11 sports stars with big age gaps to partner including 49-year difference

Golf star Tommy Fleetwood and wife Clare have one of sport's biggest age gaps

The sporting world, just like the wider world, is not immune to relationships with significant age gaps between partners. Some prominent figures from across sports and across nationalities have dated or married individuals more than 10 years their junior or senior. Indeed, in some cases, the age difference is significantly greater.

We have taken a closer look at some of those relationships, which cover tennis, golf, F1, the NFL and more. While the sporting figure is the older party in most examples, that isn't always the case. Here is a selection of relationships, including more than one where an individual has a partner young enough to be their grandchild.

Former World Cup golden boot winner Ronaldo has four children with different partners, including a son with his first wife, Milene Domingues. That marriage lasted four years, and he was in several other relationships before meeting his second wife, Celina Locks. The couple, who married in 2023, have a 14-year age gap, with Ronaldo turning 50 this year and businesswoman Celina celebrating her 36th birthday in March.

NBA legend Jordan has three children with his first wife, Juanita Vanoy, but the couple divorced in 2006. He later married model Yvette Prieto in 2013, when he was 50 and she was 35. The couple have twin daughters, born in 2014.

Tennis icon Martina Navratilova married her partner, former Miss USSR Julia Lemigova, in 2014. The couple had been together for several years before their engagement and have now been married for more than a decade. 70-year-old Navratilova and 54-year-old Lemigova adopted two sons in 2024, while Julia has two daughters from a previous relationship and a son who died in infancy.

Get tournament schedules, scores, players updates and majors news plus selected offers and competitions

I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family.

You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info.

Baseball star Jeter and his model wife Hannah started dating in 2012 and married four years later. During his playing days, the New York Yankees shortstop was romantically linked with celebrities including singer Mariah Carey and actress Jordana Brewster. Derek and Hannah have four children together - three daughters and one son.