Who Is Ilona Maher? Age, Does She Have A Wife, And The Gender Controversy Explained

Ilona Maher, the 28-year-old American rugby sensation and social media figure, is once again making headlines across the United States. Known for her Olympic achievements and unapologetic personality, Maher is currently trending due to a viral TikTok post that addressed the scrutiny she faces over her body, gender identity, and personal life.

As public curiosity grows, questions about her age, relationship status, and recent gender-related controversy have dominated online searches.

Ilona Maher's Age and Athletic Background

Born on 12 August 1996 in Burlington, Vermont, Ilona Maher is 28 years old. She began her athletic journey playing softball, basketball, and field hockey before discovering rugby at the age of 17. Encouraged by her father, she pursued the sport competitively and quickly made a name for herself on the national stage.

Maher graduated from Quinnipiac University with a degree in nursing and later earned an MBA from DeVry University. Despite her academic credentials, her professional focus shifted to rugby, where she has flourished as one of Team USA's standout players.

Maher's Rugby Career and Olympic Success

Maher made her international debut with the USA Rugby Sevens team in 2018 and represented the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Most recently, she was part of the squad that secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, helping raise the profile of women's rugby in America.

Earlier in 2025, Maher signed a short-term contract with Bristol Bears Women in England's Premiership Women's Rugby. Off the field, she has also become a media personality, featuring on the digital cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and amassing millions of followers across Instagram and TikTok.

Is Ilona Maher Married or in a Relationship?

One of the most searched questions surrounding Ilona Maher concerns her relationship status. As of July 2025, Maher is not publicly known to be married or in a relationship. Despite widespread speculation and fan curiosity, there is no confirmed information that she has a wife or identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

She has kept her private life relatively low-key, choosing instead to focus on her sporting career and advocacy work.

Addressing the Gender Controversy

Maher recently went viral after responding to online trolls who questioned her gender and body type. In a TikTok video shared in mid-July, she tackled the stigma around female strength and addressed comments about her Body Mass Index (BMI), saying:

'BMI doesn't tell you what I can do. It doesn't tell you what I can do on the field. How fit I am. It's just a couple of numbers put together," she said. "It doesn't tell you how much muscle I have, or anything like that. So yeah, I do have a BMI of 30. I am considered overweight.'

The video came in response to a wave of sexist and transphobic attacks, with some users making false claims about her identity. Maher's strong rebuttal quickly gained traction, positioning her as a powerful voice against body shaming and gender-based discrimination in sports.

A Voice for Body Positivity and Female Athletes

Maher has become a leading advocate for body positivity, especially among female athletes. She frequently challenges the narrow standards of beauty and femininity, championing strength, confidence, and self-acceptance. Her messages have resonated with fans globally, helping shift conversations about what women in sport should look like.