Neil Robertson is widely regarded as the finest snooker player ever produced outside the British Isles. The Australian became world champion in 2010, reached the number one ranking, and is the only non-UK-born player to complete the sport’s prestigious Triple Crown. His career, spanning more than two decades, combines extraordinary break-building skill with a trophy cabinet that includes 26 ranking titles.
Born in Melbourne on 11 February 1982, Robertson turned professional in 1998 and has since compiled over 900 century breaks, including five maximum 147s. His attacking style and long-potting ability have made him a fan favourite worldwide. Beyond the table, questions about his family life, health, and even his hair have kept him in the public conversation.
This article brings together the verified facts about Robertson’s career, personal life, and the rumours that surround him, drawing on official sources and biographical records.
Who Is Neil Robertson? A Snooker Legend from Down Under
Key Insights
- Robertson is the greatest non-British player in snooker history, according to career titles and ranking milestones.
- His hair has been a recurring topic of online rumour; he has addressed it directly on Instagram, stating it is natural.
- He is married to Mille Fjelldal, and they have two children, Alexander and Penelope.
- A stretcher incident at the 2022 UK Championship was caused by a severe ear infection, not a chronic illness.
- He is the only player born outside the UK to complete the Triple Crown (World Championship, UK Championship, Masters).
- His career century count exceeds 900, placing him among the most prolific break-builders in history.
Snapshot Facts
| Field | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Neil Robertson | — |
| Born | 11 February 1982, Melbourne, Australia | Age 43 as of 2025 |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | — |
| Spouse | Mille Fjelldal | Married August 2021 |
| Children | Two (Alexander, Penelope) | Named in multiple biographical sources |
| World Ranking | 2nd | As of late August 2026 (World Snooker Tour) |
| Career Centuries | 900+ | As of 2025 |
| Net Worth | ~£7.2 million (estimate) | Speculative; not confirmed by Robertson |
| Hair | Natural | Confirmed by Robertson via social media |
What Are Neil Robertson’s Greatest Career Achievements?
Robertson’s breakthrough came at the 2010 World Championship, where he defeated Graeme Dott 18–13 in the final to become the first Australian to win the sport’s biggest prize. That victory also made him the first player from outside the UK to win the world title since 1980.
Triple Crown and Ranking Titles
He is one of only 11 players to have won all three Triple Crown events. His UK Championship titles came in 2013, 2015, and 2020, while he won the Masters in 2012 and again in 2022. In total, Robertson has claimed 26 ranking titles, a tally that places him among the most successful players in the modern era.
Century-Making and Maximum Breaks
Robertson’s break-building is historic. He has compiled more than 900 century breaks in professional competition, one of the highest totals ever recorded. He has also made five official maximum 147 breaks, showcasing his ability to clear the table under pressure.
In the 2013–14 season, Robertson became the first player to compile 100 century breaks in a single season. He repeated the feat in the 2014 calendar year, cementing his reputation as one of the game’s most prolific break-builders.
World Number One and Awards
Robertson reached the world number one ranking for the first time in 2010 and has held the position multiple times since. In January 2025, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to snooker, a rare honour for a professional cueist.
Who Is Neil Robertson’s Wife and Does He Have Children?
Meeting Mille Fjelldal
Robertson met Norwegian Mille Fjelldal in 2008. The couple dated for more than a decade before marrying in August 2021. Fjelldal has been a regular presence at tournaments and is often seen supporting him from the audience.
Children
The couple have two children. Multiple biographical sources name them as Alexander and Penelope. Robertson has spoken in interviews about the balance between professional snooker and family life, though he keeps details of his children’s lives largely private.
While Robertson shares occasional glimpses of family life on social media, he does not publicly disclose detailed information about his children. The names Alexander and Penelope appear in biographical records but are not routinely confirmed by the player himself.
Does Neil Robertson Have a Health Issue? Separating Fact from Rumor
The 2022 Stretcher Incident
At the 2022 UK Championship, Robertson was taken from the arena on a stretcher after collapsing backstage. The cause was later confirmed as a severe ear infection known as labyrinthitis, which affects balance and can cause extreme vertigo and nausea. He was hospitalised as a precaution and recovered fully, returning to competition shortly afterward.
Is There a Chronic Illness?
No credible source has reported that Robertson suffers from any long-term or chronic medical condition. The stretcher event was a one-off acute episode. Aside from routine minor ailments, Robertson’s health is considered normal for a professional athlete of his age.
What About His Hair?
Online speculation about Robertson’s hair — whether it is a wig, transplant, or naturally styled — has circulated for years. Robertson has addressed the topic directly on his Instagram account, stating that his hair is real and that he has never had a transplant. No medical evidence contradicts this, and the rumours are widely regarded as unfounded.
Neither Robertson’s hair nor his health should be considered controversial. The hair rumours stem from online speculation without evidence, and the 2022 stretcher incident was a treatable ear infection, not a sign of serious illness. Both topics have been clarified by the player or by verified news reports.
Neil Robertson: Career Timeline
- 1982 — Born in Melbourne, Australia. Source
- 1998 — Turns professional. Source
- 2010 — Wins the World Championship, becoming the first Australian to do so. Source
- 2012 — Wins the Masters for the first time.
- 2013 — Wins the UK Championship; becomes the first player to make 100 centuries in a single season.
- 2015 — Wins a second UK Championship.
- 2020 — Wins a third UK Championship.
- 2022 — Stretcher incident at the UK Championship due to labyrinthitis (ear infection). Source
- 2025 — Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM); continues active tour career.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Neil Robertson?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| He is married to Mille Fjelldal (married August 2021). | Net worth: No verified figure exists. Estimates range around £7.2 million, but Robertson has not confirmed any number. |
| He has two children, named Alexander and Penelope in biographical records. | Hair: Robertson says it is natural. No medical verification exists, but no evidence contradicts his statement. |
| He won the World Championship in 2010 and completed the Triple Crown. | Future career plans: No retirement announcement has been made. |
| His height is 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in). | — |
| The 2022 stretcher incident was caused by a severe ear infection (labyrinthitis). | — |
Neil Robertson: Place in Snooker History
Robertson is widely regarded as the greatest player to ever come from outside the United Kingdom. His combination of long-potting, break-building, and competitive resilience has drawn comparisons with legends such as Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Hendry, though he remains the only non-British player to complete the Triple Crown. His 26 ranking titles and 900-plus centuries place him firmly in the all-time top tier of the sport.
As of 2025, Robertson remains active on the World Snooker Tour, regularly competing in the sport’s biggest events. He continues to be ranked inside the top 16 and is considered a contender in every tournament he enters.
Sources and Verified Information
The most reliable biographical information on Robertson comes from Wikipedia and the official World Snooker Tour profile. The WPBSA player page provides verified career statistics, including ranking titles and centuries. The 2022 stretcher incident was reported by BBC Sport, which confirmed the ear infection diagnosis. Robertson himself has addressed the hair question on his official Instagram account.
“Robertson is one of the best long-potters and break-builders in snooker history.”
— WPBSA player profile
“He is the only non-UK-born player to complete snooker’s Triple Crown.”
— Wikipedia biography
Summary: The Key Takeaway on Neil Robertson
Neil Robertson is a world-class snooker champion, a devoted family man, and a player whose career statistics speak for themselves. The rumours about his health and hair have been addressed by credible sources and by the player himself. For readers interested in the careers of other elite sports figures, you may also find the profile of Martina Navratilova – Full Biography informative, as well as the detailed breakdown of Willie Mullins – Age, Net Worth, Horses and Stables Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neil Robertson
What illness does Neil Robertson have?
Robertson has not publicly disclosed any chronic illness. In 2022, he was taken to hospital from the UK Championship due to a severe ear infection (labyrinthitis), which affected his balance.
Is Neil Robertson hair real?
Yes, Robertson has confirmed via social media that his hair is real and has made jokes about the rumours. No medical evidence suggests otherwise.
Why was Neil Robertson on a stretcher?
He was stretchered out of the 2022 UK Championship due to an acute ear infection that caused severe vertigo and nausea. He recovered fully.
How many centuries has Neil Robertson made?
As of 2025, Robertson has made over 900 century breaks in professional competition, one of the highest totals in history.
What is Neil Robertson’s net worth?
There is no verified net worth figure. Independent estimates range from around £7.2 million, but these are speculative and not confirmed by Robertson or his representatives.
Is Neil Robertson married?
Yes, he married Mille Fjelldal in August 2021. The couple met in 2008.
Does Neil Robertson have children?
Yes, he has two children. Biographical sources name them as Alexander and Penelope.
What is Neil Robertson’s highest break?
His highest break is a maximum 147, which he has achieved five times in official competition.
How tall is Neil Robertson?
Robertson is 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) tall.
Has Neil Robertson won a world championship?
Yes, he won the World Championship in 2010, defeating Graeme Dott 18–13 in the final.
Victoria Winslow is Editor-in-Chief at ShowbizUK.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, editorial standards, publication decisions, source review and content quality across the publication.