The poker scene received sad news this Sunday (6). Phil Hellmuth Sr., father of Phil Hellmuth, died after a nine-month battle with cancer. Furthermore, the WSOP bracelet record holder confirmed the loss on social media and recalled the importance of his father at different moments of his journey.
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Thus, Phil Hellmuth Sr. built a distinguished career in academia. He had a law degree from Marquette University, where he met his future wife, Lynn. Additionally, he earned a doctorate and an MBA and developed his entire professional career at the University of Wisconsin.
However, at first, father and son had disagreements about Hellmuth’s career choice. The player dropped out of university to pursue a career in poker, a decision that went against his father’s expectations. In his autobiography, Poker Brat, he recalled that period: “I was the son who needed to go to college, who needed to get good grades. I was the son he desperately tried to shape”.
However, over time, Hellmuth Sr. began to support his son’s career and witnessed one of the most important moments in poker history. In 1989, despite having no experience with the game, he decided to travel with Phil to the World Series of Poker. That year, Hellmuth defeated Johnny Chan in the heads-up of the WSOP Main Event and won his first bracelet.
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Phil Hellmuth recalls father’s support in historic WSOP victory
Additionally, during the Main Event, Hellmuth asked his father not to follow the hands closely, fearing he might lose concentration. Still, Hellmuth Sr. was present every day and helped his son behind the scenes. Moreover, he showed confidence in the title and repeatedly asked the player: “You’re going to win this, right?”.
Thus, after the victory, one of the most memorable moments in their relationship happened. Hellmuth immediately looked for his father and found him running towards him. “My father was there when I reached the goal of my life. To me, that is priceless”, wrote the champion recalling the hug he received after winning the 1989 WSOP Main Event.
Finally, Phil Hellmuth Sr. continued to follow important moments in his son’s career and life. In 2006, for example, he was present when Phil won his tenth bracelet, tying Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson. Additionally, he always showed pride in his five children and highlighted the family’s competitiveness in a 2008 interview: “All five reached the top in what they decided to do. Phil just happens to be the most famous”.
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