Bode Miller’s wife, Morgan Miller, is urging parents to take water safety seriously as she marked eight years since the drowning death of the couple’s daughter, Emmy. On Wednesday, June 11, Morgan, 39, shared a throwback photo of Emmy in a hospital room on her Instagram Story and reflected on the importance of prevention. In a follow-up post, she highlighted a message from swimming instructor and aquatic behavior specialist Karen Chavez, who said water safety education is shared not out of judgment, but because drowning is a devastating and preventable tragedy.
Morgan and Bode’s lives changed in June 2018, when Emmy died at 19 months old after a drowning accident. In a 2021 interview with CBS This Morning, Morgan described finding Emmy floating face down in the family pool, jumping in to pull her out, and starting CPR. She said the memory replays in her mind at night and that the experience happened “so fast,” underscoring how quickly drowning can occur.
Since Emmy’s death, both parents have used their public platforms to advocate for stronger water safety awareness. They have repeatedly shared practical advice aimed at helping families prevent similar tragedies. In a recent appearance on the Today show, the couple spoke about steps parents can take to reduce the risk around pools and other bodies of water. Morgan emphasized that children should learn essential water skills early, saying that if a child can crawl, they should be able to float, and if they can walk, they should be able to swim.
Morgan also encouraged families to consider swim lessons for children as early as 12 months old. She acknowledged that young children may resist lessons at first, but said safety must remain the priority. To illustrate her point, she compared swim lessons to car seats, noting that children may cry and protest when being buckled in, yet parents still do it because it protects them.
The Millers’ advocacy has become part of their healing process and a way to honor Emmy’s memory. Their message aligns with a broader push from parents and advocates who have experienced drowning losses and are now working to educate others. Water safety experts say early instruction, constant supervision, barriers around pools, and learning basic survival skills can all help reduce danger.
Morgan’s latest post serves as both a personal remembrance and a public warning, reminding parents that drowning can happen in moments and that prevention matters. By sharing Emmy’s story again on the anniversary of her death, she continued her effort to turn private grief into awareness that could help save other children’s lives.
