Artist Tracey Emin has revealed that her elder brother Alan died last week while she was in hospital being treated for borderline sepsis and an acute attack of diverticulitis.
Emin, 63, said she had spent eight days in hospital after suffering a series of infections over several weeks. She described Alan as “a kind and gentle soul” in an Instagram post about the loss.
“I was expecting it but not expecting it,” she wrote. “I know he is where he wants to be.”
Emin added: “I keep trying to tell myself the loss and sadness is mine. He is soaring high in a much better place.”
She said she had been repeatedly unwell, writing: “I keep being unwell. This time borderline sepsis and an acute attack of diverticulitis.”
“I’ve been suffering for weeks on and off, one infection after another,” she said, adding that the illness had left her feeling weak.
Emin wrote that the combination of her health problems and her brother’s death had made the past few weeks particularly difficult. She said: “Every bit of pain, every heartbreak feels like the heaviest weight trying to crush me.”
She concluded her tribute by saying: “Alan was right to take his leave. I love you Alan. Rest in peace.”
Tracey Emin’s health battle
Emin was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer during lockdown six years ago and underwent a series of major operations in 2020.
Doctors removed her bladder, urethra and lymph nodes, as well as parts of her intestine and vagina, to prevent the tumour from spreading. She was subsequently fitted with a stoma pouch, allowing urine to leave her body through a urostomy bag.
The artist has previously spoken openly about adapting to life after the surgery and shared candid updates about her health on social media.
In one post, she described the stoma as “part of my intestine attached to the outside of my body” and said: “Without it being there and functioning correctly, I will die.”
She also wrote that her body would never be the same and that wearing the bag could be depressing, but added: “But it’s life.. my life now.”
