rebecca, the wife of @rioferdy5 1/2 pic.twitter.com/bWEoCyP0MA
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) May 2, 2015
The Club would like express its sincere condolences to #WHUFC Academy graduate @rioferdy5 and those closest to him at this sad time RIP 2/2
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) May 2, 2015
A sombre day beckons at @ManUtd following tragic news for the Ferdinand family. Deepest condolences from all at #wba
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBAFCofficial) May 2, 2015
My thoughts and everyone’s at @QPRFC are with @RioFerdy5 and his family at this time. The QPR family are with you all #RIP
— Tony Fernandes (@tonyfernandes) May 2, 2015
Thoughts are with Rio Ferdinand and his family. How dreadfully sad.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 2, 2015
What incredibly sad, shocking news about @rioferdy5's wife. My deepest sympathies to him, their children & all the family. RIP Rebecca.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 2, 2015
Really sad news that Rebecca Ellison, the wife of Rio Ferdinand has past away. My condolences to Rio, their 3 children and the family. RIP
— Peter Schmeichel (@Pschmeichel1) May 2, 2015
Just heard the terrible news. My heart goes out to @rioferdy5 and his family. RIP Rebecca
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 2, 2015
So so sad to hear the news about Rebecca, my thoughts and prayers are with @rioferdy5, Your Children and All Family ??
— Ashley Young (@youngy18) May 2, 2015
Can't believe I am actually writing this, absolutely devastated to hear the news about Rebecca. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rio,
— Coleen Rooney (@ColeenRoo) May 2, 2015
their 3 beautiful children and family at this sad time. I have such Happy memories of a devoted and loving mum. Rest in peace Rebecca xx
— Coleen Rooney (@ColeenRoo) May 2, 2015
shocking news about @rioferdy5 wife. My deepest sympathies to him, their children & all the family. RIP Rebecca.
— Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) May 2, 2015
Today all my thoughts are with @rioferdy5, his kids & the whole family in this difficult time. RIP Rebecca.
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) May 2, 2015
Gutted for Rio Ferdinand and his family
Deepest sympathies to you all— Neville Southall (@NevilleSouthall) May 2, 2015
My thoughts go out to Rio and all his family RIP Rebecca Ferdinand
— Charlie Austin (@chazaustin9) May 2, 2015
Thoughts with Rio Ferdinand and his family at this awful time.
— Keith Gillespie (@KeithGillespie7) May 2, 2015
Deepest condolences to @rioferdy5 and his family at this difficult time. Stay strong mate.
— Phil Jones (@PhilJones4) May 2, 2015
My sincere condolences to @rioferdy5 and his family.
— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) May 2, 2015
All my thoughts and prayers for @rioferdy5 and his family in this sad moment. Be strong, my friend.
— Radamel Falcao (@FALCAO) May 2, 2015
@rioferdy5 so sorry to hear mate, thoughts are with you and your children!!
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) May 2, 2015
Devastated after the heartbreaking news. My thoughts goes out to @rioferdy5, family and friends!
— David De Gea (@D_DeGea) May 2, 2015
@rioferdy5 so sorry about the news of your wife, my thoughts and wishes are with you and your family
— jonas gutierrez (@elgalgojonas) May 2, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your kids at this difficult time @rioferdy5 . Hope God gives you the strength you need buddy????????????????
— Stiliyan Petrov (@StanPetrov19) May 2, 2015
Our thoughts are with @RioFerdy5 as well as his family and friends at this incredibly sad time. #AVFC #FootballFamily
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) May 2, 2015
Everyone at @SwansOfficial would like to send their condolences to @rioferdy5 and his family at this sad time.
— Swansea City FC (@SwansOfficial) May 2, 2015
Such terribly sad news for Rio Ferdinand and family. Thoughts and prayers for 3 little children who have lost their mother.
— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) May 2, 2015
So sad to hear.. Thoughts and prayers go out to @rioferdy5 and his family
— Amir Khan (@AmirKingKhan) May 2, 2015
All at the PFA are deeply saddened to hear that Rebecca Ellison has passed away. Rio Ferdinand, his family and friends are in our thoughts.
— PFA (@PFA) May 2, 2015
Sympathies to Rio Ferdinand for his wife's passing; and respect to him for the dignity with which he has responded to it.
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) May 2, 2015
My thoughts are with Rio Ferdinand and his family. DG
— David Ginola (@teamginola) May 2, 2015
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at @celticfc are with @rioferdy5 and his family at such a difficult time.
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) May 2, 2015
Our sincere condolences to @rioferdy5 and his family! My thoughts and prayers are with U......
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) May 2, 2015
Deepest and heart felt sympathies to @rioferdy5 and his family, shockingly sad news, God bless you all.
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) May 2, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with @rioferdy5 at this tragic time.
— Freddie Ljungberg (@freddie) May 2, 2015
Just read the terrible news about Ferdinand's wife... My thoughts are with him and his family
— Ryan Babel (@Ryanbabel) May 2, 2015
My thoughts to Rio Ferdinand and his family! On this terrible time.
— Mauro Zarate (@mau_zeta) May 2, 2015
My thoughts go out to Rio and his family.. R.I.P. Rebeca Ferdinand ????
— Leroy Fer (@LeroyFer10) May 2, 2015
Today my thoughts are with Rio Ferdinand and family. Devastating news. @rioferdy5 such a genuine top fella.
— kemy agustien (@KemyAgustien) May 2, 2015
Thinking of @rioferdy5 and his family today. Stay strong mate, all the best.
— José enrique (@Jesanchez3) May 2, 2015
So sad to hear the news about @rioferdy5 wife Rebecca. Thoughts are with you and the family at this difficult time.
— Matt Holland (@mattholland8) May 2, 2015
Such sad news rip Rebecca Ferdinand thoughts are with Rio and his family x
— Clinton Morrison (@morrisonclinton) May 2, 2015
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE / Web Summit
