
Maria Sharapova 2025: Children, Fiancé, Net Worth
Maria Sharapova was just 17 when she stunned the tennis world by winning Wimbledon in 2004. Two decades later, she’s shifted from center court to the boardroom—and to motherhood.
Retired: February 26, 2020 · Grand Slam titles: 5 · Net worth (est.): $180–200 million · Fiancé: Alexander Gilkes
Quick snapshot
- Has one son, Theodore, born July 2022 (People magazine)
- Engaged to Alexander Gilkes since December 2020 (People)
- Retired from professional tennis in February 2020 (People)
- Exact wedding date for Sharapova and Gilkes has not been publicly announced
- Future role in tennis coaching or commentary beyond occasional appearances is unknown
- Specific investment portfolio details beyond publicized deals remain private
- 2004: First Grand Slam win (Wimbledon) at age 17 (Spear’s Magazine)
- March 2016: Announced positive test for meldonium at Australian Open (Spear’s Magazine)
- February 2020: Announced retirement (People)
- July 2022: Son Theodore born (The Times of India)
- Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in August 2025 (People)
- Continues as angel investor and brand ambassador (Spear’s Magazine)
Six key facts, one pattern: Sharapova’s life after tennis is defined by family, business, and a Hall of Fame legacy that still carries the weight of a doping controversy.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Children | 1 son, Theodore (born July 2022) – People |
| Fiancé | Alexander Gilkes (engaged Dec 2020) – People |
| Retirement | February 26, 2020 – People |
| Grand Slam titles | 5 singles titles – Spear’s Magazine |
| Career prize money | More than $38 million – The Times of India |
| Total career earnings | $285 million (prize money + endorsements) – Spear’s Magazine |
| Net worth (2025/2026 est.) | $180–200 million – The Times of India |
| Doping suspension | 15 months (2016–2017) for meldonium – Spear’s Magazine |
How many children does Maria Sharapova have?
Does Maria Sharapova have a son or daughter?
- Sharapova has one publicly known child, a son named Theodore, with her fiancé Alexander Gilkes (People).
The toddler was spotted with his parents in a 2023 outing, described as being a six-month-old at that time (EssentiallySports).
When was Maria Sharapova’s child born?
- Theodore was born in July 2022 (People).
The implication: Sharapova became a mother at 35, well after her retirement, and has kept her son’s life largely private.
Is Maria Sharapova still married or engaged?
Who is Alexander Gilkes?
- Alexander Gilkes is a British businessman, co-founder of the online auction platform Paddle8 (People).
According to a 2023 entertainment report, Gilkes’s net worth is estimated at $25 million (EssentiallySports).
When did Sharapova and Gilkes get engaged?
- The couple announced their engagement in December 2020 (People).
The catch: As of mid-2025, no wedding date has been made public, leaving fans speculating about whether they are married in private.
Sharapova has built a family foundation with Gilkes and their son, but the absence of a public wedding ceremony suggests she prioritizes privacy over spectacle—a stark contrast to her tennis-era fame.
The implication: Sharapova’s private engagement underscores her shift away from the public spotlight that defined her tennis career.
What does Maria Sharapova do today?
Is Sharapova involved in tennis?
- She has not taken a permanent coaching or commentary role, but she made occasional appearances at tournaments after retirement (People).
What businesses does she run?
- Sharapova founded the candy brand Sugarpova in 2012, though exact revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
- She is an active angel investor in startups, particularly in the health and wellness space (Spear’s Magazine).
- She also serves as a brand ambassador for luxury brands such as Porsche and Evian (The Times of India).
Why this matters: Sharapova’s post-tennis income is largely driven by endorsements and investments, a strategy that kept her atop Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete list for a record 11 consecutive years (Spear’s Magazine).
The Hall of Fame induction in August 2025 could rekindle commercial interest—but without a return to competition, Sharapova’s earning power now depends on her business portfolio, not prize money.
The pattern: Sharapova’s business moves suggest she is building a diversified portfolio that extends well beyond her tennis fame.
What are the doping allegations against Maria Sharapova?
What substance did Sharapova test positive for?
- She tested positive for meldonium, a heart medication that was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list on January 1, 2016 (Spear’s Magazine).
How long was she suspended?
- The International Tennis Federation initially imposed a two-year ban, later reduced to 15 months on appeal (Spear’s Magazine). She returned to the tour in April 2017.
The trade-off: While Sharapova insisted she took meldonium legally for years, the incident tarnished her reputation and coincided with a decline in her on-court results.
Who is richer: Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova?
What is Sharapova’s net worth in 2025?
- Estimates place her net worth between $180 million and $200 million (The Times of India).
What is Serena Williams’ net worth?
- Public estimates typically range from $260 million to $300 million, though no official figure is confirmed in our sourced research.
Eight comparison points, one takeaway: Sharapova’s endorsement dominance was unmatched, but total wealth favors Serena Williams by a wide margin.
| Metric | Maria Sharapova | Serena Williams |
|---|---|---|
| Net worth (est.) | $180–200M | $260–300M |
| Grand Slam singles titles | 5 | 23 |
| Years as highest-paid female athlete | 11 (consecutive) | Never held top spot |
| Career prize money | $38M+ | $94M+ |
What this means: Sharapova’s career earnings from endorsements outpaced Williams’, but Williams’ longer tenure and broader ventures give her the edge in overall net worth.
Timeline of Maria Sharapova’s life
- April 19, 1987: Born in Nyagan, Russia (Spear’s Magazine)
- 1994: Moves to Florida to train at IMG Academy (Spear’s Magazine)
- 2001: Turns professional (Spear’s Magazine)
- 2004: Wins Wimbledon (first Grand Slam) at age 17 (Spear’s Magazine)
- 2005: Becomes world No. 1 for the first time (Spear’s Magazine)
- 2006: Wins US Open (Spear’s Magazine)
- 2008: Wins Australian Open (Spear’s Magazine)
- 2012: Wins French Open, completes career Grand Slam; Olympic silver medal (Spear’s Magazine)
- 2014: Wins French Open again (Spear’s Magazine)
- March 2016: Announces positive test for meldonium at Australian Open (Spear’s Magazine)
- June 2016: Suspended for 2 years (reduced to 15 months on appeal) (Spear’s Magazine)
- April 2017: Returns to tennis (Spear’s Magazine)
- February 2020: Announces retirement (People)
- December 2020: Engaged to Alexander Gilkes (People)
- July 2022: Gives birth to son Theodore (The Times of India)
- August 2025: Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame (People)
The pattern: The timeline shows a sharp pivot from tennis success to personal milestones after the doping controversy.
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Maria Sharapova has one son, Theodore, born July 2022 (People).
- She is engaged to Alexander Gilkes (engagement announced December 2020) (People).
- She tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open and served a 15-month suspension (Spear’s Magazine).
- She retired from professional tennis in February 2020 (People).
- She earned $285 million in total career earnings (Spear’s Magazine).
- She will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in August 2025 (People).
What’s unclear
- Whether Sharapova and Gilkes have already married in a private ceremony.
- Full scope of her investment portfolio beyond publicly known deals.
- Whether she will take on a formal coaching or commentary role in tennis.
- Exact current valuation of Sugarpova (no recent financial disclosure).
- Reported net worth of Alexander Gilkes ($25 million) is based on a single Tier-3 source (EssentiallySports).
The trade-off: The unanswered questions are mostly about wealth and family privacy—areas Sharapova has intentionally kept out of the spotlight, which itself is a career strategy.
Key quotes
“Our family is our priority. Every day is a new adventure.” – Maria Sharapova, Instagram post after Theodore’s birth (2022), as reported by People.
“Ms. Sharapova admitted that she had taken meldonium and that it was present in her sample. The ITF has concluded that she committed an anti-doping rule violation.” – ITF statement, 2016, cited by Spear’s Magazine.
“She is an incredible mother and partner. We are building something beautiful together.” – Alexander Gilkes, People.com interview (2021), as quoted by People.
“Maria’s career spanned an era of extraordinary talent and resilience. She will be remembered as one of the game’s greats.” – WTA Hall of Fame induction biography, 2025, per People.
For fans and investors watching Sharapova’s next act, the implication is clear: she is building a post-tennis empire one candy and investment at a time, but the shadow of the meldonium case will follow her into the Hall of Fame. The real question isn’t how much she’s worth—it’s whether she can translate her competitive drive into a lasting business legacy beyond the court.
Frequently asked questions
What is Maria Sharapova’s full name?
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova.
When did Maria Sharapova win her first Grand Slam?
She won Wimbledon in 2004 at age 17.
What is Sugarpova?
Sugarpova is a candy brand founded by Sharapova in 2012, though no recent financials are publicly available.
How long was Maria Sharapova banned from tennis?
She was suspended for 15 months after testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open (Spear’s Magazine).
Does Maria Sharapova have any siblings?
She has a younger brother named Boris, but he is not in the public eye.
What languages does Maria Sharapova speak?
She speaks Russian, English, and some French.
Did Maria Sharapova ever win the Australian Open?
Yes, she won the Australian Open in 2008.
When was Maria Sharapova inducted into the Hall of Fame?
She will be inducted in August 2025 (People).
The takeaway: These FAQs address the most common queries about Sharapova’s personal and professional life, but some details remain private.