Michael Owen’s lengthy career as a Premier League football player has made him well-known in the United Kingdom.
His greatest accomplishment, though, is that he is a father to four children, one of them is his son James.
Who is Michael Owen’s son James and how old is he?
James, the sole child of Michael Owen and his wife Louise, was born on February 6, 2006.
He has three siblings: Gemma, Emily May, and Jessica. He is one of four children.
His parents were childhood sweethearts, having first met in 1984 when he was attending Hawarden High School in Flintshire, Wales.
He proposed to Louise at home on Valentine’s Day, 2004 (which is also her birthday), and they were married the following year.
What is James’ condition Stargardt?
Michael disclosed that James, his son, is “clinically blind” in 2019.
The former England striker said that his second oldest child had been diagnosed with retinal degeneration, or Stargardt illness.
Although there is currently no known cure for stargazdt, individuals with the condition usually experience visual impairment in their infancy or adolescent. Complete blindness is an uncommon symptom of the illness.
Speaking to The Times, he said: “He will never be a footballer. My son’s got an eye condition.
“I’ve never said this. I don’t want a big headline.
“Clinically, he’s blind. He’s got Stargardt disease, a degeneration of his retina. I used to go and watch him and bollock him about his positioning.
“He can’t see the ball until it’s five yards away. As much as every father wants their son to play, it is almost a relief to me.
“Everyone always asks, ‘Is he going to be a footballer?’ and then I stand on the side of the pitch and hear, ‘He’s not as good as his dad.'”
What does James Owen do for a living?
Jamie continues to attend school because he is still a teenager.
On Instagram, he has a sizable fan base under the well-known account _james_owen10.
Like his father Michael and sister Gemma, James is also deeply passionate about horses.
Who is James’ sister Gemma?
Gemma, the older sister of James, competed on Love Island in 2022 and is an equestrian.
She now owns her own fashion brand and works as an influencer.
Gemma wrote a heartfelt essay on her brother James’s eye condition in May 2023.
The reality star announced that she was the new ambassador for the UK charity Fight For Sight, which supports funding for research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye illness, by sharing a photo of herself grinning with her brother.
“When my brother James was around 8yo he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Stargardt Disease,” she said.
“This condition progressively deteriorates vision from the macula and currently there is no cure or treatment.
“Having closely witnessed how sight loss has affected him personally, I am honoured to announce that I am now an ambassador for Fight For Sight.”
Gemma admitted the charity is very important to her and her family as she prepares to undertake her new job.
“This UK charity is funding research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease and has a special place in all of my family’s heart,” Gemma continued.
“I’m looking forward to working with them to help raise funds and awareness for research and developments in treatments for people with Stargardt Disease and other conditions causing blindness.”
