Mick Fanning credits brother Edward for surfing success in heartfelt tribute after tragic death

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Jake Santa Maria
The Nightly
Mick Fanning has posted a heartfelt tribute to Edward
Mick Fanning has posted a heartfelt tribute to Edward Credit: Supplied

Legendary Australian surfer Mick Fanning has posted a heartfelt tribute to his brother Edward following his tragic passing in Madagascar.

Edward’s death was announced yesterday by friend Stevie Maher and is the third Fanning brother to pass after brothers Peter in 2015, and Sean in 1998.

Peter died in his sleep from a health-related condition, while Sean was tragically killed in a car crash in Coolangatta, when was just 17 years old.

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Edward’s cause of death is not yet known.

In an Instagram post, Mick paid tribute to his “larrikin” brother and credited him for his surfing success.

“Love you my brother. You taught me so much over the years about everything that life could deal up,” Fanning wrote.

“The good and the bad you were my teacher.”

World Surfing Champ Mick Fanning returns home to the Gold Coast to greet family and fans at Coolangatta Airport and at his surprise party at the Kirra Beach Hotel where Grinspoon played . Brother Edward Fanning
Mick and Edward celebrate a world championship win. Credit: News Limited

“I know at times you found it hard to find your happy place,” Fanning wrote.

“It warms my heart to know you found it these last few years. To hear the excitement in your voice each time we talked filled me with hope.”

Surfer Mick Fanning copy photos from his book Surf for your life. "Family photo in front of our house in Penrith. Rachel is holding me, while Sean, Edward and Peter are nicely lined up in front of Mum". Picture: Mark Evans
A family photo of the Fanning’s. Credit: News Limited

When his brother Peter passed in 2015 Fanning said he hit rock bottom.

“I went through a divorce, had the shark incident and then at the end of it all I lost my brother. I was just totally empty at the end of it. I was done,” Fanning told 60 Minutes.

“That was the one that just floored me. I was like ‘what else? What else can be taken in a year?’ At the end of 2015, I just hit rock bottom,” he said.

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