Ilona Maher Biography- Born on August 12, 1996, Ilona Maher is an American rugby union player who participated for the United States in rugby sevens at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2025 Summer Olympics in Paris. Maher made her debut for the country against Japan in 2018 in Paris, France.
Ilona Maher Biography
Jason Kelce has even become a rugby enthusiast thanks to Lisa Maher’s viral TikTok account and strong, rigid arms. At the 2025 Summer Olympics in Paris, Ilona Maher is having the time of her life. In addition to dominating the field, this female rugby sevens star for Team USA is winning people over on the internet. Everything you ought to know about her is provided here! With her series of well-timed comedic bits, poignant commentary on sexism in sports, and vocal support of “all the different body types” as she exposes the treatment she has received for her own athletic build, American rugby player and two-time Olympian Ilona Maher has become one of TikTok’s most popular Olympians.
Ilona Maher is an American rugby union player. She debuted for the United States women’s national rugby union team against Japan in 2018, and has represented United States in rugby sevens at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2025 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Born: 12 August 1996 (age 27 years)
Height: 1.78 m
Weight: 91 kg
Alma mater: Quinnipiac University
Education: Burlington High School
University: Quinnipiac University
Early life
In Burlington, Vermont, on August 12, 1996, Mike and Mieneke Maher welcomed Ilona into the world. Adrianna and Olivia are her sisters, and she is the second daughter of three daughters, including her mother, a nurse. From an early age, Maher was encouraged to participate in sports, such as Little League softball.
Rugby career
After playing field hockey, basketball, and soccer at Burlington High School, Maher joined the South Burlington School Rugby Football Club at the age of 17. Her father, a player for Saint Michael’s College, urged her to give rugby a try. Maher played rugby for a year at Norwich University before being recruited by Quinnipiac University after coach Becky Carlson saw her during a game between the two universities. Maher played center and won three National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) championships after transferring to Quinnipiac. Her three years on the NIRA All-American squad saw her winning the MA Sorensen Award, which is given to the best collegiate women’s rugby player in the country, in 2017.
Maher played rugby sevens with Scion Rugby Academy while she was still a Quinnipiac student. She made an impression on coaches Richie Walker and Emilie Bydwell, who chose her for the US national rugby sevens squad. Maher debuted in a Women’s SVNS competition in Paris in 2018 with the USA Rugby World Cup Sevens squad.
Maher was a Burlington High School student. She received her nursing degree from Quinnipiac University in 2018. In 2022, she also graduated with a master’s in business administration from DeVry University. She delivered a TEDxTalk in 2022 and has promoted body positivity and greater awareness of women’s sports on TikTok thanks to her viral success. She was named a brand ambassador in 2025 for both the new skincare company Medalist, which she co-founded, and Secret deodorant.
Who is rugby star Ilona Maher
American rugby player Ilona Maher, a two-time Olympian, has gained popularity on TikTok. She’s become a popular because of her witty skits, insightful criticism on sexism in sports, and ardent support of body acceptance. She talks candidly about the comments made about her athletic appearance. Despite not having the same professional accomplishments as Maddison Levi of Australia, Ellie Kildunne of Great Britain, or Portia Woodman-Wickliffe of New Zealand, Ilona Maher, a 27-year-old from Vermont, is unquestionably one of the most well-known figures in the Olympic women’s rugby sevens scene, particularly among younger fans.
Ilona Maher hails from Burlington, Vermont, where she played field hockey, basketball, and softball before picking up rugby at 17.
Education
At Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, Maher was a three-time All-America rugby player and graduated with a nursing degree. In 2016–17, she received the MA Sorensen Award, recognizing the nation’s top collegiate women’s rugby player. That year, she led Quinnipiac to consecutive NIRA national championships and an undefeated 7s season. She finished the fall with 19 tries and 15 assists in 11 matches and led the team in scoring as a sophomore with 27 tries and 17 assists.
Maher’s impressive stiff arms during the Paris Olympics have drawn comparisons to NFL running backs Derrick Henry and Marshawn Lynch. Her memorable moves against Japan and Brazil quickly went viral, cementing her place among the standout performers of the Games.
Ilona Maher’s rise to TikTok fame
Maher’s social media fame began at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With over 3 million combined followers on TikTok and Instagram, she has secured endorsement deals with Secret, L’Oréal, and New Era. She’s also launching a skincare line with former college swimmer Ann Ragan Kearns. Initially, it served as a means of disseminating my message and uniting my team, Maher recently told The Guardian. It was successful in getting people to pay attention to and tune in to our sport, particularly in Tokyo.
After then, it started to become a brand-building activity for me. I compete as a female athlete in a very unknown sport, notably in the United States. This is not a lucrative sport.I believe that not many women can have the same aspirations as me—to make sports their careers. Maher has maintained his entertaining throughout the Olympics in Paris, sharing a TikTok video in which he tests the cardboard beds in the Olympic Village and a film parodying “Love Island” that makes fun of the difficulty of finding love in Paris.
As of the latest estimates, Ilona Maher’s net worth is approximately $1.7B million. This figure reflects her earnings from sports, social media
Ilona Maher Salary
Ilona Maher’s salary of approximately $1.5 million showcases her success and value in her profession. As a renowned athlete, this substantial income reflects not only her skills and dedication but also the growing opportunities and recognition in the field of professional sports. In addition to her salary, endorsements, sponsorships, and other revenue streams may contribute to her overall earnings. This significant figure places Ilona Maher among the top earners in her industry, highlighting her achievements and impact on the sports world.
Who is Ilona Maher? Team USA’s rugby star
The US rugby team has secured a spot in the Olympic tournament semifinals for the first time, setting the stage for a shot at a medal in their upcoming match. Meanwhile, in the heart of the Olympic village, fans and fellow athletes are captivated by a rising star named Ilona Maher. Hailing from Burlington, Vermont, Maher excelled in various sports but found her true passion in rugby at the age of 17. She honed her skills at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where she achieved three All-America selections and claimed the prestigious MA Sorensen Award. Maher played a pivotal role in leading Quinnipiac to consecutive NIRA national championships and excelled in 7s rugby.
The Olympics and the first semifinals for team USA
Maher debuted for the United States national team in 2018. Looking ahead to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and now the 2025 Paris Olympics, the US has advanced to the semifinals for the first time in Olympic history and is set to contend for a medal.
Social Media and Public Persona
Ilona Maher is an active presence on social media, with a significant following on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, boasting 1.5 million and 1.6 million followers, respectively. Her content, which offers glimpses into her training, competitions, and personal life, has garnered attention for its engaging nature. In addition to showcasing her athletic abilities, Maher utilizes her online presence to promote body positivity and mental health, delivering candid and motivational messages that resonate with many. At a height of 5-foot-10 and a weight of 200 pounds, Maher challenges conventional beauty norms by embracing her physique and encouraging others to do the same.
TikTok star Maher ‘supercharging’ US Olympic rugby sevens
US women’s rugby sevens forward Ilona Maher, with 1.7 million TikTok followers, is a prominent social media figure at the Paris Games, boosting the sport’s visibility for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 event. Maher’s videos often garner up to five million views, making her a role model for young female sports enthusiasts that event organizers aim to reach out to. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin praised Maher as a standout star of the Games, noting her significant social media following surpassing many well-known figures in Paris. Maher’s influence on social media was further enhanced during the Paris Games, particularly with a TikTok video on body shapes that amassed nearly five million views after the opening ceremony.
Ilona Maher Women Rugby Olympics
Will rugby be in the 2025 Olympics? During the rugby sevens events organised since the launch of the Paris 2025 Olympic Games, the athletes have regularly rung the Bell located on the edge of the Stade de France pitch.
Ilona Maher jason kelce
Jason Kelce is a big fan of the Women’s Olympics Rugby Team. He wore a shirt with Ilona Maher’s face. The shirt was red, white, and blue with cutouts of Maher’s face all over. Jason met Maher and the team, becoming their top fan. Maher suggested he should be a certified “superfan.”
Ilona Maher alex sedrick
Where is Alex Sedrick from? Alex Sedrick has every right to be confident. But even after scoring the game-winning try and conversion to give the U.S. its first ever medal in women’s rugby, the Utah native surprisingly doesn’t feel that way.
Ilona Maher usa rugby women olympics
During the rugby sevens events organised since the launch of the Paris 2025 Olympic Games, the athletes have regularly rung the Bell located on the edge of the Stade de France pitch.
Who is Chase Jackson?
Chase Foster Jackson (née Ealey; born July 20, 1994) is an American track and field athlete specializing in throwing events.
Why did rugby 7s play in the Olympics?
Rugby sevens is fast-paced and intense, played in matches lasting 14 minutes. It is an exceptionally testing version of the sport, in which players make more sprints and score more tries than in rugby union.
Who is Ilona Andrews Husband?
She attended Western Carolina University, majoring in biochemistry and it was there she met her future husband and writing partner, Andrew Gordon.
Who is the coach of the USA women’s rugby 7s team?
Conversation. This weekend, USA Women’s Rugby 7s helped set an attendance record. They’re led by the only female coach in the entire tournament, Emilie Bydwell.
What nationality is Ilona Maher?
PARIS — Ilona Maher, America’s rugby-playing social media sweetheart, walked onto the terrace of Team USA House carrying a sandwich, the United States’ first ever rugby sevens Olympic medal hanging around her neck.
Does USA have a women’s rugby team?
PARIS — In what will go down as a highlight moment from these Olympic Games Paris 2025, Team USA dramatically grabbed the bronze medal in women’s rugby with a jaw-dropping late try by first-time Olympian Alex “Spiff” Sedrick in the final seconds of the game to beat Australia 14-12.
Has US women’s Rugby ever Medaled?
The rugby sevens team, whose stunning defeat of Australia on Tuesday earned the U.S. women their first-ever Olympic rugby medal, got a second win with the donation.
