Terry Griffiths dies after battling dementia for years
- Terry Griffiths passed away on December 1, 2024, after battling dementia.
- He was well-known for his achievements as a snooker player and later as a coach to renowned players.
- Griffiths left a legacy as a beloved figure in the sport, remembered fondly by fans and fellow players.
On December 1, 2024, Terry Griffiths, a former world snooker champion and an influential figure in the sport, passed away at the age of 77. His family confirmed that he had been suffering from dementia for a significant period before his death. Griffiths, who was born in Llanelli, Wales, had a storied career in snooker, famously emerging as a qualifier to win the prestigious 1979 Crucible title. As a player, he maintained a strong presence in snooker through the 1980s and early 1990s, consistently reaching the quarter-finals of the World Championship for nine consecutive years and competing in the finals again in 1988. Beyond his playing career, Griffiths became a respected coach, where he significantly impacted the lives of a generation of players, including three-time world champion Mark Williams and others like Stephen Hendry and Mark Allen. His approach was not merely technical; he inspired many with his coaching style and became a pivotal mentor to these players. In a heartfelt tribute, Mark Allen described Griffiths as a