Rocket Ronnie
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN is the greatest snooker player to ever grace the sport.
The star has overcome numerous battles on the way to the top, including dealing with his father's prison sentence, as well as struggles with mental health and drug addiction.
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What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's background?
Ronnie O'Sullivan was born on December 5, 1975, in Wordsley.
His parents are Ronnie Snr, who is the former owner of a string of sex shops in Soho, London, and Maria, who was born in Sicily, Italy.
Ronnie Jnr has a younger sister called Danielle.
Ronnie was born in the West Midlands with the family later moving to Essex.
He became interested in snooker at an early age and made his first-century break at the remarkable age of 10.
O'Sullivan went on to become British Under-16 Champion by the age of 13.
He turned professional at the age of 16 and has gone on to become one of the greatest players of all time.
My dad used to say it was like a visit to him when he saw me on the TV. I thought, 'Bloody hell, that's got to be the most important thing, it's keeping him going
Roonnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie has been open about his struggles with mental health and addiction.
He once stated he had "lost seven years to drinking and taking cannabis" — and another four in the aftermath.
The sportsman credits running for becoming his solace.
What has Ronnie O'Sullivan said about his father?
Ronnie's father, Ronnie O'Sullivan Snr, was jailed in 1992 for the murder of Bruce Bryan, the driver for Charlie Kray, during a fight in a Chelsea nightclub.
Charlie was the brother of infamous gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray.
Ronnie has spoken about his father in the past, saying: “He was a very generous person and some people took that kindness for weakness and played on it."
On playing snooker to keep his dad happy, he said: "The loyalty I felt towards my dad...I'd do anything he asked.
"My dad used to say it was like a visit to him when he saw me on the TV. I thought, 'Bloody hell, that's got to be the most important thing, it's keeping him going'.
"So I knew I couldn't give up, even though I was hating it. I couldn't deprive my dad of that."
The 2023 Amazon Prime film, titled Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything, further delved into the time his dad spent in prison.
In the documentary, Ronnie Jnr gets emotional when remembering what his dad said when he was sentenced.
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He tells the cameras: "My dad was being carted off, he'd been sentenced, he just looked up to the woman and [gets emotional and wipes away tears] you get a bit emotional sometimes don't you."
"He just said, 'Tell my boy to win'.
"Typical. 'Just tell my boy to win'.
"That was it. F***ing 30 years ago.
"Part of me was thinking, 'F*** you and f*** this, just f*** everybody.'
"The healthiest thing for me to do was probably to stop playing snooker. But I didn't, I just felt compelled to stick with it."
In a 2022 Eurosport documentary, Ronnie Jr also revealed how much of an impact his father had on his career in the early years.
What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's professional record?
Ronnie has won seven Masters, seven World Championships and eight UK Championships throughout his career.
In 2019, he became the first and only player so far to hit 1,000 career century breaks.
O'Sullivan has won a record 23 Triple Crown events and 41 ranking titles in his illustrious career — both records in the game which are unlikely to ever be bettered.
His seventh World Snooker Championship triumph over Judd Trump in May 2022 saw him level with Stephen Hendry for the most wins of the tournament in the modern era.
The Rocket's most controversial moments
- In 1996, Ronnie allegedly head-butted Michael Ganley, an assistant press officer at the time, and was given a £20,000 fine and a suspended two-year ban. At the same tournament, Ronnie drew criticism for "showboating" after playing left-handed.
- In 1998, The Rocket was stripped of the Irish Masters title after cannabis was discovered in his system.
- In 2006, Ronnie forfeited his quarter-final against Stephen Hendry after he abruptly conceded the match during the sixth frame and left the arena, leading to a £20,800 fine.
- In 2016, while competing in the Welsh Open, Ronnie declined the opportunity to make a maximum break, describing the £10,000 prize money on offer as "too cheap."
When was Ronnie O'Sullivan given an OBE?
Ronnie was awarded an OBE in the New Year honours in 2015.
He received the honour for the role he has played in the world of snooker.
O'Sullivan collected his award from King Charles in May the following year, with partner Laila Rouass by his side.
The milestone moment can two years after Ronnie said it would be "a disgrace" for him to receive an honour because of his controversial past.
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How many novels has Ronnie O'Sullivan written?
O'Sullivan has written three novels in total.
The books are titled Framed, The Break and Double Kiss.
Ronnie has also written three autobiographies titled Running, Ronnie and Unbreakable, plus a cookbook called Top of Your Game: Eating for Mind and Body.
What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's net worth?
As of April 2024, The Scotsman estimates O'Sullivan's net worth to be around £20million.
The Rocket has enjoyed an incredible 2023-24 season — his best ever in terms of prize money.
He has won FIVE tournaments already this season and is heading into the World Championships in top form.
Winning the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, Masters and World Grand Prix — as well as the World Masters of Snooker in Saudi Arabia — has seen him pocket more than £1.1 million this season so far alone.
The Saudi win banked £250,000, although he was not able to pot the £400,000 golden ball.
O'Sullivan has also confirmed he will play in two more tournaments before heading for the crucible.
He will play in the World Open in China from March 18 and then the Tour Championship in Manchester on April 1.
Is Ronnie O'Sullivan married?
O'Sullivan has three children — two daughters and a son.
He is father to Taylor-Ann Magnus (born in 1996) from a two-year relationship with Sally Magnus, and Lily, born in 2006, and Ronnie Jr, born in 2007, from his relationship with Jo Langley.
Ronnie is in a long-term relationship with Footballers' Wives star Laila Rouass.
The pair, who got engaged in 2013, parted ways in 2022 after almost a decade together but reunited shortly after.
Ronnie's career highlights
- 1991: When he was just 15 years old, O'Sullivan became the youngest player to make a maximum 147 break in an open age tournament at the English Amateur Championship — a record since surpassed by Sean Maddocks
- 1993: He qualified for the World Championship aged 16, meaning he bacame and remains the youngest player to do so
- 1993: Ronnie won his first ranking and Triple Crown event, the UK Championship, at the tender age of 17, making him the youngest player ever to achieve both feats
- 1995: The Rocket lifted his maiden Masters title at the age of 19 — this again makes him the youngest winner of the event, another record which stands to this day
- 1997: Ronnie recorded the fastest ever 147 at the World Championships in his second-round match against Mick Price in a time of five minutes and eight seconds
- 2001: O’Sullivan won his first World Championship, completing his Triple Crown of snooker's most coveted events
- 2014: Scored a record 556 points without reply against Ricky Walden at the Masters
- 2019: Became the first player to reach 1,000 career centuries
- 2022: Ronnie won his seventh World Championship at the age of 46 — making him both the oldest and youngest player to win snooker's showpiece event