Former Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland has spoken for the first time about the tragic death of his first daughter, Shauna, who was born with spina bifida and died aged just four months. In his upcoming autobiography, Pride and Passion, Gatland reveals the devastating decision he and his wife Trudi faced after her birth in Ireland in January 1992.
Shauna was born on 17 January 1992, and scans immediately confirmed the severity of her condition. Gatland described the moment as one of profound shock, with nursing staff visibly distressed. He and Trudi were given what he called an “awful dilemma” – to subject their daughter to a series of gruelling operations or to “let nature take its course”.
Gatland recounted the heart-wrenching conversation with his wife, calling it “the hardest, most gut-wrenching conversation of my life”. They ultimately chose the “kinder” approach, and Shauna passed away on 13 May 1992. The coach admitted to a “profound and lasting” regret that he was in Australia with the Waikato provincial side when she died.
The 56-year-old, who led Wales from 2007 to 2019 and coached the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017, is now father to daughter Gabby and son Bryn, a professional rugby player. He said he remains immensely proud of his family despite the tragedy.
