Jackie Stewart has been married to his wife, Helen Stewart, for over 60 years. She has been beside him for the better part of his life.
They met as teenagers in their hometown of Helensburgh in Scotland. And they eventually tied the knot in 1962.
Helen had since served as a stopwatch tracking every minute detail that could help Jackie professionally and personally.
Unfortunately, in 2014, Jackie’s wife was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Adding to the dismay, Jackie revealed that he might have dementia on July 24, 2023.
Sir John Young Stewart OBE, born June 11, 1939, is a British former Formula One racing driver.
He wasn’t the only one who was into motorsports, his father was an amateur motorcycle racer, and his brother, Jimmy, was a local racing driver.
Stewart started his amateur racing career in 1961, and in 1962, he decided to become a professional driver.
In 1964, he drove in Formula Three for Tyrrell and slowly made his way to Formula One.
Witnessing the terrible danger and death in Formula 1, Stewart and his wife started advocating for auto racing safety and campaigned for improved emergency services and better safety barriers.
Throughout his professional F1 racing, he drove for BRM, Matra, March, and Tyrrell and became three times World Champion.
Jackie Stewart Wife, Helen Stewart
Jackie and Helen initially met as teenagers at Dino’s Café in their hometown of Helensburgh in Scotland.
The high-school sweethearts shared their wedding vows in 1962. Together they share two sons, Paul, an ex-racing driver, and Mark, a film producer.
Having a razor-sharp mind, Helen used to do all the timekeeping for Jackie, but suddenly she got dementia.
She was first diagnosed with this disease after being involved in a car accident and couldn’t remember a thing.
Following the diagnosis, Sir Jackie Stewart transformed his idyllic Swiss home to make a safe and comfortable life for his wife, Helen.
Lady Helen receives 24-hour care at home with two neuro nurses checking up on her daily twice.
Moreover, Stewart revealed that he had invested more than $2 million to find a cure for the cruel disease that is slowly claiming his beloved wife.
Jackie Stewart Founded Race Against Dementia
After Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE founded Race Against Dementia (RAD).
RAD funds early-career researchers to accelerate progress toward a cure for dementia, a disease that affected over 55 million people globally.
Moreover, in March 2023, Formula 1 announced to support Race Against Dementia.
Through a combined effort, Formula 1 and RAD promise to use their global platform to raise awareness.
Additionally, F1 will support RAD’s fundraising efforts, encouraging drivers, sponsors, and fans to join the race against dementia.
“Formula 1 is proud to be supporting Race Against Dementia in their tireless work to find a cure for a terrible disease that destroys lives and rips families apart,” said F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Jackie & Helen Stewart were on my mind after seeing a documentary on his racing days; with focus on his wife too. I was a teenage F1 fan at Watkins Glen that horrible day they lost their friend. A good informative article; thank you.