Jonny Wilkinson is one of rugby’s greatest players. He is known for his incredible career and his famous drop goal that won England the 2003 Rugby World Cup. But behind this sports legend is his wife, Shelley Jenkins. Their relationship is a beautiful story of love and partnership, which we’ll talk about later. Now, let’s take a closer look at Jonny’s wife, including Jonny’s net worth, career, family, and more.
Who is Jonny Wilkinson?
Before we discuss Jonny’s wife, let’s briefly talk about him. Jonathan Peter Wilkinson is a retired rugby union player and a hero in England. He was born on May 25, 1979, and is known as one of the best rugby players ever.
Jonny was born in Surrey and grew up in Farnham. He went to Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire. He got a scholarship to study at the University of Durham but decided to become a professional rugby player in 1997 instead. He started his career with the Newcastle Falcons.
Jonny, a fly-half, made his debut for England in 1998 when he was just 18 years old. He is famous for scoring the winning drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final against Australia, leading England to its first and only World Cup victory.
Jonny Wilkinson’s Wife
Shelley Jenkins is the wife of Jonny Wilkinson. She likes to keep a low profile but has always been a strong and supportive part of Jonny’s life.
On October 21, 2013, Jonny married Shelley, his girlfriend of eight years, in a small, private ceremony in Bandol, near Toulon on the French Riviera. Only two guests attended: Jonny’s mother and Shelley’s twin sister. The mayor of Bandol, Christian Palix, officiated the wedding and mentioned that the couple is highly respected in the community.
Jonny has talked about his struggles with mental health after the World Cup, especially when injuries kept him from playing. However, meeting Shelley marked a positive change in his life. They met in 2005, shortly after Jonny ended his relationship with Sky Sports presenter Diana Stewart. At that time, Shelley, who comes from a wealthy family, was working as a cocktail waitress in Majorca with her twin sister, Tracey.
In a 2020 interview with ‘The Sun,’ Jonny was asked what he would save from a burning building. He replied, “As long as my wife Shelley and child were OK, that’s all that matters.” When asked about his celebrity crush, he said, “My crush will always be my wife.”
Jonny Wilkinson’s Net Worth
After becoming one of the world’s biggest rugby stars, Jonny Wilkinson’s bank balance has grown significantly. During his impressive career with England and the Lions, Wilkinson scored over 1000 points for England and an amazing 2,049 points in 182 games for Newcastle Falcons.
His most famous moment came in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia, where he scored the winning kick for England. The game had gone into overtime after a dramatic 80 minutes, with the Australian team fighting hard against a late English comeback. But Wilkinson, England’s No. 10, decided the match with a perfect drop-goal, thrilling fans both in the stadium and back home.
Even though he retired in 2014, Wilkinson’s earning power has not slowed down. Like many former sports stars, Wilkinson became a pundit after retiring and has worked for Sky Sports and ITV. He has also written five books, including the bestseller “Jonny: My Autobiography,” which was released in 2011.
Additionally, he launched an online men’s fashion label called Fineside, aiming to provide quality British streetwear to customers across the country.
Because of all these ventures, Jonny Wilkinson’s estimated net worth in 2024 is $21 million.
Jonny Wilkinson’s Career
Jonny Wilkinson began his rugby career at Newcastle School of Rugby, competing for a spot with experienced players like Inga Tuigamala and Alan Tait. He quickly rose to prominence, joining the England Test squad in March 1998. Wilkinson’s international debut came against Ireland in April 1998.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Wilkinson became a key player for both England and Newcastle Falcons. He played a crucial role in England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup victory, scoring the winning drop goal in the final against Australia.
Injuries plagued Wilkinson’s later career, but he continued to make significant contributions, including leading Toulon to multiple titles in the European Rugby Champions Cup and the Top 14.
In May 2014, Wilkinson announced his retirement from all rugby, leaving behind a legacy as one of the sport’s greatest players. His leadership, humility, and unmatched kicking ability earned him respect both on and off the field.
Jonny Wilkinson’s Age
Jonny Wilkinson is 45 years old now. He started playing for the English rugby team when he was 18.
Jonny Wilkinson’s Children
Jonny Wilkinson and Shelley have a child together. Their child was born in 2018. They like to stay out of the spotlight, but they did go to Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding when Shelley was pregnant.
Jonny has talked about not wanting his kids to become athletes like him. He hopes they’ll approach life differently, especially considering his struggles with mental health.
In a 2018 interview with ‘The Sun’, the 44-year-old former fly-half said he’s genuinely happy now and that his life has changed a lot in the past six years.
Jonny Wilkinson’s Family
Jonny Wilkinson comes from a sporty family. His big brother Mark used to play for Newcastle too. Mark played in 16 matches for the team from 2002 to 2005, mostly as a centre. Jonny’s father, Phil, used to play rugby and cricket, while his mother, Philippa, was into squash and played at the county level.
5 Surprising Facts about Jonny Wilkinson
Here are five surprising facts about Jonny Wilkinson:
- He’s a good writer too. Wilkinson wrote many books, like his life story, where he talks about his life and job.
- Wilkinson does lots of charity work.
- In 2003, Jonny received an OBE (Order of the British Empire).
- He really likes helping and teaching young rugby players.
- He is still working in rugby as a commentator and analyst.
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