Abby Wambach, the youngest of seven siblings, hails from a sizable family that includes two older sisters and four older brothers. Tragically, she lost her beloved brother Peter in 2023.
Mary Abigail Wambach is a retired American soccer player and coach inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Highlights
- Abby’s brother, Peter G. Wambach, took his last breath in December 2023.
- She began playing soccer at four, inspired by her sister’s interest in the sport.
- Her siblings played with her at their level and only let her win when she had truly earned it.
Renowned for her exceptional career, Wambach won the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award six times.
In July 2021, Wambach launched “Abby’s Places ” on ESPN+, marking the debut of a new series in the Peyton’s Places franchise.
Abby Wambach Brother, Peter Wambach Is No More
Abby’s brother, Peter G. Wambach, d*ed suddenly on December 27, 2023, at 51.
Peter is survived by his wife, Carolyn Wambach, their sons Mitchell, Brady, and Connor Wambach, and his parents, Judy and Peter Wambach Sr.
Peter grew up in Pittsford, NY, where his Catholic upbringing profoundly influenced him.
Abby’s elder brother’s educational journey began at McQuaid Jesuit High School, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Le Moyne College.
A lifelong Rochester resident, Peter devoted himself to the family business, Wambach Farms, Inc., managing its operations from 1988 to 2011.
Abby Wambach Credits Her Big Family And Siblings For Her Humble Nature
Abby Wambach began playing soccer at four, inspired by her sister’s interest in the sport.
Their mother, Judy, helped by borrowing a book from the library to learn the rules, and soccer soon became a family tradition.
As the youngest of seven siblings, Wambach experienced constant competition and teamwork.
Her siblings played with her at their level and only let her win when she had truly earned it.
Being part of such a large family taught her to stay humble, as she always found someone better at something.
Wambach also explained how her older brothers toughened her up by using her as a target for hockey pucks during their practice sessions.
Even Matthew Wambach, Abby’s brother, remembers an early sign of her competitive nature during a game of catch football.
When Abby was about 11 or 12, she tackled a neighbor so hard that he groaned on the ground.
Her intense play showed early on that she was exceptionally competitive.
Additional Information
- Wambach was featured in the HBO film Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team.
- Wambach is married to author Glennon Doyle and lives in Hermosa Beach, California.
- She was previously married to soccer player Sarah Huffman from 2013 to 2016.
