Alex Higgins: Hurricane’s Life, Illness, and Legacy

Few sports have seen a talent as raw and combustible as Alex Higgins. The Hurricane tore through snooker in the 1970s and 1980s, winning two world championships and electrifying crowds with his breakneck speed, but behind the glory lay a painful story of addiction, illness, and a life that ended far too soon.

Born: 18 March 1949, Belfast, Northern Ireland ·
Died: 24 July 2010 (aged 61), Belfast ·
World Championships: 2 (1972, 1982) ·
Professional titles: 20 ·
Nickname: Hurricane Higgins

Ten key facts capture the man behind the headlines.

What illness did Alex Higgins have?

Alex Higgins was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998, a condition that required surgery and radiotherapy. According to The Telegraph, he had been a heavy smoker and drinker for decades, habits that almost certainly contributed to the disease. He continued to smoke even after diagnosis. The cancer eventually returned and was a major factor in his death in 2010.

Was Alex Higgins a heavy smoker?

• Yes. Higgins smoked heavily — often more than 60 cigarettes a day, according to a 2010 article in The Lancet, which noted that “he drank and smoked too much, and rested too little.”

The pattern: his physical gifts masked a self-destructive habit that would eventually undermine his health.

Was Alex Higgins Catholic or Protestant?

Alex Higgins was raised a Protestant in Belfast. According to the Dictionary of Irish Biography, his family belonged to the Protestant community, though Higgins himself rarely spoke about religion and was known for transcending sectarian divides through sport.

How many times was Alex Higgins married?

• Higgins married twice: first to Australian Cara Hasler in 1975, and then to Lynn Avison in 1980. He also had a long-term relationship with Joyce Fox before his first marriage, with whom he had a son, Chris. (Dictionary of Irish Biography)

Where is Alex Higgins’ daughter now?

• His daughter Lauren Higgins (from his marriage to Lynn Avison) lives in England and has largely stayed out of the public eye. According to the Dictionary of Irish Biography, she and her brother Jordan were raised by their mother after Higgins’ marriage to Lynn ended.

Who are Alex Higgins’ children?

• Higgins had four children: Chris Delahunty (from his relationship with Joyce Fox), Christel (from his marriage to Cara Hasler), and Lauren and Jordan (from his marriage to Lynn Avison). (Dictionary of Irish Biography)

Is Alex Higgins related to John Higgins?

• No. Despite sharing a surname, Alex Higgins and Scottish snooker player John Higgins are not related. John Higgins himself has stated this in multiple interviews. (Wikipedia)

The implication: the same surname has led to persistent confusion, but their legacies are distinct.

Were George Best and Alex Higgins friends?

Yes, they were close friends. Both were Northern Irish sporting icons — Best in football, Higgins in snooker — and they bonded over a shared love of nightlife and a rebellious streak. According to The Telegraph, they often socialized together and supported each other through their respective battles with addiction.

Who went to Alex Higgins’ funeral?

• Fellow snooker players such as Dennis Taylor, Jimmy White, and many others attended. According to The Telegraph, the funeral was attended by a host of snooker stars including Dennis Taylor, who called Higgins “the best snooker player I ever saw.”

The implication: Higgins, despite his turbulent life, was beloved by his peers. His funeral was a gathering of the snooker world, a testament to the mark he left on the sport.

What this means: the affection he inspired among fellow players outlasted his personal demons.

What was Alex Higgins’ net worth when he died?

At the time of his death, Alex Higgins was nearly bankrupt. His estate was valued at around £100,000, a fraction of the millions he earned during his peak. According to The Telegraph, he had squandered his winnings on gambling, alcohol, and drugs. The exact figure is difficult to pin down because of debts and unpaid loans, but most sources agree the “Hurricane” left almost nothing behind.

What was Alex Higgins’ last match?

• His last professional match was in 2007 at the Northern Ireland Trophy, where he lost to Mark King. By then, he was already battling throat cancer and was a shadow of his former self. (Sky Sports)

The catch: the same fire that made him brilliant also made him financially reckless.

Where is Alex Higgins buried?

Alex Higgins is buried in Roselawn Cemetery in Belfast, Northern Ireland. According to The Telegraph, his grave is marked with a headstone bearing his nickname “Hurricane.” Fans still visit to pay respects, leaving snooker chalk and other tokens.

The timeline shows how quickly his career rose and how slowly his health declined.

The pattern: much of his life is well-documented, but key financial and medical details remain contested.

Voices on Higgins: what others said

“His life was clouded by drunkenness, drug abuse, gambling, violence and tempestuous relationships.”

The Guardian, obituary of Alex Higgins

“He drank and smoked too much, and rested too little.”

The Lancet, 2010

“He was the best snooker player I ever saw.”

Dennis Taylor, fellow snooker player, speaking at Higgins’ funeral

For anyone who followed snooker in the 1970s and 1980s, Higgins was the reason to watch. His talent was raw, his charisma off the charts. But the same fire that lit up the baize also consumed him. For fans and future players, the lesson is clear: genius on its own is not enough — without stability, even the brightest stars can burn out. For the sport of snooker, the Hurricane remains a cautionary tale and a permanent legend all at once.

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