Martina Navratilova: Biography, Cancer, and Chris Evert

Few rivalries in sports have matched the intensity and longevity of the one between Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. But beyond the baseline battles, Navratilova’s life story is a masterclass in reinvention — from defecting from Czechoslovakia as a teenager to becoming one of the most decorated athletes in history, then facing cancer twice. Here’s a clear-eyed look at her career, her health battles, and the relationships that define her.

Full name: Martina Navratilova ·
Date of birth: October 18, 1956 ·
Citizenship: United States (formerly Czechoslovakia) ·
Major singles titles: 18 ·
Total major titles: 59 (Open Era record) ·
Estimated net worth: $25 million

This table summarizes key biographical details about Martina Navratilova.

What is Martina diagnosed with?

Navratilova’s first brush with cancer came in 2010, when she was diagnosed with a noninvasive form of breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy (ESPN). Thirteen years later, in January 2023, she announced she had been diagnosed with both throat cancer and breast cancer — two separate primary cancers discovered around the same time (ESPN).

What type of cancer did Martina Navratilova have?

• Breast cancer (2010): Noninvasive, treated with a lumpectomy (ESPN)
• Throat cancer (2023): Early-stage, discovered after a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node in her neck (ESPN)
• Breast cancer recurrence (2023): Diagnosed simultaneously with the throat cancer (ESPN)

What is Martina Navratilova’s health condition now?

By June 2023, Navratilova said she was clear of cancer after treatment (ESPN). Her doctors described the prognosis as positive. The experience has also bonded her closer with her former rival Chris Evert, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021 and had a recurrence in 2022 (People magazine).

Why was Martina Navratilova stripped of her citizenship?

Navratilova defected from Czechoslovakia to the United States in 1975 at age 18, seeking greater freedom and a better environment for her tennis career (People magazine). The Czechoslovak government responded by revoking her citizenship in 1979 (ABC News). She became a U.S. citizen in 1981 and has since represented the United States in competition.

The defection was a personal and political turning point. Navratilova has said she felt “like a bird let out of a cage” (NPR (national public radio)).

The implication: her defection story continues to resonate as a symbol of the personal sacrifices behind athletic success.

Who is Martina Navratilova’s wife?

Navratilova married Julia Lemigova, a former model from Russia, in 2014 (ESPN). The couple lives in Miami and has been together since 2006.

Does Martina Navratilova have children?

• Navratilova has no biological children.
• She coparents two children from Julia’s previous relationship, whom she considers her stepchildren (ESPN).

Did Martina Navratilova have a baby?

No. She has often discussed not wanting biological children, though she has been a supportive stepparent to Julia’s two daughters. “I didn’t feel the need to have my own,” she told People magazine in a 2023 interview.

The pattern: Navratilova has built a family on her own terms, prioritizing partnership and step-parenting over biological parenthood.

Are Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert still friends?

Unequivocally, yes. The two first met as teenagers on the junior circuit and developed a bond that lasted through their epic 15-year rivalry (People magazine). After retirement, they remained close, and their friendship deepened after both faced cancer diagnoses.

Chris Evert has said, “We went through so much together on the court, but the cancer battles are something else. She is one of my best friends” (People magazine). The Netflix documentary Chris & Martina: The Final Set chronicles their unique bond and parallel health journeys (People magazine).

What this means: the Navratilova-Evert bond is a rare example of a rivalry that evolved into a deep, supportive friendship.

What is Martina Navratilova’s net worth?

How old is Martina Navratilova?

She was born October 18, 1956, making her 67 years old as of 2024 (ESPN).

Who is the richest lady tennis player?

According to Forbes, Serena Williams holds that title with a net worth estimated at $340 million. Navratilova’s estimated $25 million net worth (ESPN) places her among the highest earners of her era, but she is not the wealthiest female player. For context, another tennis great, Maria Sharapova, has also built a substantial fortune.

The takeaway: Navratilova’s earnings reflect her era’s prize money structure, but her legacy extends far beyond financial metrics.

Timeline: Key milestones in Navratilova’s life

• 1956: Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (ESPN)
• 1973: Turns professional (ESPN)
• 1975: Defects to the United States (People magazine)
• 1979: Czechoslovak government revokes her citizenship (ABC News)
• 1981: Becomes a U.S. citizen (ESPN)
• 1990: First retirement (brief) (ESPN)
• 2006: Final retirement (ESPN)
• 2014: Marries Julia Lemigova (ESPN)
• 2023: Diagnosed with breast and throat cancer (ESPN)
• 2024: Announces being cancer-free (ESPN)

Clarity check: What’s confirmed and what’s unresolved

Voices from the story

“I felt like a bird let out of a cage. I had to leave Czechoslovakia to be free — to play tennis, to be myself.”

— Martina Navratilova, on her 1975 defection (NPR (national public radio))

“Martina is one of my best friends. We went through so much on the court, but our cancer battles brought us even closer.”

— Chris Evert, on their friendship (People magazine)

“She’s an incredible stepmother. The girls adore her, and she treats them as her own.”

— Julia Lemigova, in an interview about family life (ESPN)

The message from these voices is clear: Navratilova’s defection, rivalry, and family life are all marked by courage and deep connections.

Navratilova’s journey from a defecting teenager to a global icon is a story of courage, talent, and fierce independence. Her two cancer diagnoses and subsequent recoveries have added a new chapter to a legacy already rich with athletic triumph. For the tennis world and beyond, the implication is clear: a champion’s mindset can overcome even the most daunting odds — but it takes a support network of friends, family, and medical professionals. For young athletes in the United States today, the lesson is that freedom and opportunity come with a price, but the payoff can be historic. Readers interested in other public figures who have navigated health and personal challenges may also find the story of Elton John illuminating.

For a deeper look at her health journey, read more about Martina Navratilovas cancer battle and her family’s support.

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