What Happened to Audrey Leishman?
Audrey Leishman is best known as the wife of Australian professional golfer Marc Leishman and a prominent advocate for sepsis awareness. After a near-fatal battle with sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, and acute respiratory distress syndrome in 2015, she co-founded the Begin Again Foundation to support survivors and educate the public about these life-threatening conditions. She continues her advocacy work, sharing her story to raise vital awareness as recently as June 2026.
Quick Answer
Audrey Leishman, wife of golfer Marc Leishman, nearly died from sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, and acute respiratory distress syndrome in 2015, an experience that left her in an induced coma with a 5% chance of survival. Since her recovery, she has become a dedicated advocate for sepsis awareness, co-founding the Begin Again Foundation. As of June 2026, she continues to actively share her harrowing story and the foundation's mission to save lives and support survivors through financial aid and education.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Naples, Italy; Moved to Virginia Beach
Audrey Leishman was born in Naples, Italy, and moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, at the age of four when her Navy family relocated.
Graduated from The College of William and Mary
Audrey graduated from The College of William and Mary with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Government and Psychology.
Met Marc Leishman
Audrey met professional golfer Marc Leishman at the Green Leafe Cafe in Williamsburg, Virginia, while he was attempting to qualify for a Nationwide (now Korn Ferry) Tour event.
Married Marc Leishman
Audrey married Australian professional golfer Marc Leishman. They would go on to have three children together.
Hospitalized with Life-Threatening Illness
Audrey was admitted to the hospital, initially believing she had the flu, but was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, and sepsis. She was placed in an induced coma.
Returned Home After Recovery
After being in a coma for five days and facing a 5% chance of survival, Audrey recovered enough to return home and began a long rehabilitation process.
Co-founded The Begin Again Foundation
Following her near-death experience, Audrey and Marc Leishman established the Begin Again Foundation to provide support for sepsis, ARDS, and TSS survivors and raise awareness.
Begin Again Foundation Receives Erin K. Flatley Spirit Award
The Begin Again Foundation was the first-ever recipient of Sepsis Alliance's Erin K. Flatley Spirit Award for their tireless work in giving back to the community.
Announced Pregnancy with Third Child
Marc Leishman confirmed that Audrey was healthy enough to get pregnant and they were expecting their third child in mid-July, two years after her health scare.
Gave Birth to Daughter Eva
Audrey and Marc welcomed their third child, a daughter named Eva, completing their family of three children.
Featured in PGA TOUR Magazine Sepsis Awareness Campaign
Audrey and the Begin Again Foundation collaborated with Sepsis Alliance on a national media campaign in PGA TOUR Magazine to raise awareness about sepsis.
Met with Sepsis Survivor Family at Arnold Palmer Invitational
Audrey and Marc Leishman provided a VIP experience for a young sepsis survivor and her family at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, connecting over their shared experiences.
Family Involvement in Marc Leishman's Golf Career
Marc Leishman played with his 13-year-old son Harvey in the Victorian PGA Championship pro-am, showcasing the family's continued involvement in golf.
Shared Sepsis Story in Interview
Audrey Leishman gave an interview, sharing her 2015 sepsis ordeal to raise awareness, particularly in light of recent public discussions about sepsis.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Audrey Leishman's public profile is largely defined by her personal health crisis and subsequent philanthropic endeavors. Born in Naples, Italy, she moved to Virginia Beach at age four and later graduated from The College of William and Mary in 2005 with degrees in Government and Psychology. Before meeting her husband, professional golfer Marc Leishman, in 2007, she worked with mentally ill and developmentally disabled adults and as a Disability Analyst for the Social Security Administration.
The pivotal moment in Audrey's life occurred in March 2015 when she fell critically ill. Initially believing she had the flu, her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to diagnoses of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and sepsis. She was placed in a medically induced coma for five days, with doctors giving her only a 5% chance of survival as her organs began to shut down. Her husband, Marc, withdrew from the Masters Tournament to be by her side.
Audrey's recovery was arduous, involving learning to walk again and dealing with lasting effects such as fatigue, weakness, and PTSD. This near-death experience became the catalyst for a new mission. In 2015, she and Marc co-founded the Begin Again Foundation. The foundation's core mission is to save lives and support survivors by providing financial assistance, educating communities about the signs and symptoms of sepsis and toxic shock syndrome, and supporting children and women in need. They offer $1,000 grants to survivors and bereaved families, and have distributed over $2 million to support sepsis survivors and their communities.
Her advocacy work has been recognized; in 2016, the Begin Again Foundation received the Erin K. Flatley Spirit Award from Sepsis Alliance. Audrey has actively participated in awareness campaigns, including a PGA TOUR Magazine campaign in 2017, and continues to share her story at events and through interviews.
As of June 7, 2026, Audrey Leishman remains deeply committed to the Begin Again Foundation. She recently shared her harrowing experience in an interview on June 5, 2026, in the wake of NASCAR star Kyle Busch's death from sepsis, emphasizing the importance of recognizing early symptoms. She has also written a children's book aimed at helping families understand the warning signs. Her ongoing efforts highlight her dedication to turning a personal tragedy into a powerful platform for public health awareness and support for other survivors.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Audrey Leishman made different choices?