Ilona Maher (American Rugby Player) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Rugby Player
Nationality	American
Date of Birth	12/08/1996
Age	29 years
Birthplace	Burlington, Vermont, U.S.

Latest News about Ilona Maher

01/2025

Ilona Maher joined Bristol Bears in England's Premiership Women's Rugby league on a three-month contract, marking her transition from rugby sevens to 15-player rugby union. The demand for tickets to her debut was unprecedented, forcing the club to move the fixture from their regular home stadium to Ashton Gate to accommodate the larger crowd.

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Bio/Wiki

Full Name	Ilona Delsing Rosa Maher
Nickname	Lo
Famous for	Most followed Rugby player on social media and Olympic bronze medallist

Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 10" (178 cm)
Weight	90 Kg (198 lbs)
Eye Color	Brown
Hair Color	Blonde

Educational Qualification(s)

School	Burlington High School, Burlington, Vt.
College/University	Norwich University Quinnipiac University DeVry University
Degrees	Degree in Nursing (Quinnipiac) MBA (DeVry)

Personal Life

Religion	Christianity
Ethnicity	Dutch (From her mother's side)
Food Habit	Non-vegetarian
Hobbies	Dancing Singing

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Unmarried
Affairs/Boyfriends	Single

Family

Father	Michael Maher (Rugby Coach, played rugby at Saint Michael's College)
Mother	Mieneke Maher (Emergency room nurse)
Siblings	Olivia (Elder) Adrianna (Younger)

Career

International Rugby Debut	2018 (Paris Sevens tournament)
Jersey Number	#2 (USA)
Domestic/State Team	Quinnipiac Bobcats
Position(s)	Center Prop (7s)
Awards	2017: MA Sorensen Award for National Player of the Year 2018: Most Outstanding Player at the NIRA Championships 2024: ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete 2025: Forbes 30 Under 30 2025: USA TODAY Women of the Year
Notable Achievements	Played at the women’s SVSN tournament in Paris in 2018 Competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Participated in the 2022 Rugby World Cup sevens 2024 Paris Olympics competitor Three-time NIRA National Championship winner Named to NIRA All-American team three consecutive years 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medallist in rugby sevens (first Olympic medal for U.S. women's rugby sevens team) Runner-up on Dancing with the Stars Season 33 (2024) Generated more TikTok views in 2024 than Taylor Swift
Public Engagement	Promoted body positivity in a TED Talk in 2022 Brand ambassador for Secret and a skincare brand in 2024 Body positivity advocate on social media
Current Team	Bristol Bears (Premiership Women's Rugby, joined January 2025)

Favourites

Film(s)	The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Last Holiday Pride and Prejudice
Festival	Thanksgiving

Style Quotient

Merchandise	Sells merchandise through her website
Social Media Impact	Uses #beastbeautybrains for body positivity; world's most followed rugby player on social media

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Born into a sports-loving family with her father playing rugby.
2. Developed an interest in rugby after starting with hockey, basketball, and soccer.
3. Recognized by Quinnipiac coach Becky Carlson during a school match, leading to her recruitment.
4. Worked as an environmental ambassador between Japan and Vermont.
5. Gained popularity on TikTok during the Tokyo Olympics.
6. Improved her brand visibility on social media to support her rugby career.
7. Injured during a practice session in March 2023, leading to a broken fibula and dislocated tibia.
8. First rugby player to join Dancing with the Stars in September 2024.
9. Desires a partner supportive of her rugby career.
10. Took up rugby at age 17.
11. Transitioned from rugby sevens to 15-player rugby union with Bristol Bears in 2025.
12. Demand for tickets to her Bristol Bears debut was so high that the fixture was moved to a larger stadium.

Ilona Maher Rugby Player American Burlington, Vermont, U.S.