Who is Sarra Kemp?
Sarra Kemp, now known as Lady Sarra Hoy, is a dual-qualified solicitor and the wife of six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy. While she is widely recognized for her marriage to one of Britain’s most accomplished athletes, Sarra’s own life story reveals a woman of considerable professional achievement, resilience, and compassionate advocacy. Born in Scotland in 1984, Sarra has carved a distinctive path as a qualified lawyer, neonatal care advocate, and official Bliss Scotland ambassador. Her journey—from practicing law in Edinburgh to becoming a leading voice for families of premature infants—demonstrates a commitment to public service and personal strength that extends far beyond her husband’s sporting legacy. As of January 2026, Sarra continues to navigate her own serious health challenges while advocating for others facing medical crises.
Sarra Kemp Early Life and Professional Background: Building a Legal Career
Sarra was born in Scotland in 1984, establishing her roots in Edinburgh, where she would build both her legal career and family life. Growing up in Scotland, she pursued a career in law with considerable determination and academic rigor. Sarra qualified as a solicitor in both Scots and English law, a distinction that demonstrates professional versatility across two distinct and independent legal jurisdictions. This dual qualification places her among a select group of legal professionals with expertise spanning Scotland’s unique common law traditions and England’s separate legal system—a credential that reflects both her academic excellence and professional commitment.
Before beginning her family, Sarra worked as a senior lawyer in Edinburgh, establishing herself as a respected legal professional. The Scottish legal system operates independently from the English system, requiring specialized knowledge of Scots law principles, statutory frameworks, and courtroom procedures distinct from those south of the border. Her qualifications in both systems represent significant professional achievement and legal expertise.
Her legal background provided a foundation for the analytical thinking and advocacy skills that would later define her charitable work and public advocacy. The experience gained during her years in legal practice equipped her with the ability to navigate complex situations and communicate effectively with professionals and families alike—skills that would prove invaluable in her later ambassadorial role supporting families in crisis.
Sarra Kemp Married to Sir Chris Hoy: A Partnership Built on Mutual Support
Sarra married Sir Christopher Hoy on 17 April 2010 at the historic St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh’s Old Town. The location held particular significance, as it is one of Scotland’s most iconic religious buildings, reflecting the couple’s deep connection to their hometown and Scottish heritage. Chris has publicly credited Sarra with instrumental support throughout his cycling career.
Image Credit: PA
Following his gold medal victory at the 2012 London Olympics—where he won two gold medals in track cycling—he stated: “Sarra has been the one that has really got me through it all”. This public acknowledgment underscores not only her personal significance in his life but also her role as a steadying presence during the intense pressure of elite Olympic competition.
Quick Timeline:
-
17 April 2010: Marriage at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh
-
2012: Chris wins two Olympic gold medals at London Games; Sarra provides crucial support
-
2014-2017: Sarra becomes neonatal care advocate following premature births of both children
-
June 2025: Both receive Freedom of the City of Edinburgh award
-
January 2026: Sarra continues advocacy work while managing her own health condition
The couple’s partnership has endured for fifteen years, as evidenced by a poignant social media post commemorating their relationship during exceptionally challenging circumstances in 2025. This long-term commitment reflects a partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared values.
View this post on Instagram
Motherhood and the Callum Journey: From Crisis to Advocacy
One of the most defining experiences in Sarra’s life occurred with the premature birth of her son Callum on 29 October 2014. When Callum arrived at just 29 weeks of gestation, weighing only 2 pounds 2 ounces, Sarra’s world fundamentally changed. The pregnancy complications were unexpected and traumatic—she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a serious condition affecting pregnancy that required emergency caesarean delivery.
Understanding Pre-eclampsia: Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, typically after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In Sarra’s case, the condition necessitated immediate delivery to protect both mother and baby.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Son’s Name | Callum |
| Birth Date | 29 October 2014 |
| Gestational Age at Birth | 29 weeks premature |
| Birth Weight | 2 pounds 2 ounces |
| Time in Neonatal Care | 60 days intensive care |
| Cause of Premature Birth | Pre-eclampsia |
| Delivery Method | Emergency caesarean section |
| Current Status | Healthy and thriving |
Callum spent 60 days in intensive neonatal care, during which Sarra had to navigate the profound psychological challenges of having a child on life support. She experienced daily flashbacks and cried “every day for two years” following the experience. In interviews with major publications, Sarra stated: “I would relive it, have flashbacks and cry every day probably for two years. But time is a healer”.
Despite these challenges, Callum not only survived but thrived. Today, he is a healthy and accomplished child, and Sarra is determined not to let his early medical crisis define his identity. She has stated that while her experience with prematurity has shaped her as a person, she is resolved that it will not define her son’s life or future potential.
You May Also Read:
- Miriam Wilcox: Resilience and Recovery Beyond the Spotlight
- Roy Hodges: Biography, Personal Life & Career – The Untold Story of Glenda Jackson’s Ex-Husband
- Taelyn Dobson: The Private Life of Nick Carter’s Stepsister – Biography, Age, Family & Net Worth
Daughter Chloe and Expanding the Family
Sarra and Chris expanded their family with the birth of their daughter, Chloe Rose Carol Hoy, who was born prematurely in September 2017. Chris announced on social media: “Delighted to announce the safe arrival of Chloe Rose Carol Hoy this week! Sarra and Chloe doing really well”. While Chloe’s prematurity was less severe than Callum’s, it further reinforced for Sarra the reality that premature birth could affect their family again, deepening her understanding of the fragility of early infancy.
The couple now has two children, both thriving and representing the successful outcomes that gave Sarra hope during her darkest moments in neonatal units. Her experiences as a mother of premature infants would shape her professional advocacy work for years to come.
Ambassadorial Work with Bliss Scotland: Transforming Personal Crisis into Public Advocacy
Following Callum’s premature birth, Sarra became the official ambassador for Bliss Scotland, the UK’s leading charity supporting families with babies born sick or prematurely. This role allowed Sarra to transform her personal trauma into meaningful advocacy for other families facing similar circumstances. Rather than remaining silent about her experience, she chose to channel her pain into constructive action—a decision that would help hundreds of families navigating neonatal intensive care.
Bliss published a heartfelt letter from Sarra to neonatal staff members, thanking them for their care and highlighting the critical need for continued support and resources for families in crisis. In this letter, dated August 2019, Sarra expressed her gratitude to the professionals who cared for Callum while acknowledging the emotional toll on parents in similar situations.
Sarra’s Advocacy Focus Areas:
-
World Prematurity Day awareness and education
-
Emotional support resources for parents of premature infants
-
Improving access to Bliss Scotland services
-
Raising awareness of neonatal intensive care challenges
-
Advocating for family-centered care in hospitals
In her ambassadorial capacity, Sarra has become an advocate for World Prematurity Day, speaking publicly about the need for emotional support and information for parents of premature infants. She has emphasized that “parents need a lot of emotional support and information about what’s happening with your baby”, a statement grounded in her direct experience. Her advocacy extends beyond awareness; she actively promotes access to Bliss’s services, noting that at the time of Callum’s birth, she “didn’t know I needed that” support, but the charity’s existence and resources made a profound difference in her family’s journey. This realization motivated her to ensure other families would not experience the same information gap.
Health Challenges and Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis: A New Chapter of Resilience
The Hoy family’s life took a dramatic turn in late 2023 when both Sarra and Chris received devastating health diagnoses within weeks of each other. In September 2023, Chris was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. The diagnosis was not made public until February 2024, but in October 2024, Chris revealed the full severity of the condition—that doctors had given him between two and four years to live.
Remarkably, Sarra’s own health crisis came just weeks after Chris’s diagnosis. In November 2023, Sarra was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS)—specifically described as a “very active and aggressive” form of the neurological condition.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term condition of the nervous system affecting the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, the immune system mistakes myelin—the protective sheath around nerve fibres—as a threat and attacks it, causing inflammation and damage. This damage disrupts the ability of different parts of the nervous system to communicate, resulting in symptoms that can affect mobility, vision, balance, and cognitive function. Sarra’s form is described as particularly aggressive, meaning it is progressing at a faster rate than some other MS presentations.
What made Sarra’s diagnosis even more extraordinary was her decision to keep it private while she supported Chris through his cancer treatment. According to Chris’s revelations in interviews, Sarra concealed her diagnosis from her family while they navigated his medical crisis. Chris called Sarra “selfless” for maintaining this silence, choosing to prioritize her family’s emotional wellbeing over addressing her own devastating health challenge. This decision—to absorb her own crisis while supporting a terminally ill spouse—speaks to her character and commitment to her family’s stability during an exceptionally difficult period.
On some days, Sarra’s MS symptoms are so severe she struggles with basic tasks—Chris has recounted that there are days when she struggles to fit a key in the door. The unpredictability and severity of her symptoms reflect the challenging nature of aggressive MS presentations. The couple have chosen to employ low-risk MS treatments, prioritizing her quality of life and autonomy over experimental interventions. Additionally, they have not yet told their two children about Sarra’s MS diagnosis, a decision made to protect them during an already turbulent period marked by their father’s terminal illness.
As of January 2026, Sarra continues to navigate her MS while managing the emotional toll of her husband’s advancing illness and maintaining her commitment to her family and advocacy work.
Public Recognition and the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh
Upon marrying Chris, Sarra assumed the title “Lady Sarra Hoy” following her husband’s knighthood. This formal designation reflects both his services to sport and her own status within Scottish society. In June 2025, Sarra and Chris were both awarded the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh, one of the highest distinctions a city can bestow upon its citizens. This honor recognizes their collective contributions to Edinburgh and Scotland’s cultural, sporting, and humanitarian legacy. The Freedom of the City is a ceremonial honor that has historically been granted to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their communities.
Professional Legacy and Personal Impact
Sarra Kemp’s life story—both her professional achievements and personal resilience—encapsulates themes of extraordinary strength, professional excellence, and deep compassion. From her early career as a dual-qualified solicitor navigating complex legal systems to her advocacy for families of premature infants, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting others through their most difficult moments. Her experience with Callum’s premature birth transformed a personal trauma into a mission to ease the burden for other families facing similar medical crises.
Her work with Bliss Scotland represents more than charity; it represents a deliberate choice to convert personal pain into systemic change—advocating for better resources, improved emotional support, and greater awareness of the challenges facing families of sick and premature infants. In this role, she has influenced policy conversations and supported hundreds of families navigating neonatal care.
Today, as she navigates her own serious neurological condition while supporting a terminally ill spouse and raising two accomplished children, Sarra’s story serves as a testament to human resilience, the power of love and commitment, and the capacity to find meaning and purpose even amid profound personal challenges. While she may be known primarily as Chris Hoy’s wife, Sarra Kemp is equally—and perhaps more significantly—a woman of considerable professional standing, deep emotional strength, and unwavering dedication to her family and community.
You May Explore These Profiles–