Michael Owen has insisted he is a party animal these days, revealing he loves to drink, dance, and be the last one at the bar, a far cry from his reputation as being boring. The former Liverpool and England striker, 46, opens up in the new Prime Video series Meet The Owens, which follows his family life, his love of horses, and his retirement struggles.
Retirement Wobble and New Career
Owen, who retired from football in 2013 at age 33 due to a recurring hamstring injury, admits he had "a wobble" after retiring, as he no longer felt valued or loved. He says he "bounces out of bed" every day to work at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, a racehorse training operation he has invested £13 million into.
He reflects: "There was a wobble with me when I retired from football. All of a sudden you’re living under your wife’s feet and you are settling into a new life. Retiring from football, you no longer feel so valued, loved."
His passion for horses began at age 18 when he bought his first ones, and it has now become his new career. He is a prominent racehorse owner and breeder, often flying to places like Bahrain to close deals.
Family Life and Spending Habits
The series also shows his wife Louise joking about his odd spending habits, saying he won't think twice about spending money on a horse but will "hit the roof" if the kids leave a light on. In one scene, Owen boasts to Louise about spending £273,000 on three horses, suggesting they hold off on a new kitchen.
The couple, who married in 2005, discuss Louise's guilt over making Michael choose between her and his career with Real Madrid in 2005. Louise admits she felt isolated as a new mum in Spain and that her unhappiness likely brought that chapter to a close earlier than it might have otherwise.
Son James's Eye Condition
An emotional part of the series deals with their 20-year-old son James, who is going blind due to Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition. Owen recalls bursting into tears in the car after the diagnosis, feeling guilty and worrying about his son's future.
James, who works as a gold market trader, says he used to cry every day coming back from school, realizing he couldn't follow in his father's footsteps as a footballer. He says, "It's almost like a ticking time bomb where one day I might be fully blind." He hopes to one day take over the business side of Manor House.
Despite the challenges, Owen says James is "a proper son that I am proud of," and the family remains close. Owen admits he doesn't often say "I love you" to his children, but says his love is shown through their time together.
Meet The Owens launches on Prime Video on August 28.
