JPR Williams Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, Weight, Death, Biography & More

JPR Williams (born March 2, 1949 – died January 8, 2024, Aged: 74 years old), better known as John Peter Rhys Williams, was a Welsh rugby union player who became one of the greatest full-backs of all time. He was also an orthopedic surgeon who balanced his medical career with his sporting achievements. He died on January 8, 2024, at the age of 74, after a short illness.

Early Life and Education

JPR was born on March 2, 1949, in Bridgend, Wales, to Peter and Margaret Williams, both doctors. He had three siblings: Mike, Phil, and Chris. He attended Bridgend Boys’ Grammar School and then Millfield School in Somerset, where he excelled in both rugby and tennis. He won the British Junior Tennis title at Wimbledon in 1966, beating David Lloyd in the final. However, he chose to pursue rugby and medicine instead of a professional tennis career.

He studied medicine at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, qualifying as a physician in 1973. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1980. In 1986, he was appointed a consultant in trauma and orthopedic surgery at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.

JPR Williams Wiki/Bio

Name	JPR Williams
Born	2 March 1949
Died	8 January 2024
Spouse	Scilla Williams
Children	Lauren Williams, Peter Williams, Annie Williams
Parents	Margaret Williams, Peter Williams
Siblings	Mike Williams, Phil Williams, Chris Williams
Height	1.85 m
Wikipedia	J._P._R._Williams
Homepage	newsunzip.com

Rugby Career

JPR Williams made his debut for Wales in 1969, aged 19, and went on to earn 55 caps for his country, five as captain. He was a key member of the Welsh team that dominated the Five Nations Championship in the 1970s, winning three Grand Slams in 1971, 1976, and 1978. He was also part of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974, winning eight Test caps and playing a vital role in both series victories. He was known for his fearless attacking style, his solid defense, and his ability to turn defense into attack with his counter-attacking runs. He was also a reliable goal-kicker, scoring 36 points for Wales and three for the Lions.

He played club rugby for Bridgend, London Welsh, and Tondu, as well as a few games for Natal in South Africa. He continued to play amateur rugby until 2003 when he retired at the age of 54. He also served as the president of the Bridgend Ravens, his former club.

He was widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation and one of the greatest full-backs ever. He was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. He was also awarded the MBE in 1977 for his services to rugby.

Parents and Siblings

JPR Williams was born to Margaret and Peter Williams, both doctors, who supported him throughout his life. He had three brothers: Mike, Phil, and Chris, who also pursued careers in medicine.

Physical Stats

Height (approx.)	In Meters: 1.85 m. In Centimetres: 185 cm.
Weight (approx.)	In Kilograms: 75 kg.
Hair Color	Grey.
Eye Color	White

Net Worth and Income Sources

JPR Williams had an estimated net worth of between $500,000 and $1 million before he died in 2024 He earned his income from his rugby career, which was amateur at the time, and his profession as an orthopedic surgeon. He was estimated to earn around $100,000 per year from rugby, including salaries, bonuses, and add-ons. As a highly experienced and qualified surgeon, his earnings were projected to be around $200,000 per year

Nationality, Ethnicity and Religion

JPR Williams was a Welsh national, born and raised in Bridgend, Wales. He was of British ethnicity and had a distinctive appearance with his long hair and sideburns. He did not publicly disclose his religious beliefs, but he was educated at Millfield School, which is a Christian institution.

Cause of Death

JPR died peacefully on January 8, 2024, at the age of 74, after a short illness caused by bacterial meningitis. He was surrounded by his loving wife and four children at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. His death was announced by his former club, Bridgend Ravens, and confirmed by his family. The rugby world paid tribute to him as a legend and a hero, who left a lasting legacy on the sport and the medical field.

Controversies

Williams was not a stranger to controversies, as he often played with a fierce and uncompromising style that sometimes crossed the line of legality. One of his most infamous incidents was when he was the victim of a brutal face stamp by the All-Black John Ashworth in 1978, during a club match between Bridgend and New Zealand. The wound on his cheek required 30 stitches, administered on the touchline by his father, but Williams returned to the field and finished the game.

Another controversial moment was when he was involved in a brawl with the French players in the 1977 Five Nations match in Paris, after he had been tackled late by Jean-Pierre Rives. Williams retaliated by punching Rives, sparking a mass fight that saw several players sent off. Williams escaped punishment but later admitted that he had lost his temper and regretted his actions.

Williams also courted controversy with his outspoken views on the modern game, especially the professional era. He was critical of the increased use of kicking, the lack of flair and creativity, and the excessive physicality and injuries. He also lamented the loss of the amateur spirit and the camaraderie between players. He once said: “I don’t think I would have enjoyed playing in the modern game. It’s too structured, too predictable, too boring.”.

Social Works

Despite his hard-hitting reputation on the field, Williams was a compassionate and generous person off it. He was involved in various social works and charitable causes, using his fame and influence to raise awareness and funds for various issues. Some of his notable social works include:

• Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009, along with other rugby legends, to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). The expedition raised over £250,000 for the charity, which supports vulnerable children and families.
• Supporting the Wooden Spoon charity, which uses rugby to improve the lives of disadvantaged and disabled children and young people. Williams was a patron and ambassador of the charity and participated in several events and campaigns to promote its work.

• Donating his rugby memorabilia, including his jerseys, caps, and medals, to the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, which supports players who have been severely injured while playing rugby in Wales. Williams said that he wanted to give something back to the game that had given him so much and to help those who were less fortunate than him.

Awards

JPR Williams received numerous awards and honors for his achievements and contributions to rugby and society. Some of his most notable awards include:

• Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1977, for his services to rugby.
• Inductee of the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2013, for his outstanding career and legacy as one of the greatest full-backs of all time.
• Inductee of the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, for his excellence and impact as a Welsh sportsman.
• Welsh Sports Personality of the Year in 1976, for his stellar performances and leadership for Wales and the Lions.
• BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, for his remarkable and inspiring achievements in rugby and medicine.

Personal Life, Spouse & Kids

JPR married Scilla Williams, a nurse, in 1978. They had four children: Lauren, Peter, Annie, and Tom. His children inherited his sporting talent, as Lauren and Annie represented Wales in hockey, and Peter excelled in golf. He was also a keen sailor and skier.

JPR Williams was a Welsh rugby union player and an orthopedic surgeon. He was one of the greatest full-backs of all time, winning three Grand Slams with Wales and two-Test series with the Lions. He was also a successful tennis player in his youth, winning the British Junior title at Wimbledon in 1966. He studied medicine at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London and became a consultant in trauma and orthopedic surgery in Bridgend. He died on January 8, 2024, at the age of 74, after a short illness caused by bacterial meningitis.