18 January 2023 , 11:00
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Former racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart has given an update on his wife Helen’s condition after she was diagnosed with dementia.
The three-time F1 world champ married Helen, who celebrates her 82nd birthday this weekend, in 1962 and she has been left in a wheelchair and needing 24-hour care at home.
Since his wife’s diagnosis, the former F1 star has become an advocate for finding a cure to the condition and appeared on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday to discuss his efforts.
As he appeared in the studio with hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, the 83-year-old gave an update on his ‘wonderful’ wife Helen.
He said: “Of course she can no longer walk sadly. And now if I have a chat with her, as I do a lot obviously, very quickly, the last conversation disappears.”
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The former F1 star has become an advocate for finding a cure (ITV)Sir Jackie went on to recall his wife’s diagnosis seven years ago, adding her condition is now ‘pretty bad’.
He said: “She has a birthday coming up this weekend on Saturday. She doesn't want to hear this, but she's going to be 82.
“But she's still a fantastically attractive lady. She's always been a great looker.”
The couple, who have two sons and nine grandchildren together, learnt of her diagnosis after she had an unexplained car crash in 2014, despite the road being clear.
Jackie and his wife Helen and their dog Pimms (Roland Leon/Sunday Mirror)Helen’s family began to suspect something was amiss and later that year, she was diagnosed with dementia after a routine check-up.
Becoming a multi-millionaire and friend of the Royals thanks to a glittering career that saw him crowned world champion in 1969, 1971 and 1973 means Sir Jackie can afford to pay a team for Helen’s round the clock care.
Her bedroom has sensors and equipment that stop her falling out of bed and breaking an arm or a leg.
Jackie and Helen in 1969 (Getty)The couple, who were high school sweethearts after meeting near Helensburgh in Scotland, have found Helen’s frontal-lobe dementia has also been hard to take for their sons Paul, an ex-racing driver, film producer Mark and their nine grandchildren.
The toll has spurred Sir Jackie to launch the global charity Race Against Dementia to build a team of young scientists to find a cure for it.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
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