Cindy DeAngelis Grossman – How the first wife of Herschel Walker coped with his mental illness

Cindy DeAngelis Grossman, a successful businesswoman, is widely known for being the ex-wife of Herschel Walker, a former professional football player. Herschel’s athletic prowess has earned him praise and recognition both at the collegiate and professional levels, with accomplishments in sprinting, mixed martial arts, and bobsledding.

Cindy and Herschel were married before he attained fame, and she was a constant source of encouragement and support throughout his rise to success. As a loyal partner, Cindy was an inspiration and a testament to the saying, “Behind every successful man, there is a woman.”

While in high school, Cindy was a member of the cheerleading squad and was active in track and field. Information about her family, parents, and siblings is scarce, but it is known that she entered the workforce after completing her tertiary education. However, details about her professional life remain undisclosed.

Despite being accustomed to the spotlight, Cindy is a private individual who shies away from media attention and rarely grants interviews or shares personal information. Nevertheless, she has managed to build a successful business career alongside her celebrity marriage. Cindy has led several projects that have yielded positive social and economic returns, enabling her to maintain a luxurious lifestyle through her profits over the years.

Herschel Junior Walker – Success Story

Herschel Junior Walker, born on March 3, 1962, is a retired American football player who spent 12 seasons as a running back in the National Football League (NFL). Prior to his professional career, he played college football at the University of Georgia, where he won the Heisman Trophy during his junior year. Walker began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League (USFL), where he was named the league’s MVP in 1985, its final season. After the USFL folded, he joined the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, earning back-to-back Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors from 1987 to 1988.

In 1989, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, a trade widely regarded as one of the most one-sided deals in NFL history, which helped establish the Cowboys as a dynasty in the 1990s. Walker retired from football after stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants, ending his career with the Cowboys. In 1999, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Aside from football, Walker also competed as a member of the United States bobsleigh team in the 1992 Winter Olympics and pursued business ventures in food processing. He served as a co-chair on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition from 2019 to 2020 under President Donald Trump. In 2022, he launched his first political campaign as the Republican nominee for the United States Senate in Georgia, but ultimately lost the election to the Democratic incumbent, Raphael Warnock.

 

Hershel Walker’s Biggest Achievement in college football

Herschel Walker’s most significant achievements in points were during his college football career at the University of Georgia. He earned the Heisman Trophy in 1982 as a junior and finished his college career with 5,259 rushing yards and 49 total touchdowns. He also earned numerous other awards and honors, including being a three-time consensus All-American and winning the Maxwell Award as the nation’s top collegiate player. In his professional football career, Herschel Walker had a total of 84 touchdowns and 514 points scored.

 

Christian Herschel – son of Cindy Grossman and  Herschel Walker

Cindy Grossman and Herschel’s love story began in a training room where they were both recovering from track injuries. Introduced by Cindy’s sister, who was a member of Herschel’s squad, the two hit it off immediately and became a couple in no time. After dating for a few years, Herschel proposed to Cindy, and she eagerly accepted. They tied the knot in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family in March 1983.

Their son Christian was born in 1999, and although Herschel struggled with Dissociative Identity Disorder, he remained involved in his son’s life despite not being in a position to fight for custody. Cindy ultimately filed for divorce after nearly two decades of marriage, with the  media speculating Herschel’s mental illness as  a prominent reason.

Christian grew up under his mother’s care and faced challenges with stuttering, which led to bullying at school. However, he found solace in cheerleading, which he pursued instead of following in his father’s footsteps as a football player. Despite facing prejudice for participating in a sport perceived as female-dominated, Christian’s parents encouraged him to pursue his passion.

Christian has since gained notoriety for his political views, including his admiration for former US President Donald Trump and opposition to Black Lives Matter activities. He has been criticized for his comments, but he remains steadfast in his beliefs as a Christian conservative populist and free-speech radical.

Although Cindy and Herschel’s marriage ended, they remain a family and are frequently seen cheering on their son’s athletic cheerleading career. Christian is a high-achieving cheerleader, and his parents’ support has undoubtedly played a role in his success.

 

 How Cindy Grossman coped with husband’s mental illness

Cindy’s ex-husband Herschel’s mental illness, characterized by sudden and uncontrollable violent outbursts orchestrated by one of his alter egos, posed a grave threat to her life. Although he had never acted on his threat to shoot her, he had made repeated threats while she was carrying their child. During a therapy session, he disclosed his previous suicide attempt, but Cindy was unaware of his condition and simply believed he had a troubled mind.

It wasn’t until later that Cindy discovered that her husband was suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). She vividly recalls the distinctive personalities and voices of her husband’s various alters, with even his physical appearance changing along with them. According to her, one of his alters was charming and affectionate, claiming that this was the one she had married, while the other alter would claim that Cindy was not his spouse.

According to reports, Walker is said to have Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously referred to as multiple personality disorder, which Grossman claimed became evident during their marriage. In 2008, Grossman admitted to ABC News that she was unaware of what Walker was going through when he shifted from a football career to ballet and the military. Walker disclosed in his book, Breaking Free, that he had a mental illness, but it wasn’t until he saw a therapist that the issue was diagnosed. During their therapy sessions, Walker’s therapist, Jerry Mungadze, stated that he met with Walker’s alternate personalities, who would come out and say things like, “I am so-and-so. I’m here to tell you Herschel is not doing too good,” before disappearing back into him. Grossman also recounted an incident while she was pregnant, claiming that her then-husband told her to “close the door” because he was having bad thoughts and thinking about hurting her.

When did Cindy DeAngelis Grossman and Herschel Walker get divorced?

Herschel Walker on his mental illness

Herschel Walker has been open about his struggles with dissociative identity disorder (DID), which was formerly known as multiple personality disorder. In his 2008 book “Breaking Free: My Life with Dissociative Identity Disorder,” Walker revealed that he had been experiencing symptoms of DID since childhood, including blackouts and mood swings. DID is a condition in which a person’s sense of identity is fragmented, resulting in the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities.

According to Walker, his DID was likely caused by repeated physical and emotional abuse he experienced as a child. He sought treatment in the late 1990s and was eventually diagnosed with the disorder. He has since become an advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken publicly about his experiences with DID.

Walker has credited his faith, family, and therapy for helping him manage his symptoms and maintain a successful life and career. He has also said that exercise and physical activity have been crucial in his ongoing battle with his mental health condition. Through his advocacy and openness about his struggles, Walker has helped to raise awareness about DID and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

 Is Herschel Walker’s mental illness cured?

Though Walker has given statements that he has been healed, it’s important to note that dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a complex and chronic condition that does not have a cure. However, with proper treatment, individuals with DID can manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.

Herschel Walker has been open about his experiences with DID and the treatment he has received for the condition. He has said that he has been able to manage his symptoms through a combination of therapy, medication, and physical exercise. In interviews, he has spoken about the importance of seeking treatment and taking care of one’s mental health.

It’s important to realize that recovery from DID is a long and often difficult process, and individuals with the disorder may continue to experience symptoms throughout their lives. However, with the right support and treatment, many people with DID are able to lead successful and fulfilling lives.

 

 Herschel Walker – Children

Throughout his life, Herschel Walker has fathered a total of four children – one daughter and three sons. His first child, Christian Walker, was born in 1999 to his ex-wife Cindy DeAngelis Grossman. The other three children were reportedly born to different women. Walker has confirmed the existence of all his children and stated that he loves and supports them. He also clarified that he never denied his children and confirmed their existence when he was appointed to the President’s Council on Sports Fitness and Nutrition, but he chose not to use them as political props during his campaign.

 

Herschel Walker – Net Worth, Earnings and Achievements

Although Herschel Walker has also competed in bobsledding at the 1992 Olympic Games, as well as MMA events and taekwondo, he is most famous for his football career, which spanned 14 years in the professional league.

As a running back, he won the Heisman Trophy during his college days and was named the MVP for the New Jersey Generals in 1985. He played for several teams throughout his career, including the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants, earning numerous awards and accolades.

A significant portion of his earnings came from his time on the field, with Walker earning approximately $4 million between 2020 and 2021 alone. In addition, he receives a $100,000 salary from his business, $420,000 from a sports marketing company, and over $730,000 from spokesperson or speaking fees.  Herschel Walker has an overall estimated net worth of $75 million.

Throughout his career, he earned significant earnings from his professional football career, including his contracts with teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings. He also made money from endorsement deals and various business ventures, including his own fitness program, which he continues to promote. Additionally, he has had a successful career in mixed martial arts, which has likely contributed to his overall earnings.