Maria Sharapova is a former Russian professional tennis player, born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, now part of Russia.
She is of Russian ethnicity, with possible Belarusian ancestry through her parents, Yelena Petrovna (Pomyatinskaya) and Yuri Vicktorovich Sharapov, who moved from Gomel, Belarus, to Siberia following the Chornobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.
Max Verstappen, with a height of 5′ 11″ (180 cm), and Maria Sharapova, who stands at 6ft 1 ¼ (186.1 cm), were seen together at the Circuit de Monaco on May 27, 2023, as Verstappen drove the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 and Sharapova presented him with the Pirelli award during the Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco in Monte-Carlo, Monaco (Credit: Cristiano Barni / Shutterstock)
Sharapova began playing tennis at four and quickly showed a natural talent. She moved to the United States at 6 to train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida.
“Both of my parents are actually from Belarus, and because of the Chornobyl explosion and my mother was pregnant with me at the time, they moved to Siberia, so I was born there. At the age of two, we moved to Sochi, a much more comfortable city, and that’s where I started playing tennis,” Sharapova said in an interview on the Never Stand Still podcast.
“At the age of five, I went to this little clinic in Moscow that was held by Martina Navratilova, and she told my father we need to get out of Russia. These circumstances for an athlete are much better in the US, particularly in Florida, and my father never looked back. He talked to my mom. She took a huge chance, and my father and I went to Florida on a plane without her,” Sharapova added.
“In hindsight, I think those are the years that shape your story. I was so lucky that I did fall in love with this sport with hitting forehands and backhands,” Maria said.
Does Maria Sharapova have American citizenship?
At 6, Maria Sharapova attended a tennis school in Russia before being suggested to move to the United States and train under renowned coach Nick Bollettieri. This led her to relocate to Florida in 1994.
Maria Sharapova, a Russian tennis player who never pursued American citizenship, attributes her success and identity to her Russian roots (Credit: Cristiano Barni / Shutterstock)
Despite living in the US, Sharapova never pursued American citizenship, explaining that her decision was influenced by her family environment, rich Russian culture, and the mentality of never giving up. She attributed her success and identity to her Russian roots.
Surely I would have taken American citizenship if I really wanted it, but in reality I have never asked myself this problem, talking to my family and my team.
In the end it is a matter of the family environment and the rich culture one has.I am a life experience that I think back to and in general I was shaped according to the Russian culture when I was little, I am not referring only to the nation but also to the mentality and tenacity, I acquired the attitude of never giving up and for this reason I have decided to stay alone with Russian citizenship.”
Sharapova turned professional in 2001, quickly becoming one of the world’s top players.
Maria Sharapova’s decision to turn professional at the tender age of 14 showcased her unwavering dedication and remarkable talent, setting her on a path that would solidify her status as a tennis prodigy (Credit: Francesco Panunzio / Shutterstock)
She won her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2004 Wimbledon Championships and won five more Grand Slam singles titles throughout her career.
She also won the Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Maria Sharapova’s Nike tennis shoes on display at the Rafa Nadal Museum and Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre in Costa Mujeres, Mexico (Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock)
Sharapova retired from professional tennis in 2020, but she remains a popular figure in the world of sports and fashion. She is also an inspiration to many young women around the world.
The astonishingly tall tennis player was one of the game’s leading contenders in the early 21st century and reportedly earned $300 million in her tennis career.
At the 9th annual Breakthrough Prize ceremony, held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California, on April 15, 2023, Maria Sharapova turned heads in a breathtaking Alexandre Vauthier Spring Summer 2023 Haute Couture dress (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
As of 2024, Maria Sharapova, a former Russian professional tennis player, has a net worth of $180 million.
Maria Sharapova: Facts, Rumors, and Everything in Between
| What is Maria Sharapova's net worth? | Maria Sharapova is a former Russian professional tennis player who has an estimated net worth of $180 million dollars as of 2024. |
|---|---|
| Full Name: | Maria Yuryevna Sharapova |
| Born: | Maria Sharapova was born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Russia) |
| Husbands: | Maria Sharapova has had a colorful dating history. She was engaged to NBA player Sasha Vujacic from 2010 to 2012, and she has also been in relationships with fellow tennis player Grigor Dimitrov, television producer Charlie Ebersol, tennis player Andy Roddick, Spanish model Andrés Velencoso, and Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine. In December 2020, she announced her engagement to British businessman Alexander Gilkes. |
| Kids: | Former tennis star Maria Sharapova and her boyfriend, Alexander Gilkes, have welcomed their first child, a son named Theodore. The couple announced the news on Instagram on July 1, 2022. |
| Weight: | Maria Sharapova is rumored to weigh around 130 pounds, which is equivalent to approximately 59 kilograms. |
| Shoe Size: | Maria Sharapova wears a US shoe size 10, which translates to approximately a UK size 7.5, a European size 41-42, and an Australian size 8.5. |
| Is Maria Sharapova short? | No, Maria Sharapova is not considered short. With a height of 6ft 1 ¼ (186.1 cm), she is significantly taller than the average height for women in most countries. In fact, she is considered tall by general standards. |
| Nationality: | Maria Sharapova, despite her long-term residence in the United States, remains a Russian citizen and has expressed no intention of pursuing American citizenship. Her decision is influenced by her strong connection to her Russian heritage and the values instilled in her by her family. |
| Source of Wealth: | She was one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world, and her earnings have come from a variety of sources, including prize money, endorsements, and business ventures. |
| Ethnicity/Race: | She is of Russian ethnicity. Her parents, Yuri Sharapov and Yelena Sharapova, are both from Gomel, Byelorussian SSR. They left their homeland shortly before Maria was born due to the regional effects of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. |
| Can Maria Sharapova speak Russian? | Yes, Maria Sharapova can speak Russian. She was born in Nyagan, Russia, and she moved to the United States when she was 6 years old. However, she still speaks Russian fluently, and she often uses it in interviews and on social media. |
| What did Maria Sharapova invest in on Shark Tank? | Maria Sharapova appeared on Shark Tank in 2020 as a guest shark. She invested in Bala Bangles, a fitness company that makes wearable weights. The company's founders, Bobby Holloway and David Kislevitz, were seeking $400,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in their business. Maria Sharapova negotiated a deal to invest in the company Bala Bangles, proposing a higher stake of 30% in exchange for her $400,000 investment. The co-founders initially offered a 10% stake but later agreed to give away 30% for a total investment of $900,000 when Sharapova teamed up with Daymond John, Lori Greiner, and Mark Cuban. |
Maria Sharapova’s Most Inspiring Quotes
“It’s easy to impress me. I don’t need a fancy party to be happy. Just good friends, good food, and good laughs.” – Maria Sharapova
“Without my dad, I wouldn’t be here.” – Maria Sharapova
“I learned there’s a big difference between juniors and the pros.” – Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova wears a black St. John outfit for the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards on March 21, 2023, in Hollywood, California (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
“You control your own wins and losses.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love to eat, and if I could, I’d eat every second of my life.” – Maria Sharapova
“If you’re able to help some people and make them smile and make them realize that life is good, then that’s worth so much more than buying a pair of shoes.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’d love to open a tennis school for children in my hometown of Sochi.” – Maria Sharapova
“If I can create something that allows a woman to feel better – that is the true reward.” – Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova’s triumph at Wimbledon in 2004, securing her first Grand Slam singles title, not only established her as a dominant presence in the tennis realm but also marked the beginning of a remarkable career adorned with numerous accomplishments (Credit: John Barry de Nicola / Shutterstock)
“I’m just like every other girl who likes to shop, likes to look good, likes to spend time with friends.” – Maria Sharapova
“Well, fans always root for the underdog.” – Maria Sharapova
“I don’t worry about what my opponent is doing.” – Maria Sharapova
“As an individual, I take every match seriously, no matter who I’m going to play.” – Maria Sharapova
“I can’t please everyone. That’s not in my J.D., you know, not in my job description.” – Maria Sharapova
Billie Jean King stands at a height of 5ft 4 ¼ (163.2 cm), while Maria Sharapova stands significantly taller at 6ft 1 ¼ (186.1 cm), highlighting a notable difference in their heights (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
“I mean, I think I’m doing a lot better than other people that have had shoulder surgery in their careers. Some people have never come back.” – Maria Sharapova
“I definitely feel Russian inside, even when I’m in America I feel Russian.” – Maria Sharapova
“I try not to hit a swing volley and run back. So my swing volley is kind of that transition to the net. It’s been one of my favorite shots ever since I was young.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m not a huge gym person, so I try to stay away from the gym. But I love to run on the beach or go for a walk. It’s better than riding a stationary bike.” – Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova made a stylish appearance at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars party in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday, March 12, donning an Emilia Wickstead outfit that showcased her impeccable fashion sense (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / JTMPhotos / Media Punch / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
“I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so early. And maybe they can achieve it, too, just to get that in their minds.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m focused on going out every day and doing my best.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’d like to have a family.” – Maria Sharapova
“When you look good, you feel good. Confidence with what you’re wearing is very important. If you feel good, you will always perform your best without worrying about anything.” – Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova towers above with her statuesque height of 6ft 1 ¼ (186.1 cm), while the captivating Camilla Belle stands gracefully at 5ft 7 ½ (171.5 cm) (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
“My main goal is to stay healthy because when you’re injured you realize how lucky you are to have your health.” – Maria Sharapova
“I want to be different. If everyone is wearing black, I want to be wearing red.” – Maria Sharapova
“My parents had a normal life in Russia and they could have easily kept living a normal life, working and raising a child in Russia.” – Maria Sharapova
“No matter what you study, the thing that you know best is what you grew up with.” – Maria Sharapova
“When you’re going through tough moments, you never know when you’re going to have good moments.” – Maria Sharapova
“I always have a Sharpie because usually when someone asks me for an autograph, they don’t have a pen. I carry one in my purse, as well as in my tennis bag.” – Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova’s exceptional talent, marketability, and endorsement deals with top brands propelled her beyond the realm of sports, elevating her to the status of one of the highest-paid female athletes worldwide, a remarkable achievement resulting from both her on-court success and lucrative partnerships (Credit: Pdrocha / Shutterstock)
“I know my roots and I cannot forget the journey I made.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’ve been playing against older and stronger competition my whole life. It has made me a better tennis player and able to play against this kind of level despite their strength and experience.” – Maria Sharapova
“Sometimes I feel my arm is like a swan’s neck – so weak.” – Maria Sharapova
“You have your bad moments in your career and your good moments. And it’s been a good ride so far, but it’s not over yet.” – Maria Sharapova
“I look forward to the challenges.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m an athlete. I go out there and fight my heart out.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love competing.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m just a very tough person when I go on the court, and I really don’t want to lose.” – Maria Sharapova
“Sometimes when you’re putting the work in it just seems so, so hard, and you never know when that work’s going to pay off.” – Maria Sharapova
“I still love things that you don’t even need to pay for. Going to the beach and being around five of your friends and having a good time means so much more than going out and spending hundreds of dollars.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’ve been very competitive by nature from a young age, whether it was eating a bowl of pasta faster than somebody else, or always wanting to be the first one in line.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m always on the go. I love doing things until I hit rock bottom. Then I need my 12 hours of sleep, and I’m on the go again.” – Maria Sharapova
“When I need to push myself, I think of all those nicely polished trophies waiting to be lifted up by the winner – and how that winner might be me.” – Maria Sharapova
“If I’m nervous, it means I had to work hard to get there, whether it’s playing in a tournament or speaking at an event. So I try to stop and be proud of getting to live in that moment.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m not the next anyone, I’m the first Maria Sharapova.” – Maria Sharapova
“I don’t follow other players or the tournaments they play. I have my own schedule and do my own thing. I never really think, ‘Oh, I want to be or play like so-and-so.’ I just like being myself.” – Maria Sharapova
“I think it’s so cool to be tall. Even when I’m not wearing heels people tell me I’m tall and I always take it as a complement. The good thing is I can always see everybody in the room.” – Maria Sharapova
“I have had lots of luck in my career but there has also been a lot of hard work.” – Maria Sharapova
“Whenever I have friends over, we end up eating and talking and losing track of time, and, once in a while, singing karaoke. It reminds me of the family meals we had in Russia, which always lasted a very long time. That’s a tradition I miss.” – Maria Sharapova
“Whether you win a match or lose a match, in terms of your emotions, it’s important to be pretty levelheaded.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m an afternoon tea type of girl. I come from a Russian background where we love our teas. So between lunch and dinner after training, I come home and I love a nice cup of tea with jam in it, as we drink it there. Black English Breakfast with raspberry jam is my favorite.” – Maria Sharapova
“A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn’t have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things they never thought possible.” – Maria Sharapova
“I never really had an idol.” – Maria Sharapova
“Since I’m constantly in the sun, I use sunscreen daily.” – Maria Sharapova
“I want my handbags and my shoes to be stylish but I want to make sure that they’re versatile. I travel and I have to make sure the pieces I put into my bag can go with a dress or with shorts or jeans.” – Maria Sharapova
“I don’t get to do as much sightseeing as I would like to.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love what I do and I love being an athlete, but I also love all the things that have come with it.” – Maria Sharapova
“My family and I built my whole career from scratch.” – Maria Sharapova
“It’s strange for my friends when they see me on TV and in magazines because the person that they see doing interviews and pictures on the red carpet is not the person that they know.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love getting consumer reports. I think it’s one of my favourite things, studying what people have to say about the product and then trying to make it better.” – Maria Sharapova
“I find a lot of inspiration in street style and watching women walk, the way they wear things and what they’re wearing.” – Maria Sharapova
“It’s always tough when you lose – you’ve worked so hard for that moment and it hasn’t gone the way you wanted. But you have to realise there’s always a bright side, you have to pick yourself up and get ready for the next game.” – Maria Sharapova
“I have always had an interest in fashion and design, and I appreciate style and timelessness within my footwear and accessories both on and off the court.” – Maria Sharapova
“Music is a part of my life all the time – on the plane, before matches, driving out to the court.” – Maria Sharapova
“Ever since I was young, I loved making things and being part of the design process.” – Maria Sharapova
“I help design my own tennis clothes.” – Maria Sharapova
“There’s not many firsts in my career, as I have been a part of many tournaments and fortunate enough to win many.” – Maria Sharapova
“I think when you know what you are going to wear, it fits and it’s great material, then you feel confident in it.” – Maria Sharapova
“I don’t do heavy weights at all.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m never standing still, and that makes my life pretty exciting.” – Maria Sharapova
“I spent a whole year when I was injured just trying to get my arm back to the point where I could hit a tennis ball for more than 30 minutes a day. I’d hit for 15 minutes and it would feel as if my arm was going to fall off.” – Maria Sharapova
“I don’t need many things. I don’t need glamour and attention to be happy. I’m very happy being settled and working my butt off and trying to win grand slams.” – Maria Sharapova
“I don’t spend a lot of my time in the locker room. That’s my least favourite place in the world.” – Maria Sharapova
“I owe a lot to my parents.” – Maria Sharapova
“Through my travels, I find inspiration in street style and how young women create their individual looks and identity.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love to collect modern art.” – Maria Sharapova
“After being on the court for six hours, being on TV is very glamorous and fun for me. But tennis is always going to be my priority. It’s not going to be this thing when all of a sudden TV will get in the way of that.” – Maria Sharapova
“If I loved a guy as much as I love my dog, the guy would be in serious trouble. Because I’m all over that dog, all the time.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love where I’m from. I don’t live there because of the circumstances, but all my family is there. It’s what’s inside, it’s not what’s outside that determines the culture and the feeling.” – Maria Sharapova
“When I make a commitment, I stick to it.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love jotting down ideas for my blog, so I doodle or take notes on all kinds of stuff that inspires me: the people I meet, boutiques I visit, a florist that just gave me a great idea for an interior-design project, things like that.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love street style, seeing how girls wear pieces and how they pair accessories with their outfit. How they pair shoes with a bag and go from day to night and change things up.” – Maria Sharapova
“I have a very big sweet tooth, and I love treating myself to something that I wouldn’t necessarily eat during the tournament, such as a nice-sized cake.” – Maria Sharapova
“I go to yoga classes and work on my core.” – Maria Sharapova
“I hit a ball for a living, but I have that passion to keep learning.” – Maria Sharapova
“I want my tennis to speak for everything.” – Maria Sharapova
“Tennis has given me this wonderful life, and I’m very grateful for it.” – Maria Sharapova
“When I travel, I love speaking to women around the world about the things that inspire them, the fashions they like, what makes something good and what would make it even better.” – Maria Sharapova
“I’m always that annoying person that pulls out the camera in the middle of dinner and starts taking candids.” – Maria Sharapova
“There are so many roads you can take that will lead you the wrong way, that nobody will hear your name.” – Maria Sharapova
“When I’m down or maybe when it’s close in the match, I feel like I’m still in it. I don’t feel like I’m letting down. Mentally, I’m still really, really tough.” – Maria Sharapova
“Of course, everyone knows my story of being born in Russia and moving to the United States at 7. For a few years people would say, ‘Well, she’s living in the United States, but she’s Russian.'” – Maria Sharapova
“There are days when I go out on the court and I feel like I can’t miss a ball.” – Maria Sharapova
“The forehands or backhands don’t mean much after three hours.” – Maria Sharapova
“The more matches I play, the more confident I get.” – Maria Sharapova
“I heard endless conversations between my parents when I was going to sleep about how we would survive, how we would continue. All of them were about trying to make me better.” – Maria Sharapova
“I have a Russian heart.” – Maria Sharapova
“I love yoga. I do yoga when I have time, which is not very often.” – Maria Sharapova
“When I walk through that gate to the court, that’s my escape. I block out everything, good and bad.” – Maria Sharapova
“When you are young, you are a little naive.” – Maria Sharapova
“Since I was young, the artistic expression that fashion embodies has inspired me. It’s a way to communicate oneself.” – Maria Sharapova
“To be honest, everything in my life outside of tennis is great. I’m doing amazing projects that, if I didn’t have time off, I wouldn’t be able to focus on.” – Maria Sharapova
“When you travel so many weeks a year, it’s always nice to have a home-cooked meal.” – Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova’s Stunning ESPY Awards Look: Unveiling the Elegance of Alexander McQueen Footwear
In July 2011, Maria Sharapova and her well-toned legs and hot feet at the 2011 ESPY Awards made us turn green with envy:
Maria Sharapova steps on the red carpet at the 2011 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on July 13, 2011 (Credit: Apega / WENN)
But of course, how envious we were of her tennis-sculpted form just doesn’t compare to how envious we were of her SHOES.
Maria Sharapova showing off her hot legs in an Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011 feather-embellished navy halter dress (Credit: Apega / WENN)
Maria Sharapova teamed her Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011 feather-embellished navy halter dress with an exquisitely beaded sandal from the same collection.
The navy with the gold is a fantastic color combination, and all the rich textures make for one regal-looking shoe. Before you all scramble off in search of these sandals, let me tell you that these aren’t available online.
Maria Sharapova’s sexy feet in exquisitely beaded sandals (Credit: Apega / WENN)