Swedish TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson received much attention in the early 2000s when her relationship with then English football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made headlines across major media outlets. The 56-year-old broadcaster posted a now-deleted story on January 11, 2024, describing her former lover as “not a respectable person.”
The Instagram post was a throwback photo of Ulrika Jonsson, with the caption:
“Look at me being young all the time. So. PSA. I have nothing to say about Sven. #nada. Not a respectable person.”
The post came shortly after Eriksson announced his cancer diagnosis, revealing on Thursday that he had “at best a year to live.” Speaking to P1 Radio about his diagnosis, he said:
“Maybe for a year at best, or a little less at worst, or maybe longer at best. You can't be completely sure. It's best not to think about it.”
While Sven-Goran Eriksson was widely praised for his managerial skills leading England through the World Cups in 2002 and 2006, his personal life was marred by scandal.
Ulrika Jonsson and Eriksson were involved in a love affair in 2002 when Eriksson was still in a relationship with his girlfriend of four years, Nancy Dell'Oglio, who was a British-Italian lawyer.
56-year-old Ulrika Jonsson is a Swedish-British television presenter and actress
Ulrika Jonsson was born on August 16, 1967 in Sweden, and began her career as a weather presenter in Good morning, Britain. She is best known for her work on ITV Gladiators. Ulrika Jonsson was also a contestant Celebrity MasterChef And Celebrity Big BrotherWhich she won in 2009.
According to The Guardian, Sven-Goran Eriksson met Ulrika Jonsson at a party in London. The two were friends at first but became closer due to frequent dinners with each other. They soon became involved in a whirlwind romance in 2002, while Erickson was still with his partner, Nancy Dell'Olio.
The relationship between Eriksson and Dell'Olio led to a brief separation, but the two reconciled. In 2004, Eriksson had another alleged affair with FA secretary Faria Allam, which led to Eriksson and Dell'Olio parting ways for good in 2007.
In a letter to The Sun in July 2021, Ulrika Jonsson spoke briefly about her highly publicized relationship with Eriksson, saying:
“I continued my pursuit of love, stopping briefly to chat under the covers with Sven-Goran Eriksson, almost 60 years old. Remember him, the former England football coach?”
I continued,
“Yes, I'm also trying to forget, because sex was about as exciting as putting together an IKEA bookcase, which makes my argument for a younger man inescapably compelling.”
While post Ulrika Jonsson revealed she didn't have much to say about Eriksson's diagnosis, Dell'Oglio was “shocked” by the news.
She told the Daily Mail:
“It's a really negative moment. In September my mother died and I can't get over that loss. It's like having an open wound that's getting worse instead of healing. Sven's announcement was devastating. I knew he wasn't well, but hearing his words really hurts me. Life can be “Harsh.”
Sven-Goran Eriksson was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2023
Seventy-five-year-old Sven-Goran Eriksson was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2023 when he went to hospital for a check-up after collapsing while running a 5km. According to the Mirror newspaper, his doctors said that he had suffered five minor strokes, and additional diagnosis revealed that he had cancer in its final stages.
Doctors predicted that his life expectancy would be less than a year. Speaking to P1 Radio, Sven said:
“Everyone knows I have a disease that's not good. Everyone guesses it's cancer, which it is. But I have to fight as long as I can. Maybe a year at best, a little less at worst, or maybe longer at best.” “…You can't be completely sure. It's better not to think about it.”
Speaking to the BBC, Eriksson said the diagnosis gave him a new perspective to “appreciate every day” and be “happy when you wake up in the morning”. He also stated that he lives a “completely normal life.”
Sven-Goran Eriksson's illustrious career included mentoring the famous 'Golden Generation' of English footballers from 2001 to 2006, including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Under his leadership, England reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002 and 2006, but unfortunately did not qualify for the semi-finals.
