Monica Seles, a Serbian-American tennis legend, continues to inspire with her remarkable career and resilience. Born on December 2, 1973, Seles is 51 years old as of 2025. Her net worth is estimated at $50 million, amassed through prize money, endorsements, and post-retirement ventures. Known for her nine Grand Slam titles and overcoming a tragic on-court stabbing, Seles’ story blends triumph and adversity. Married to billionaire Tom Golisano, her personal life reflects strength, especially after her 2022 myasthenia gravis diagnosis. This article explores her age, net worth, career, salary, married life, height, weight, and recent updates, offering fresh insights into her enduring legacy.
Early Life and Rise to Stardom: A Tennis Prodigy’s Beginnings
Born in Novi Sad, Serbia (then Yugoslavia), Monica Seles discovered tennis at age five, coached by her father, Karolj Seles, a cartoonist who made the sport fun with creative drawings. By 11, she won the Junior Orange Bowl tournament, catching the eye of coach Nick Bollettieri, who offered her a scholarship to his Florida academy. Her unique two-handed forehand and backhand, developed by her father, became her signature. At 14, she played her first professional tournament in 1988, turning pro in 1989 and defeating Chris Evert to claim her first title in Houston. By 1990, at just 16 years and six months, Seles became the youngest-ever French Open champion, a record that still stands.
Seles’ aggressive style and powerful groundstrokes revolutionized women’s tennis. Her height of 5 feet 10 inches and weight of 134 pounds gave her an edge in speed and power. In 1991 and 1992, she dominated, securing world No. 1 ranking for 178 weeks and winning eight Grand Slams before age 20, including four Australian Opens, three French Opens, and two US Opens. Her salary from prize money alone reached $15 million (about $25 million today), supplemented by endorsements with brands like Fila and Yonex.
Career Highlights and the 1993 Stabbing Incident
Seles’ career trajectory was meteoric until a tragic event in 1993. During a match in Hamburg, Germany, a fan of rival Steffi Graf stabbed her in the back with a knife, sidelining her for over two years. The incident, which occurred when she was just 19, left lasting physical and emotional scars, including depression and binge eating disorder (BED). Reflecting on this, Seles said, “Tennis gave me freedom, but at the expense of my childhood.” Her return in 1995 showcased her resilience, culminating in a ninth Grand Slam at the 1996 Australian Open. Despite never regaining her pre-injury dominance, she retired in 2008 with 53 WTA titles and a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics.
Her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009 and recognition as one of Time Magazine’s 30 Legends of Women’s Tennis cemented her legacy. Experts like Martina Navratilova have speculated that, without the stabbing, Seles could have surpassed Graf’s Grand Slam record, potentially becoming the greatest female player ever.
Net Worth and Salary: A Financial Legacy
Monica Seles’ net worth of $50 million in 2025 reflects her success on and off the court. Her career prize money totaled $14.89 million, but endorsements with Fila ($4 million deal in the early 1990s) and Yonex significantly boosted her earnings. Post-retirement, Seles has diversified her income through authorship, motivational speaking, and advocacy. Her memoir, “Getting a Grip: On My Body, My Mind, My Self”, published in 2009, details her struggles with BED and depression, resonating with readers worldwide. She also wrote two young adult novels, “The Academy: Game On” and “Game of Love”, showcasing her storytelling talent.
As a spokesperson for Shire Pharmaceuticals since 2015, Seles advocates for BED awareness, drawing from personal experience. Her financial acumen, as she noted, “I want to live off my bonds. I want to be that safe,” reflects a cautious approach to wealth management, ensuring long-term stability.
Personal Life: Married Life, Health, and Advocacy
Monica Seles has been married to Tom Golisano, a billionaire philanthropist and founder of Paychex, since 2014. The couple, who began dating in 2009, has a 32-year age gap but shares a commitment to charity, particularly children’s causes. They have no biological children, but Seles is a stepmother to Golisano’s daughter, Amy. Living in Florida, they maintain a private life, though Seles’ recent diagnosis of myasthenia gravis in 2022, made public in August 2025, brought renewed attention. She described symptoms like seeing “two balls” while playing, highlighting the disease’s impact on her muscles.
Seles’ advocacy for mental health and eating disorders stems from her own battles. “It’s not about dieting. It has to come from within,” she said, emphasizing internal healing over external fixes. Her Instagram (@monicaseles10s) and Twitter (@monicaseles10s) reflect her role as a motivational speaker, sharing insights on resilience and health.
Height, Weight, and Fitness Journey
At 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 134 pounds, Seles maintains a healthy lifestyle post-retirement. Her struggle with BED, exacerbated by the 1993 stabbing and her father’s cancer diagnosis, was a significant hurdle. By her mid-30s, she adopted a balanced approach, walking regularly and attending exercise classes twice weekly. “I don’t use food to cope with a problem,” she stated, reflecting a healthier mindset. Her transformation into a size 4 and advocacy for fitness make her a role model for overcoming personal challenges.
Recent Updates and Legacy
In 2025, Seles continues to attend tennis events, participate in exhibitions, and advocate for health causes. Her myasthenia gravis diagnosis has not dimmed her spirit; she remains active in charity, supporting Golisano Children’s Hospital. Her influence extends beyond tennis, inspiring fans through her candid discussions on adversity. A 2023 exhibition match alongside Venus and Serena Williams showcased her enduring love for the sport.
Seles’ story is a testament to resilience. As she noted, “You have to want to play it all day, every day, to get to the top.” Her journey from a Yugoslavian prodigy to a global icon offers lessons in perseverance, making her a timeless figure in sports history.
Monica Seles Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Monica Seles |
| Date of Birth | December 2, 1973 |
| Age | 51 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Novi Sad, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Nationality | Serbian, American, Hungarian |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) |
| Weight | 134 pounds (61 kilograms) |
| Profession | Retired Professional Tennis Player, Author, Motivational Speaker |
| Net Worth | $50 million |
| Career Prize Money | $14.89 million |
| Grand Slam Titles | 9 (4 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 2 US Open) |
| Career Titles | 53 WTA Tour-level singles titles |
| World No. 1 Duration | 178 weeks |
| Marital Status | Married to Tom Golisano (since 2014) |
| Dating History | Began dating Tom Golisano in 2009 |
| Health Challenges | Myasthenia Gravis (diagnosed 2022), Binge Eating Disorder |
| Notable Achievements | Youngest French Open Champion (1990), International Tennis Hall of Fame (2009) |
| Books | “Getting a Grip: On My Body, My Mind, My Self”, “The Academy: Game On” |
| Social Media | Instagram/Twitter: @monicaseles10s |
| Advocacy | Mental Health, Binge Eating Disorder Awareness |
