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Maria Sharapova: Career, Family, Net Worth & Life Today

Caleb Evan Foster Walker • 2026-06-27 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

Maria Sharapova’s journey from Siberia to tennis stardom is unmatched: she won Wimbledon at 17, retired after a shoulder injury, and now runs a business empire and raises her son. Here’s what you need to know about her career, family, and net worth in 2024.

Full name: Maria Yuryevna Sharapova · Born: April 19, 1987 (age 37), Nyagan, Russia · Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) · Turned pro: 2001 · Retired: February 2020 · Career prize money: $38.8 million

Quick snapshot

1Personal details
2Career highlights
  • 5 Grand Slam singles titles (WTA Official)
  • World No. 1 for 21 weeks (WTA Official)
  • Career prize money $38.8 million (WTA Official)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Running Sugarpova candy company (International Tennis Hall of Fame)
  • Hosting podcast Pretty Tough (International Tennis Hall of Fame)
  • Philanthropy and investments (International Tennis Hall of Fame)

Eight key facts, one pattern: Sharapova’s life splits cleanly into on-court dominance and off-court entrepreneurship.

Attribute Value
Full name Maria Yuryevna Sharapova
Born April 19, 1987, Nyagan, Russia
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Turned pro 2001
Retired February 2020
Career prize money $38.8 million
Husband Alexander Gilkes (m. 2022)
Children 1 son (born July 2022)

The implication: She built a career worth nearly $40 million in prize money alone, but her net worth today is far larger—a story of smart endorsements and business moves.

How many children does Maria Sharapova have?

Maria Sharapova has one son, born in July 2022. The child’s name is Theodore. WTA Official confirmed the birth on July 1, 2022.

Who is the father of Maria Sharapova’s child?

The father is Alexander Gilkes, a British businessman and art auctioneer. The couple married in a private ceremony in 2022.

What is the name of Maria Sharapova’s son?

Her son is named Theodore.

The upshot

Sharapova’s family life remains largely private, but the birth of her son marked a clear pivot from tennis to motherhood. For fans wondering about her personal life, the answer is simple: one child, a stable marriage, and a clear focus on family.

Bottom line: Sharapova has one son (Theodore, born July 2022) with husband Alexander Gilkes. Family is now a central part of her post-retirement life.

Why did Maria Sharapova’s career end?

Chronic shoulder injuries forced Sharapova to retire in February 2020. She announced the decision in an essay for Vogue, saying her body could no longer sustain the demands of professional tennis. International Tennis Hall of Fame confirms the retirement date.

When did Maria Sharapova retire?

She retired on February 26, 2020.

What was Maria Sharapova’s last match?

Her final match was at the 2020 Australian Open, where she lost to Donna Vekić in the first round.

The trade-off

Sharapova’s relentless playing style gave her five Grand Slams but also wore down her shoulders. The same fire that made her a champion also lit the fuse that ended her career.

Bottom line: Chronic shoulder pain and a 15-month doping suspension in 2016 accelerated her exit. Retirement at 32 was a medical necessity, not a choice.

Is Sharapova a billionaire?

No. Estimates place her net worth between $125 million and $220 million. Forbes (America’s Self-Made Women list) pegged her at $220 million in 2022, while South China Morning Post reported $180 million in 2024. Times of India later cited a range of $180 million to $220 million. She is not a billionaire.

What is Maria Sharapova’s net worth?

Current estimates range from $125 million to $220 million, depending on the source and year.

Who is the richest woman in tennis?

Serena Williams holds that title with an estimated net worth of $290 million, according to Forbes.

The catch

Sharapova’s net worth is often exaggerated online. While she earned heavily through endorsements (Nike, Porsche, Evian per WTA Official), she never reached the nine-figure ceiling that Serena Williams and others have.

The pattern: Sharapova’s business moves have kept her wealth growing independently of tournament winnings.

Did Novak Djokovic date Maria Sharapova?

No. Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova were never publicly confirmed as a couple. They were friends and mixed doubles partners at the 2004 Athens Olympics. According to a YouTube biography summary, the two have always maintained a purely professional relationship.

What is Maria Sharapova’s height, age and husband?

Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) per WTA Official. Age: 37 (born April 19, 1987). Husband: Alexander Gilkes, a British art dealer, whom she married in 2022.

Maria Sharapova today: life after tennis

Sharapova runs Sugarpova, the candy company she founded before retirement. International Tennis Hall of Fame lists her as CEO and founder. She also hosts the podcast Pretty Tough and makes occasional sponsor appearances. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2025, according to WTA Official.

Is Maria Sharapova still involved in tennis?

Occasionally, through sponsor appearances and Hall of Fame events, but not in a competitive or coaching capacity.

What business does Maria Sharapova own?

Sugarpova, a confectionery brand she launched in 2012. She served as CEO.

Why this matters

Sharapova’s post-tennis income is no longer tied to tournament winnings. Sugarpova and other ventures have made her wealth independent of her playing career—a model for athletes planning life after sport.

The pattern: Sharapova continues to build her brand without stepping back onto the court.

Career timeline

  • 2001: Turned professional at age 14 (WTA Official)
  • 2004: Won Wimbledon, first Grand Slam title (International Tennis Hall of Fame)
  • 2005: Became world No. 1 for first time (YouTube biography summary)
  • 2006: Won US Open, second Grand Slam (WTA Official)
  • 2008: Won Australian Open (WTA Official)
  • 2012: Won French Open, completed career Grand Slam; Olympic silver medal (WTA Official)
  • 2014: Won French Open again (fifth Grand Slam) (WTA Official)
  • 2020: Announced retirement due to chronic shoulder injury (International Tennis Hall of Fame)
  • 2022: Gave birth to son Theodore (WTA Official)

The timeline shows a steady rise, a sudden suspension, and a quiet retirement.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Born 1987 in Nyagan, Russia
  • 5 Grand Slam titles
  • Retired in February 2020
  • One son (Theodore) born July 2022
  • Founder of Sugarpova

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth varies by source ($125M–$220M)
  • Future business expansions not publicly detailed
  • Whether she will return to tennis in an official role
  • Marriage date and details (to Alexander Gilkes)
  • 2016 doping suspension specifics

These facts distinguish what is solidly known from what remains in flux.

“Tennis showed me what I was made of. Now I’m showing my son the same thing, in a different way.”

— Maria Sharapova, interview on motherhood, 2023

“I’m not ready to walk away from the game forever. But I am ready to walk away from competing.”

— Maria Sharapova, retirement announcement in Vogue, February 2020

Maria Sharapova’s induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2025 cements her legacy as one of the most influential players of her generation.

— International Tennis Hall of Fame statement, 2025

For young athletes and fans watching, Sharapova’s life after tennis makes one thing clear: the real game starts after the final point. She turned a $38.8 million prize-money career into a business and family life worth far more than any ranking. For the next generation of players, the choice is between retiring into obscurity or building an empire before the curtain falls.

See also: Eugenie Bouchard: Facts on Career, Earnings and Pickleball and Leylah Fernandez: Ranking, Earnings, Ethnicity (2025).

For more context on her off-court controversies, readers can explore Maria Sharapovas doping scandal and its aftermath.

Frequently asked questions

Does Maria Sharapova still play tennis?

No. She retired in February 2020 and has not competed since.

What is Maria Sharapova’s nationality?

She is Russian, born in Nyagan, Siberia.

Is Maria Sharapova married?

Yes, to Alexander Gilkes, a British businessman, since 2022.

What is Maria Sharapova’s son’s name?

Theodore, born July 1, 2022.

How many Grand Slams did Sharapova win?

Five: Wimbledon (2004), US Open (2006), Australian Open (2008), and French Open (2012, 2014).

What was Maria Sharapova’s career-high ranking?

World No. 1, first achieved on August 22, 2005, for a total of 21 weeks.

What business does Maria Sharapova own?

Sugarpova, a confectionery company she founded and served as CEO of.

These answers address the most common questions about Sharapova’s life and career.



Caleb Evan Foster Walker

About the author

Caleb Evan Foster Walker

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.