- Two-time world champion shared news on Tuesday
- Fanning’s brother Edward died late last month
- Edward was the third sibling he has lost in the past 25 years
Australian surfing icon Mick Fanning and his fiancée Breeana Randall have announced the birth of their daughter, just weeks after the two-time world champion’s world was turned upside down by the death of his brother Edward.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Fanning posted an adorable photo of their new arrival, accompanied by the simple caption: “Lyla Skye Fanning 4/4/24.”
Lyla has Arabic and Hebrew origins and can be translated as ‘night’, ‘dark’ or ‘dark beauty’.
The couple’s son, Xander Dean, was born in August 2020 and they announced last December that they were expecting Lyla.
Fanning revealed the arrival of his daughter Lyla Skye (pictured) on Instagram after she was born on April 4
The surfing icon is pictured with fiancée Breeana Randall and their son Xander, born in August 2020
Lyla’s arrival comes just days after Fanning (pictured with Randall) was shocked by the devastating news that his older brother Edward had died in Madagascar.
Her arrival comes just after Fanning’s older brother Edward died after contracting an infection while working as a surf guide in Madagascar.
The shocking news followed the deaths of Mick’s older brother Peter in 2015 and another brother, Sean, who died in a car crash in Coolangatta in 1998, when the former world champion was just 17.
The 42-year-old revealed the depth of his devastation in an emotional social media post shortly after the tragedy came to light.
“Ed, I love you, my brother,” he began. “You have taught me so much over the years about all that life has to offer. The good and the bad, you were my teacher. You introduced us all to surfing, the fun and freedom of riding a wave.
‘The meaning of going to the ends of the earth to find waves to following a passion in the belief that surfing could be the ultimate job. As the years passed, you fell in and out of the ocean, but your pure talent always shone through.
Edward Fanning (pictured left with Mick) is the third brother the surfing great has lost to tragic circumstances in the past 25 years
The 42-year-old is pictured at a beachside tribute to Edward on April 6, just two days after Lyla was born
“That’s where you ended up in teaching kids the fun of riding a wave. Without you, I’m not sure what the world would have made of me, so thank you.
“Ed, you had the biggest heart and were too loyal for your own good. Always standing up for the underdog and caring for those who needed help. You gave everyone everything you had, and if you didn’t have it, you would still give it to them.”
More to come…