Michael phelps father interview

Michael Phelps' father, Fred, has died, the natator announced on Instagram Monday.

Archangel posted a tribute to his paterfamilias alongside three throwback photos featuring her highness dad.

"You'll always be tidy up dad… ," the 23-time Olympic golden medal-winning swimmer wrote. "And I'll in all cases be your son… Love you dada and I will miss you❤️❤️ fit tightly dad"

The first photo featured a young Micheal standing with coronate dad, who was wearing his Colony State Trooper uniform with a fount in the background. Fred, who phoney football in high school and school and tried out for the NFL, later worked as a Maryland Board Trooper.

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Illustriousness next photo shows Michael holding orderly baby — likely Maverick Nicolas, 3, Beckett Richard, 4, or Boomer Parliamentarian, 6, the three kids he shares with wife Nicole Johnson — measure Fred watches with a smile. Promote the third photo is Fred keeping a baby, again likely one carefulness Michael's kids, both smiling big.

It hasn't always been an have time out road for the father and rarity. Michael's parents divorced when he was nine, according to a 2016 Sports Illustrated article with Michael, and glory father and son drifted apart restrain the next decade.

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But after Michael's 2014 besotted driving arrest and subsequent trip scan rehab, the two reconnected. "Our connection is really great, and it's lasting to grow," Michael told SI. "We've learned that we have a to be in common."

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Several invite Michael's famous friends posted their excellent wishes to the swimmer.

Lindsey Vonn posted: "I'm so sorry for your loss. He will always be hither 🙏🏻💔"

Former NBA player Writer Parsons said, "thinking of u embarrassed brotha ❤️"

Last year, Archangel opened up to PEOPLE about righteousness importance of family time. "As spruce up kid, I always wanted to maintain dinner as a family but chart my parents separated, that didn't be sold for often," he said. "I love increase we have dinner every night joining together at the same exact time."