Ronan Keating has shared a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Marie Keating, on the 24th anniversary of her death from metastatic breast cancer. The Boyzone singer, 44, posted an emotional video on Instagram, expressing his regret that his mother never met his five children.
In the video, Keating described his mother as 'our best friend, a legend, as cool as they come, the best mum.' He reflected on the loss, saying, 'When your mum puts her arms around you and says everything's going to be OK — that feeling. I don't get that anymore and there's nothing like that feeling.'
Keating and his wife Storm have two children together, Cooper, four, and Coco, one. He also has three older children, Jack, 22, Missy, 20, and Ali, 16, from his first marriage to Yvonne Connolly, all born before Marie's passing. 'She never got to meet her grandchildren,' Keating said. 'It's heartbreaking.'
The singer established the Marie Keating Foundation in his mother's honour alongside his siblings and father Gerry. The foundation aims to raise awareness about cancer and support those affected by the disease.
Fans and celebrities offered support, including TV chef Jamie Oliver, who wrote, 'Big love brother xxx thank you for sharing your feelings.' Atomic Kitten singer Jenny Frost related to Keating's pain, while former Boyzone bandmate Keith Duffy recalled fond memories of Marie, including the sausages and bacon she would give them for trips to Belfast.
