Irish Formula One guru Eddie Jordan dies at 76 in Cape Town

The world of Formula 1 lost a legend in his own right on Thursday morning after Eddie Jordan died at the age of 76. 

Jordan’s family confirmed that he had battled cancer for a year before his death. 

The former Jordan team owner and media personality died in Cape Town.

"Eddie passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of 20th March 2025 at the age of 76, after battling with an aggressive form of prostate cancer for the past 12 months,” his family said in a statement.

“EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went. We all have a huge hole missing without his presence.

“He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow.”

The 76-year-old was diagnosed with prostate and bladder cancer last year, according to an F1 source. He ran the Jordan Grand Prix team from 1991 to 2005, and thereafter presented for BBC’s F1 coverage. 

Of all his success on the race track and on screen, Jordan will most notably be remembered as the man who gave Michael Schumacher his first opportunity in Formula 1. Schumacher would go on to become the greatest F1 driver ever. 

Last month, Jordan spoke on a podcast, TalkSport, and spoke about his struggle with cancer and how he was not himself.

“Sorry guys, just a small thing, thank you. I’ve just come out of getting chemotherapy, and I’m not 100 percent together here guys. I’m just not myself at this moment in time. I’m a little all over the place, so please forgive me,” Jordan told the host.

AFP reports that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Eddie Jordan.

“With his inexhaustible energy he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times.

“Eddie has been a protagonist of an era of F1, and he will be deeply missed. In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula One family are with his family and loved ones.”