Martina Navratilova is widely considered one of the most dominant tennis players ever to step on a court. Over a career that spanned more than three decades, she collected 18 Grand Slam singles titles, revolutionized women’s tennis with her athletic serve-and-volley game, and later became a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and cancer awareness. Born in Prague in 1956, she defected to the United States as a teenager and went on to set records that still stand today.
Her personal life has drawn just as much attention as her tennis. She married former Miss USSR Julia Lemigova in 2014, and the couple have four children together. Navratilova has also faced significant health challenges, including two separate cancer diagnoses, and has been open about her recovery. Here is a look at the key facts about her life, career, and legacy.
Who Is Martina Navratilova’s Wife?
- Martina Navratilova is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, holding records for most singles titles (167) and most doubles titles (177) according to the WTA.
- She came out as gay in 1981 and later became a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, marrying former Miss USSR Julia Lemigova in December 2014.
- In 2022 she was diagnosed with breast and throat cancer, and after treatment she announced she was cancer-free in 2024.
- Her rivalry with Chris Evert is one of the most famous in sports history; they met 80 times, with Navratilova holding a 43–37 edge in one source.
- She became a U.S. citizen in 1981 and has been involved in philanthropy and animal rights activism alongside her tennis career.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Martina Navratilova |
| Born | October 18, 1956 (Prague, Czechoslovakia) |
| Nationality | Czech-American |
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Turned pro | 1974 |
| Retired | 2006 (singles) |
| Grand Slam singles titles | 18 |
| Wimbledon titles | 9 (record) |
| Spouse | Julia Lemigova (m. December 2014) |
| Children | Four (two adopted sons, daughters Victoria and Emma) |
| Net worth | ~$25 million (estimated) |
What Is Martina Navratilova’s Net Worth?
How Did She Earn Her Money?
Navratilova’s fortune comes primarily from prize money, endorsement deals, and speaking engagements. Over her career she won 167 singles titles and 177 doubles titles, according to the WTA, making her one of the highest-earning female athletes of her era. In addition to tennis earnings, she has worked as a commentator, authored books, and built a personal brand around motivational speaking and art.
What Is the Estimated Figure?
A 2026 biography source cites Celebrity Net Worth estimating her fortune at around $25 million as of June 2026. Exact figures are not publicly disclosed, and estimates vary depending on the source. The sum reflects decades of tournament winnings, sponsorship contracts with brands such as Nike and Slazenger, and ongoing income from appearances and media work.
Note on Earnings
Navratilova’s career prize money alone exceeds $21 million, a record at the time of her retirement. She also earned significantly from endorsements during her peak in the 1980s, when she was one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
How Many Grand Slams Did Martina Navratilova Win?
Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles Totals
Navratilova won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, a mark that places her among the top players in the history of the sport. Her career totals also include 31 Grand Slam doubles titles and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, for a combined 59 Grand Slam titles overall, according to CNN and the WTA.
Wimbledon Dominance
Her nine Wimbledon singles titles remain a record at the All England Club. She first won the tournament in 1978 and captured her last Wimbledon singles crown in 1990. The longevity of her success on grass is regarded as one of the greatest achievements in tennis.
Rivalry With Chris Evert
Navratilova’s rivalry with Chris Evert is one of the most famous in tennis history. They met 80 times, and Navratilova is credited with a 43–37 head-to-head edge in one source. She defeated Evert in the 1983 US Open final to complete a Career Grand Slam in singles, according to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more on another top tennis talent, see Emma Raducanu – Current WTA Ranking and Career Overview.
Record-Breaking Context
The WTA describes Navratilova as the record holder for 167 singles titles and 177 doubles titles overall. No other player in the Open Era has won more combined titles. Britannica notes that she dominated women’s tennis in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Did Martina Navratilova Have Cancer?
Early-Stage Breast Cancer (2010)
The WTA reports that Navratilova was treated for early-stage breast cancer in 2010. She underwent a lumpectomy and radiation therapy, and the treatment was successful.
Breast and Throat Cancers (2022–2024)
At the end of 2022, she was diagnosed with both breast and throat cancers. She announced in 2024 that she was cancer-free after treatment. In a 2023 interview she stated, “I’m going to be fine. I have a great team.” Her public health journey has raised awareness about early detection and treatment options.
Health Milestones
Navratilova’s two separate cancer diagnoses — early-stage breast cancer in 2010 and both breast and throat cancers in 2022 — were each followed by successful treatment. She has credited regular screenings for catching the first occurrence early.
What Is Martina Navratilova’s Age and Early Life?
Born Martina Šubertová on October 18, 1956 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, she later became known as Martina Navratilova. She started playing tennis at age four under the guidance of her stepfather, a tennis coach. By the time she was a teenager, her talent was unmistakable. She turned professional in 1974 and defected to the United States in 1975, seeking greater freedom and opportunity. For another tennis biography in a similar vein, see Felix Auger-Aliassime – Bio, Ranking, Titles and Personal Life.
- 1956 – Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
- 1975 – Defected to the United States.
- 1978 – Won her first Wimbledon singles title (she would go on to win nine in total).
- 1981 – Came out as gay and became a U.S. citizen.
- 1982 – Achieved her first of seven year-end World No. 1 rankings.
- 1990 – Won her last Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon.
- 2006 – Retired from singles tennis.
- December 2014 – Married Julia Lemigova.
- 2022 – Diagnosed with breast and throat cancers.
- 2024 – Announced she was cancer-free after treatment.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Her Life?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She has been married to Julia Lemigova since December 2014; this is widely reported and confirmed. | Net worth is estimated; exact figures are not publicly disclosed. Estimates range from $25 million to $30 million depending on the source. |
| She has no biological children; confirmed in interviews. | The exact number and names of her adopted children are not consistently reported across all sources. |
| She had breast and throat cancers; announced cancer-free in 2024. | Some match statistics in her rivalry with Chris Evert may vary slightly by source, though the overall head-to-head is well documented. |
What Is Martina Navratilova’s Legacy in Tennis and Beyond?
Navratilova’s 167 singles titles and nine Wimbledon singles titles remain unmatched. She revolutionized women’s tennis by introducing a level of athleticism and a serve-and-volley style that had rarely been seen in the women’s game. Britannica describes her as having dominated women’s tennis in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Beyond tennis, she became a cultural icon. As one of the first openly gay athletes in professional sports, she faced discrimination but later became a symbol of resilience and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Her public cancer battle also raised awareness about early detection and treatment options.
What Have Trusted Sources Said About Martina Navratilova?
“I’m not a role model, I’m just a tennis player who happens to be gay.”
— Martina Navratilova, 1981, on coming out
“I’m going to be fine. I have a great team.”
— Martina Navratilova, 2023 interview about her cancer diagnosis
“We pushed each other to be better.”
— Chris Evert on her rivalry with Navratilova, ESPN documentary
Detailed information on Navratilova’s life and career is available in the Wikipedia biography, her official website, the Britannica entry, and the Biography.com profile.
What Is the Full Picture of Martina Navratilova’s Life?
Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American former tennis player whose career achievements include 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam doubles titles, and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. She married Julia Lemigova in December 2014, and the couple have four children together. After breast and throat cancer diagnoses in 2022, she announced she was cancer-free in 2024. Her estimated net worth is around $25 million, and her legacy extends from tennis records to LGBTQ+ advocacy and health awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Martina Navratilova’s wife?
Martina Navratilova is married to Julia Lemigova, a former Miss USSR. They married in December 2014.
How old is Martina Navratilova?
She was born on October 18, 1956, making her 69 years old.
Does Martina Navratilova have children?
She and her wife Julia Lemigova have four children: two adopted sons and two daughters, Victoria and Emma. She does not have biological children.
What is Martina Navratilova’s relationship with Chris Evert?
They were fierce rivals on the court, competing 80 times (Navratilova leads 43–37 in one source). Off the court, they have mutual respect and friendship.
When did Martina Navratilova start playing tennis?
She started playing tennis at age four under the guidance of her stepfather, who was a tennis coach.
What is Martina Navratilova’s nationality?
She is Czech-American. She was born in Czechoslovakia and became a U.S. citizen in 1981.
How many Grand Slams did Martina Navratilova win in her career?
She won 59 Grand Slam titles in total: 18 in singles, 31 in doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles.
What type of cancer did Martina Navratilova have?
She was treated for early-stage breast cancer in 2010, and later diagnosed with both breast and throat cancers at the end of 2022.
Is Martina Navratilova cancer-free?
Yes, she announced in 2024 that she was cancer-free after treatment for breast and throat cancers.
How many Wimbledon titles did Martina Navratilova win?
She won nine Wimbledon singles titles, a record at the All England Club.
Daniel Mercer is Music & Theatre Correspondent at ShowbizUK.co.uk, covering music, theatre, concerts, West End coverage, festivals, live entertainment and album releases.