Ben Fogle has shared candid insights into his struggles with grief following the stillbirth of his son Willem in 2014,
admitting that the experience led him to become a “control freak” and ultimately contributed to a mental health breakdown last year.
The 51-year-old broadcaster has been open about his emotional journey, revealing how the trauma of loss affected his life and mental well-being.
Coping with the Loss of His Son
Fogle and his wife, Marina, suffered the devastating loss of their son Willem at 33 weeks. At the time, Marina was rushed to a hospital in Austria while Ben was in Canada.
The tragic event left the couple heartbroken, especially after having previously endured a miscarriage in 2008.
Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Fogle reflected on how he and his wife processed their grief differently.
“A number of years ago, my wife and I lost a son, who was stillborn. It’s amazing how you deal with a loss like that. My wife Marina was very raw with her emotions,” he shared.
He admitted that, unlike his wife, he internalized his grief, leading to an overwhelming need for control in his life.
“Mine were much more measured. It doesn’t mean I felt it any less, but I probably kept them within. One of the big things that happened to me was that I became obsessed about control because I had lost control there,” he explained.
He also recalled the helplessness he felt upon receiving the tragic news while being so far away.
“I was actually in Canada when it happened, and I had to take a flight to get back. I didn’t know if my wife was going to survive. It was one of the periods in my life when I had lost all control.”
Struggling with Mental Health
The years following Willem’s stillbirth were difficult for Fogle, and he recently revealed that his battle with grief ultimately led to a mental health crisis in 2023.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, he described his experience as a “mental health wobble,” adding, “I don’t know if there is a specific term for it, but it was basically burnout, a breakdown.”
Fogle described the overwhelming anxiety and paranoia he faced, leading him to seek professional help.
“I battled crippling paranoia and anxiety. Through a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and now some alternative therapies, I feel like my old self,” he wrote.
He emphasized that sharing his struggles was important, not for sympathy, but to break the stigma around mental health issues.
“A mental health trauma should not be a stigma but a reality check for the increasingly complicated world in which we live,” he stated.
As part of his recovery, Fogle focused on simplifying his life.
“Less social media. Less work. Less pressure to be perfect. The results are that I worry less, stress less, and fixate less,” he shared.
ADHD Diagnosis and Understanding His Mental Health
Earlier this year, Fogle revealed that he had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The diagnosis, which came in the wake of his mental health crisis, provided clarity on some of the struggles he had been facing.
Despite his initial skepticism about labels, Fogle found comfort in understanding how his mind works.
“I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD—cue eye rolling. I admit to my own cynicism, but the reality is that I have changed neurologically,” he said.
He went on to explain that while the diagnosis doesn’t define him, it helps explain both his strengths and weaknesses.
“It does not make me fragile, just vulnerable. It enhances my creativity and empathy. Neurological individuality makes me who I am, and I am proud of that.”
Fogle has previously been open about other mental health struggles, including a “psychotic episode” in 2013 after his drink was unknowingly spiked.
Finding Peace and Moving Forward
Now, Fogle is focused on maintaining a balanced life, prioritizing his well-being, and cherishing time with his wife and children. The couple, who have been married since 2006, share two children—son Ludo, 15, and daughter Iona, 14.
Through his openness about grief, mental health, and neurological differences, Fogle hopes to inspire others who may be facing similar challenges.
“We can heal. These struggles don’t define us or make us weak. They prove that we are human.”
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