Miki Berkovich's Family Reveals His Struggle with Severe Dementia

Miki Berkovich, Israeli basketball legend and Israel Prize laureate, has been battling a severe form of dementia in recent years, his family disclosed in the documentary "Miki's Last Shot" aired on August 24, 2026. Berkovich's wife, Shelly, and their three children shared the difficult journey of coping with his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia, a particularly challenging subtype that affects brain cells and leads to cognitive decline.

Shelly described the diagnosis as one of the toughest diseases, while their son Niv explained how it causes memory loss and mental deterioration. Despite Berkovich's optimistic nature, he initially denied the severity of his condition, which deeply affected his family. Their son Roy expressed the pain of seeing their father physically unchanged but mentally altered, and daughter Adi, who lives in the US, emphasized maintaining a positive outlook, reflecting her father's attitude.

The first signs appeared during the COVID-19 pandemic when Berkovich complained of visual disturbances, such as flickering in his eyes and difficulty reading or watching TV. Although eye exams showed no problems, his family noticed worsening symptoms over time. In 2024, during a surprise trip to New York for his 70th birthday, the family observed troubling behavior, including confusion about familiar places and uncertainty about their surroundings.

Adi recounted a poignant moment when she took her father for a walk in New York, and he seemed unsure of the city and overwhelmed by the crowd, marking a clear indication that he was no longer the same person they had known. The family’s revelation sheds light on the personal challenges faced by one of Israel’s greatest sports figures as he confronts this debilitating illness.