Before Ian Wright became a well-known figure in English television and radio, he had a remarkable story to tell. Growing up in southeastern London alongside his brothers Maurice and Nicky, young Wrighty faced significant challenges from an early age. His father left when he was just 18 months old, which set the stage for a troubled childhood. He often clashed with his stepfather, creating a turbulent home environment.
Life Before Fame: The Story and Legacy of Ian Wright
In this biography, we’ll delve into Ian Wright’s life journey, exploring the pivotal moments that shaped him into the person he is today. We’ll cover his early life, family background, and the experiences that defined his formative years. We’ll also highlight his rise to fame, his relationships, and his personal life, showcasing the resilience and determination that propelled him from a challenging upbringing to a celebrated career. Without further ado, let’s dive into his captivating story.
Ian Wright Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, Ian Edward Wright was born on the 3rd day of November 1963 at Woolwich in London, England. He was the third of three boys born of the union between his mother, Nesta and Father, Herbert.
Wright’s parents were immigrants who left Jamaica to seek greener pastures in England years before he was born. Therefore, Wright is a British national of black ethnicity with Afro-American roots.
Ian Wright Childhood Biography – The Runaway Father:
Young Wright grew up alongside his brothers Maurice and Nicky in the southeastern London towns of ‘Brockley and Crofton Park’ as well as Honor Oak Estate.
The football prodigy was only 18 months old when his father left the family, a development which left Wright to the mercies of a ruthless stepfather who found his way into the family.
“Dad left when I was about 18 months and my stepdad came in, I must have been about five, six, that’s when I remember him from and he wasn’t a nice fella.”
He once recalled.
Having a Troubled Childhood:
Wright didn’t get along well with his stepfather and was specifically hated for exuding confidence in an extroverted manner.
“Being the youngest boy, I wouldn’t say I was bad, but I was scally, I was very extroverted from a young age and very confident, and it rubbed people up the wrong way. Especially my stepdad, he didn’t like me at all”.
Recounts Wright.
As a child, Ian Wright faced significant restrictions that kept him from enjoying the things he loved most, including his favourite TV show, Match of the Day. In his own words, he recalled a particularly harsh rule enforced by his stepfather:
“Match of the Day and watching football was all I lived for. He’d come into the bedroom just before it started and say, ‘Turn around. Turn around to the wall.’ We had to face the wall the whole time Match of the Day was on. The really cruel thing was that we could still hear everything. It was awful. I would cry myself to sleep whenever he did it.”
This upbringing fostered deep-seated anger in Wright. He later reflected on his troubled childhood with poignant clarity, summarizing his feelings in just 14 words: “For a large part of my life, I was angry. I was always angry.”
Ian Wright Biography – The Positive Influence:
While Wright’s anger raged on, he was pacified by his school teacher at the time, Late Sydney Pidgen. It was Late Sydney who taught Ian how to read and write as well as helped him through the dark times.
“He was the first man who showed me any kind of love. He’s still with me. He’ll always be with me.”
Notes Wright of his late teacher.
Late Sydney (right) was Wright’s first positive influence.
Picking up the bits of his shattered childhood and love for football, Wright decided to become a footballer when he was aged 14 but was rejected by many clubs.
Upon leaving school at the age of 16, the relentless youngster got himself trained in bricklaying and plastering while considering his options in football.
A few years later, Ian Wright found himself no closer to achieving his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Instead, he faced a life-changing encounter with the law that led to his incarceration for two weeks. This experience would become a pivotal moment in his life, forcing him to reevaluate his choices and ambitions. In his words,
“I had two cars but no tax or insurance. When they caught up with me, I went to Chelmsford prison for 14 days. The sound of those prison doors closing and the nutters inside taught me: I can’t live my life like this”.
Ian Wright Bio – Rise To Fame Story:
Suffice to say, it was the “cell experience” that gave Wright the shot he needed for success.
He first settled for Bermondsey-based Sunday league club Ten-em-Bee and thereafter committed to semi-professional Greenwich Borough in 1985.
It was at Greenwich that the star in the making put up enough impressive performance to secure him his first professional contract with Crystal Palace in 1985.
While at Crystal Palace, Wright impressed fans and his coaches during his first season. By the end of his second, he had reached a hundred goals tally for Crystal Palace.
Ian Wright was one of Europe’s best Goal scorers during his playing days.
These tremendous early achievements, among other feats, fetched Wright international honours and a record transfer to Arsenal in 1991. The rest, as they say, is history.
About Ian Wright’s Wife and Children:
Ian Wright has been married twice, and we’ll explore his past relationships and marital life in detail.
His first significant relationship was with a woman named Sharon. Wright met Sharon when she already had a son, Shaun, whom he adopted. Together, they later welcomed a son named Bradley.
Both Shaun and Bradley pursued careers in professional football, eventually playing for The New York Red Bulls. Shaun Wright-Phillips played with Chelsea alongside the likes of Mikel Obi and Didier Drogba.
Meet Ian Wright’s children – Bradley (left) with his brother Shaun.
Moving on, Wright got married to his first wife who goes by the name, Deborah. The now-estranged couple first met at a bus stop and began dating until marriage.
Their marriage was blessed with four children. They include Brett, Stacey, Bobbi and Coco. Wright and Deborah later got separated after he cheated on her with a waitress and BBC researcher.
The football legend is currently married to his second wife, Nancy, and they both have two daughters named Lola and Roxanne.
Meet Ian and his wife, Nancy.
The couple has been through a lot, including surviving an armed robbery by a gang that held Nancy at knifepoint in their home.
Wright was far from home at the time, working as a pundit in Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Fortunately, no one was hurt, including his daughters, who were fast asleep while the robbery operation took place.
Lesser-Known Career Facts:
Do you know?
- Ian wrote and published his autobiography “Mr Wright” while he was still playing for Arsenal in 1996. Where’s the fire?
- He was given an MBE award shortly after his retirement from football.
- Since he was first signed by ITV to host his own chat show, “Friday Night’s All Wright,” Ian has secured numerous television and radio presenting opportunities, in addition to featuring in commercials.
Personal Life:
Wright is a football legend who is known for his extroverted nature as a pundit and former player.
Beyond his extroverted disposition, he is an individual who resents the initial cards life dealt with him for his first 19 years and is on a mission to catch up with what life should have been.
“Perhaps now that you’ve read my story, when you see me on television smiling, you’ll realize that I wasn’t born with that smile—I earned it.”
He notes.
Football icon Wright is more than an exuberant pundit; he’s a man reshaping his initial life challenges. As he remarks, the smile he wears now on TV wasn’t inherited but hard-earned.
The legend, among other endeavours, works on giving back and desires to see football accessible to people who cherish it both on and off the pitch.
Ian Wright Lifestyle:
Wright, like Roy Keane, lives a far more modest life than anyone might expect. No thanks to his expensive divorce from his first wife, Deborah and income tax issues that bedevil his post-football endeavours.
“I’m constantly getting cab drivers coming to pick me up, seeing I live in a normal terraced house and saying, ‘Blimey, is this where you live? I expected something bigger.”
He revealed.
Whichever way expectations tilt, one thing remains constant: Wright has made happiness a choice and proves that life is not as hard as it seems.
Fact Check:
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