Women's rugby has been growing in stature, attendances and interest in recent years. Yet, despite this positivity, no one could've predicted that one global superstar could change the face of the sport...
In 2021, at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Ilona Maher attended the opening ceremony of the competition which would completely change her life.
A "body positivity" video posted at this event on the social media platform TikTok, which amassed over 4 million views, caused the trajectory of Ilona Maher's career and women's rugby as a whole to completely shift.
Ilona Maher transformed from a talented rugby sevens player to an internet sensation overnight.
Since then, she has continued to grow her online following, resulting in an appearance on Dancing with the Stars in 2024. Her performance and personality on the show rocketed her to global superstardom.
Recently, the USA international has switched codes to play fifteen-a-side rugby union in order to compete at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, moving over to Premiership Women's Rugby.
This move has had a monumental impact both on her following and on that of the entire league.
Born on 12th August, 1996, Ilona Maher is 28 years old.
Ilona Maher was born in Vermont, USA and represents the United States of America in rugby.
Ilona Maher's estimated net worth is $3 million. She has gained this through her rugby career, sponsorships and endorsements.
Ilona Maher is 5 foot 10 inches tall (178cm).
Ilona Maher weighs 198 lbs (90kg).
Ilona Maher's position in rugby is centre or winger.
Ilona Maher currently plays for English side Bristol Bears in the Premiership Women's Rugby.
She scored her first try and registered an assist for the Bears in a match away to the Exeter Chiefs on 12th January, 2025, contributing to a 41-31 win.
Ilona Maher has made 30 appearances for the USA National Sevens team and two appearances for the fifteen-a-side national team.
Alongside her sporting achievements, Ilona Maher is also a registered nurse after graduating from Quinnipiac University in 2018 with a degree in nursing.
Ilona Maher represented the USA at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics in rugby sevens, winning a bronze medal at the 2024 games.
In her short time at Premiership Women’s Rugby side Bristol Bears, Ilona Maher has attracted the highest crowd in Bristol Bears’ Women’s history (9,240).
This was over double the previous record (4,101).
Ilona Maher has over 8million followers across Instagram and TikTok, making her the most followed rugby union player in the world.
Ilona Maher shot to prominence by becoming the first rugby player to appear on the TV show Dancing with the Stars in 2024.
Ilona Maher and her partner, Alan Bersten, finished as runners-up.