IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH: Inside story of Tom Watson and LeslieAnne Wade's ill-fated 3-month marriage

Watson and Wade knew each other for 15 years before they got married on July 9 in New Jersey

PUBLISHED OCT 27, 2022

LeslieAnne Wade has split from her husband Tom Watson after just 3 months of marriage (@LeslieAnneWade/Twitter)

Retired American professional golfer Tom Watson and his wife LeslieAnne Wade have filed for divorce after only three months of marriage. Wade, who owns the PR firm, White Tee Partners, is a former CBS executive, announced the end of their relationship in a tweet on Monday, October 24. The duo had tied the knot in July this year, but decided to go their separate ways due to Wade's battle with an "unexpected illness"

"Over the past few months I have been focused singularly on a challenging road through unexpected illness," Wade tweeted. "Tom has been supportive including making sure I have the best possible care. I am beyond grateful to him and blessed that I will make complete and full recovery. Sadly, the inability to launch and build our relationship properly in these early days forces us to terminate our marriage. He will always mean the world to me and our connection is forever."

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The Eight-time Major winner retweeted Wade's announcement but has not publicly commented on the matter. The former couple knew each other for 15 years before they got married on July 9 in New Jersey. Prior to their marriage, the duo had their engagement during a visit to Wade's alma mater, Notre Dame, for a reunion in May.

Over the past few months I have been focused singularly on a challenging road through unexpected illness. Tom has been supportive including making sure I have the best possible care. I am beyond grateful to him and blessed that I will make complete and full recovery…1/2 pic.twitter.com/wWwIdgnXz7
— LeslieAnne Wade (@LeslieAnneWade) October 24, 2022

Watson was one of the leading golf players in the world and headed the PGA Tour money list five times. The 73-year-old won 39 PGA tournaments and eight majors throughout his illustrious career, including The Open five times and The Masters Twice.

Sadly, the inability to launch and build our relationship properly in these early days forces us to terminate our marriage. He will always mean the world to me and our connection is forever. 2/2
— LeslieAnne Wade (@LeslieAnneWade) October 24, 2022

Wade was a longtime exec at CBS before she served as the Senior Vice President of Communications for its sports arm. She had been previously married which ended up in a divorce years previous.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 07: Honorary starter and Masters champion Tom Watson plays his opening tee shot from from the first tee during the opening ceremony prior to the start of the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 07, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Previous marriages of Tom Watson

Tom Watson has been married three times. In 2019, his previous wife, Hilary, died after battling pancreatic cancer for two years. She was 63. Watson paid an emotional tribute to her life and memory after her death. "The void she leaves will be filled by memories which will always remain as they leave indelible marks on our souls which we will never forget," he said at the time. "She said she was dying to live, not living to die throughout her entire ordeal with her cancer. She's my hero."

One of our game’s legendary figures, Tom Watson, lost his wife Hilary yesterday after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Our thoughts are with Tom and his family. pic.twitter.com/DqEl2KRXIA
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) November 28, 2019

He was also been married once prior to that. Watson married his high-school lover, Linda Rubin, in 1972 but divorced twenty-five years later, in 1997 after 25 years of marriage.