Michael Catlett, a 58-year-classic man battling metastatic prostate cancer, died on October 30, 2025, just one week after marrying his partner, Rogina Catlett, in a hospital room ceremony at Sutter Solano Medical Center in Vallejo, California. The emotional wedding, held as his condition rapidly deteriorated, fulfilled a final wish for the couple, according to reports.
Rogina and Michael Catlett had first turn into a couple in 2021. In March 2023, Michael received a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Following chemotherapy treatment, he achieved remission in December of the same year, with symptoms temporarily subsiding. However, his condition soon worsened, leading to the discovery of further tumors and his subsequent admission to the hospital and eventual placement in palliative care.
Palliative care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, aiming to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family, as the disease runs its course.
Rogina Catlett described the importance of honoring their commitment to each other, stating, “In good times and in lousy, love remains.” She emphasized the significance of expressing love fully, even in the face of illness. “When you love someone, you stay until the end. You get the opportunity to express your love. Just because the loved one is sick doesn’t imply you give up. Then it’s not about you anymore, it’s about us both,” she told People magazine.
The couple had originally planned to marry on a beach, but Michael’s declining health made that impossible. Michael expressed feelings of guilt, believing he was disappointing Rogina by being unable to fulfill their initial vision. “I told him that it only matters that we’re together and that I desire to be with him,” Rogina Catlett recalled. “I had waited so long for this moment. It was breathtaking, I just thought, ‘Wow, we’re here and doing it. It’s finally happening, we’re living our dream.’”
Since her husband’s death, Rogina Catlett has been sharing memories of their time together on Instagram, including photos from their first date, where they “laughed for hours.” She reportedly watches the video of their wedding ceremony every evening. “I see Michael pulling me close and I know how happy he was,” she told People. “In that moment, I see us finally becoming one.”
