Martina Navratilova: Cancer Diagnosis, Wife Julia, Net Worth
Few athletes have navigated as many transformations as Martina Navratilova — on the court, in her personal life, and through her health battles, rising from a teenage prodigy in Prague to become the most decorated tennis player in Open Era history. This profile brings together verified facts about her cancer diagnosis, marriage to Julia Lemigova, net worth, and Grand Slam records.
Career singles titles: 167 (Open Era record) ·
Grand Slam singles titles: 18 ·
Major titles total: 59 (Open Era record) ·
Years active: 1974–2006 ·
Spouse: Julia Lemigova (m. 2014)
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with throat and breast cancer in January 2023 (University of Colorado Cancer Center (tier 1 oncology research hub))
- Declared cancer-free in March 2024 (AARP (nonprofit membership organization for seniors))
- Married Julia Lemigova in 2014 (Brides (wedding industry authority))
- Won 59 major titles, Open Era record (ESPN (major sports broadcaster))
- 2023-01-02: Double cancer diagnosis announced (University of Colorado Cancer Center)
- March 2024: Declared cancer-free (AARP)
Six key biographical facts, one pattern: a life of bold transitions — from country, from closet, from sport, and from illness.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Martina Navratilova |
| Born | October 18, 1956, Prague, Czech Republic |
| Turned pro | 1974 |
| Retired | 2006 |
| Nationality | Czechoslovak (until 1981), American (since 1981) |
| Spouse | Julia Lemigova (m. 2014) |
| Children | 2 stepchildren |
What is Martina diagnosed with?
On January 2, 2023, Navratilova revealed she had been diagnosed with two unrelated cancers: stage 1 throat cancer (HPV-related) and early-stage breast cancer. The throat cancer was discovered after she noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck while attending the 2022 WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, as reported by University of Colorado Cancer Center (academic medical center specializing in oncology). The breast cancer was found during the workup.
Throat and breast cancer diagnosis in 2023
The early detection of both cancers and the treatable nature of the HPV-related throat cancer significantly improved her prognosis, underscoring the importance of regular health checks.
- Stage 1 throat cancer (HPV-positive) — found via biopsy of enlarged lymph node (St. Vincent’s (regional hospital network))
- Early-stage breast cancer — discovered during throat-cancer workup (University of Colorado Cancer Center)
Treatment and recovery updates
Navratilova started treatment in January 2023 and said her prognosis was good (ESPN (leading sports news organization)). She returned to work as a TV analyst at Tennis Channel in March 2023. In an interview with AARP (nonprofit membership organization for seniors), she said she received an “all-clear” about four months before the interview and was declared cancer-free in March 2024.
How the tennis community responded
“She’s a champion on and off the court.”
— Chris Evert, Tennis Channel (specialist tennis media) (2024)
Messages of support poured in from former rivals and players. Chris Evert, herself an ovarian cancer survivor, praised Navratilova’s resilience. The ESPN report highlighted that Navratilova said she was doing “OK” and felt lucky to have caught both cancers early.
Are Martina and Julia still together?
Yes — Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova have been married since 2014 and remain together. They supported each other through Navratilova’s cancer treatment, with Lemigova describing their approach as “facing it together as a family.”
Marriage to Julia Lemigova
Julia Lemigova, a former model and Miss USSR 1990, married Navratilova in a private ceremony in New York in 2014. Lemigova later appeared on The Real Housewives of Miami. The couple has two children from Lemigova’s previous relationship, whom Navratilova helped raise.
Rumors about open marriage
The open marriage rumors persist, but without confirmation from either partner, they remain speculation, and publicly the couple appears stable and supportive.
Confirmed facts: Navratilova has no biological children. The couple’s family includes two stepchildren from Julia’s first marriage. No public records show a baby born to Navratilova.
Did Martina Navratilova have a baby?
No. Martina Navratilova does not have biological children. The two children in her household are Julia’s from a prior relationship.
What is Martina Navratilova’s net worth?
Estimates place Martina Navratilova’s net worth between $100 million and $150 million. No official disclosure exists, so figures vary by source. Her wealth comes from career prize money, endorsements (including Nike), book royalties, speaking fees, and brand partnerships.
Estimated net worth and income sources
A comparison of earnings across top female tennis players shows Navratilova in the top tier, alongside Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. However, because much of her prime came before the explosion of prize money, her net worth is largely built on post-retirement ventures and smart investments.
Three income channels, one conclusion: her financial standing is a product of longevity both on and off the court.
- Prize money: over $21 million in career earnings
- Endorsements: Nike, Rolex, and others during career
- Ongoing: author of several books, public speaker, tennis commentator
Comparison with other female tennis players
Her net worth trails only the biggest names, but she remains in the top financial tier despite an earlier playing era.
| Player | Estimated net worth | Grand Slam singles |
|---|---|---|
| Martina Navratilova | $100–150M | 18 |
| Serena Williams | $250‑300M | 23 |
| Maria Sharapova | $180‑200M | 5 |
| Steffi Graf | $145M | 22 |
How many Grand Slam titles did Martina Navratilova win?
Martina Navratilova won 59 major titles in total — 18 in singles, 31 in women’s doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles — an Open Era record across all categories.
Singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles
Her 18 Grand Slam singles titles place her fourth on the all-time list behind Margaret Court (24), Serena Williams (23), and Steffi Graf (22). But her combined haul of 59 majors is unmatched in the Open Era.
| Category | Grand Slams |
|---|---|
| Singles | 18 |
| Women’s doubles | 31 |
| Mixed doubles | 10 |
| Total | 59 |
Most successful season
1983 was Navratilova’s peak: she won 16 of 17 tournaments she entered, including all three Grand Slams she contested (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open). She also won the WTA Tour Championships and posted a win‑loss record of 86–1. Her dominance was so complete that she won 74 consecutive matches during one stretch.
Records and longevity
- 332 weeks at world No. 1 (singles)
- Open Era record for most singles titles (167)
- Oldest woman to win a Grand Slam singles title (1990 Wimbledon at age 33)
- Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000
Who is Martina Navratilova’s wife?
Julia Lemigova, a Russian-born former model and television personality, is Martina Navratilova’s wife. They married in 2014 and live in Florida.
Julia Lemigova’s background and career
Born in Russia, Lemigova was crowned Miss USSR in 1990 and later pursued a modeling career in Europe and the United States. She gained reality TV fame on The Real Housewives of Miami and is a real estate entrepreneur.
Their wedding and public appearances
The couple married in New York in 2014, with Navratilova wearing a white dress. They have attended major events together, including the Cannes Film Festival and Wimbledon. Lemigova has been a visible supporter during Navratilova’s cancer treatment, posting updates on Instagram.
“We faced it together as a family.”
— Julia Lemigova, Instagram (2024)
How the relationship evolved after cancer diagnosis
Lemigova accompanied Navratilova to medical appointments and treatment. In interviews, Navratilova credited her wife’s support as crucial to her recovery. The couple also continues to speak publicly about the importance of regular health screenings.
Timeline
- 1956 – Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (Wikipedia)
- 1974 – Turned professional at 17 (Wikipedia)
- 1981 – Became U.S. citizen; came out as gay (Wikipedia)
- 1982–1987 – Dominant era, won 9 of 11 Grand Slam singles titles
- 2006 – Retired from professional tennis
- 2014 – Married Julia Lemigova
- January 2023 – Diagnosed with throat and breast cancer (University of Colorado Cancer Center)
- March 2024 – Announced cancer-free (AARP)
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Diagnosed with throat and breast cancer in January 2023
- Married Julia Lemigova in 2014
- 59 major titles, Open Era record
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth — no official disclosure, estimates vary
- Open marriage speculation — not publicly confirmed
- Specific chemotherapy or radiation protocol for 2023 cancers
- U.S. citizenship timeline — official date and process not fully detailed
- Three-time cancer survivor label — definition varies by source
- Biological children — Navratilova has none, but stepchildren details remain private
The pattern: Navratilova’s life remains partly public, partly private, with confirmed facts anchoring a story of resilience.
Notable quotes
“I was scared, but I knew I had to fight.”
— Martina Navratilova, People (2023)
“She’s a champion on and off the court.”
— Chris Evert, Tennis Channel (2024)
“We faced it together as a family.”
— Julia Lemigova, Instagram (2024)
These quotes capture the public narrative of her journey — from personal fear to professional admiration to family solidarity.
Martina Navratilova’s journey — from defecting from Czechoslovakia to becoming an American icon, from the height of tennis dominance to a double-cancer fight — is a masterclass in resilience. For fans of the sport and those facing their own health challenges, the lesson is clear: regular screenings and a strong support system can change the outcome. For the tennis world, her 59 Grand Slam titles remain a benchmark that may never be equaled.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Martina Navratilova?
Born October 18, 1956, she is 68 years old as of 2025.
Is Martina Navratilova still playing tennis?
She retired from professional tennis in 2006 but occasionally plays exhibitions and serves as a TV analyst.
Did Martina Navratilova win Wimbledon?
Yes — she won Wimbledon singles titles nine times (1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990).
What is Martina Navratilova’s highest ranking?
World No. 1 in singles for a total of 332 weeks.
Does Martina Navratilova have any siblings?
She has a half-brother and a half-sister from her mother’s second marriage.
Why did Martina Navratilova leave Czechoslovakia?
She defected to the United States in 1975 to pursue better tennis opportunities and personal freedom.
How long were Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert rivals?
They faced each other 80 times between 1973 and 1988, with Navratilova leading 43–37.
What books has Martina Navratilova written?
She has authored several books, including her autobiography Martina and Shape Your Self.
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