Mick Fanning opens up on shocking family tragedies that included the surfing star attending ‘his own wake’

Mick Fanning is a three-time surfing world champion and a revered figure in the sport – but his life out of the ocean has been punctured by repeated family tragedies.

The recent Sports Australia Hall of Fame inductee, 43, is the youngest of four boys.

Inexplicably, the Gold Coast local has mourned the deaths of his older siblings Sean, Peter and Ed, dating back to 1998.

Sean died in a car crash on his way home from a Coolangatta party aged just 20 – and then Peter, 43 died in his sleep in 2015, following complications from an enlarged heart.

Ed, 48, passed away earlier this year when a wound became infected in Madagascar where he was employed as a surf instructor.

He also suffered cardiac complications and died in hospital.

‘Life hits you with a sledgehammer every now and then,’ Fanning told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘It takes time to process. It takes time to heal. It is definitely a journey.’

The youngest of four boys, Fanning (right) has mourned the death of his three older brothers

Fanning is also well aware he cheated death following an encounter with a great white shark at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa in 2015 (pictured)

Ed Fanning (pictured left) was living and working at a surf tour camp in Madagascar before he died in March following cardiac complications 

Mick Fanning stated he ‘felt like I had nothing to give’ after losing his brother Peter in 2015

The Penrith raised star – who moved to the Glitter Strip at the age of 12 – is thankful to have partner Breeana Randall – plus their two kids, Xander and baby Lyla – in his corner.

Their constant presence helps avoid ‘life getting really dark’ for the natural-footer.

Fanning is also well aware he cheated death following an encounter with a great white shark at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa in 2015.

He is asked about the incident – where he frantically punched the shark as survival mode kicked in – virtually everyday.

The epic party that followed the J-Bay open final –  mainly celebrating the fact Fanning was alive – actually felt more like a wake.

‘It was just so raw. Not just for me, but everyone that was there on the beach that day,’ Fanning recalled.

‘Surfing is a giant family, so that’s what it was. We almost lost one of the family.

‘It felt like being at my own wake because one minute everyone was laughing and the next minute everyone was crying. ‘It was very special, but also such a weird moment.’