Inside Michael Flatley's family life with wife and son

Extra.ie​

3 days ago

Lord of the Dance phenomenon Michael Flatley has surprised the nation by seeking a nomination to become Ireland's next president.
The Riverdance star is to move back to Ireland within the next two weeks after a 'material change in circumstances' that has led him to look to run in the presidential election later this year, according to his barrister.
The 67-year-old is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, and an affidavit, signed by his solicitor Maxwell Mooney, was submitted to the High Court on Friday stating that the Irish-American is 'to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland'. Michael Flatley with his wife Niamh. Pic: David M. Benett/for Audi UK
Michael had strongly hinted at the idea before, stating during a radio interview that he did not believe the Irish people 'have a voice – not a true proper deep voice that speaks their language'.
While he is known around the world for his choreography, there is not much to tell about how he would get on in the political scene.
In the meantime, Extra.ie has taken a look into Michael's family life and his history away from dancing.
Michael was born in the US in 1958 to Irish parents. His father was a plumber from Sligo and his mother was a talented dancer from Carlow.
Irish dancing runs in Michael's blood, with his grandmother also being a champion dancer.
Michael was the second-born of five children and when he was two months old, the family moved from Detroit to Chicago.
Chicago was where he began his dance lessons and at age 17, Michael became the first American to win a World Irish Dance title at Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne. Michael's breakthrough came with Riverdance. Pic: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
It was the same year he won the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil concert flute competition, which he claimed again the following year.
Michael also has a history of boxing, winning the middleweight division of the Chicago Golden Gloves Boxing Championship and recording five knock-out victories in the 1970s.
He reportedly flirted with the idea of becoming a professional boxer before committing himself to a career in dance.
Michael was originally married to Polish hairdresser artist Beata Dziaba for 11 years after they met while he was dancing in London with The Chieftains in 1985.
The couple separated in 1997 after Michael revealed he had an affair with another dancer Kelley Byrne, who was 19 at the time.
Michael also got engaged to Lisa Murphy in the early 2000s, with the couple having an on-and-off relationship until 2006. Michael Flatley with Lisa Murphy in the early 2000s. Pic: Unicorn Entertainment/WireImage
He is now married to Niamh O'Brien and has been for the last 19 years.
Niamh is a fellow dancer, and the pair met while she was performing in many of his shows. Sources close to the couple said that there was an 'immediate attraction' between them.
Michael and Niamh got engaged in 2006 – not long after he split with Lisa – and tied the knot a month later with a ceremony held at St Patrick's Church in Fermoy, Co Cork.
Michael was 47 at the time and Niamh was 32. Michael Flatley with his wife Niamh and son Michael St James at the launch of Flatley Whiskey at The Round Room at Mansion House. Pic: Brian McEvoy
The couple welcomed their son Michael Saint James just a year after getting married. He is their only child.
Michael Jr hasn't quite followed his dad into the dancing world but still possesses a lot of creative qualities.
Michael previously remarked: 'He's a very academic young man. He's also a flautist. He plays the electric guitar. He's an actor and a director. He's very creative.'
In 2003, Michael was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer after an MTV viewer pointed out a brown spot on the side of his face that he himself had not noticed.
Two years ago, Michael revealed that he was once again undergoing treatment for an 'aggressive' form of cancer. Michael Flatley went through cancer treatment two years ago. Pic: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock
A statement read: 'Dear Friends, we have something personal to share, Michael Flatley has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. He has undergone surgery and is in the care of an excellent team of doctors.
'No former comments will be made at this time. We ask only for your prayers and well wishes. Thank you.'
The following week, Michael shared a positive update about his condition.
He wrote: 'Thank you to everyone around the world for your love and prayers. I am overwhelmed by your kindness. I have been released from hospital and am on the mend.'
Michael's breakthrough came in 1994 during the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, where he co-created and starred in Riverdance, a brief but electrifying performance that captivated millions.
His innovative choreography, which combined traditional Irish dancing with a dynamic stage presence and theatrical flair, set a new standard for the genre.
However, creative disagreements led him to part ways with the production later that year.
In 1996, he launched Lord of the Dance, a full-length stage show that further showcased his talents not only as a performer but also as a choreographer.
The show was a massive success, touring globally and drawing record-breaking crowds. Its scale and spectacle were expanded further with Feet of Flames in 1998. Michael changed the game in Irish dancing. Pic: Greg Williams/REX/Shutterstock
In 2005, he debuted Celtic Tiger Live, an ambitious production exploring different themes surrounding Irish identity and history.
Michael is widely credited with modernising and globalising Irish dancing, introducing it to new audiences and inspiring a new generation of dancers.
Throughout his career, Michael battled various health challenges, including a serious viral infection and injuries from decades of high-impact dancing, which eventually led to multiple retirements from the stage.
Despite stepping back from performing, he remained actively involved in the creative direction of his shows and pursued interests in music, painting, and philanthropy.