From Plymouth Pools to Olympic Gold: The Early Years
Thomas Robert Daley was born on May 21, 1994, in Plymouth, England. He first tried diving at just seven years old and was competing nationally by age nine. His father Robert spotted the talent early and drove him to training every day, even after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2006. Robert passed away in 2011, just before Tom’s first Olympic bronze in London 2012 – a medal he dedicated to his dad.
By age 14, Tom became Britain’s youngest-ever male Olympian at Beijing 2008. His fearless style and bright smile instantly made him a fan favourite.
Olympic Medals & Career Highlights
Over five Olympic Games, Tom collected one gold, one silver, and three bronzes:
- Beijing 2008 – 7th & 8th (debut at age 14)
- London 2012 – Bronze (individual 10m)
- Rio 2016 – Bronze (synchro with Daniel Goodfellow)
- Tokyo 2020 – Gold (synchro with Matty Lee)
- Paris 2024 – Silver (synchro with Noah Williams) → retirement
His gold in Tokyo was Britain’s first ever in men’s 10m synchro and ended China’s long dominance in the event.
| Career Snapshot | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Robert Daley |
| Date of Birth | May 21, 1994 (age 31 in 2025) |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 163 lbs (74 kg) |
| Olympic Medals | 5 (1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze) |
| Retirement | August 12, 2024 |
| Current Roles | UCLA assistant coach, Eurosport pundit, TV host |
Married Life & Family with Dustin Lance Black
Tom met American screenwriter Dustin Lance Black in 2013 when he was 19 and Lance was 39. After keeping the relationship private for months, Tom came out publicly in a heartfelt YouTube video in December 2013. They got engaged in 2015 and married in a fairy-tale ceremony at Bovey Castle, Devon, on May 6, 2017.
The couple have two sons via surrogacy:
- Robbie Ray Black-Daley – born June 27, 2018
- Phoenix Rose Black-Daley – born March 28, 2023
In 2024 the family relocated from London to Los Angeles to be closer to Lance’s work and Tom’s new coaching job at UCLA.
| Personal Life | Details |
|---|---|
| Husband | Dustin Lance Black (m. 2017) |
| Wedding Date | May 6, 2017 |
| Children | Robbie (2018) & Phoenix (2023) |
| Coming Out | December 2, 2013 (YouTube) |
| Current Home | Los Angeles, California |
| Honour | OBE (2022) for services to diving & LGBTQ+ rights |
Tom Daley Net Worth & Income Sources in 2025
British Olympic divers receive no salary or prize money from Team GB, so Tom built his wealth through sponsorships and media work. His estimated net worth in 2025 sits between $4–5 million.
Major income streams include:
- Long-term Adidas deal (reported £500k+ per year)
- YouTube channel (1.2M subscribers, millions in ad revenue)
- Knitting brand “Made With Love by Tom Daley”
- TV presenting (Splash!, Game of Wool, Celebrity Traitors)
- Books and speaking engagements
| Money & Business | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth 2025 | $4–5 million |
| Main Sponsors | Adidas, Gillette, Etihad |
| YouTube Subscribers | 1.2 million |
| Knitting Brand | Made With Love (launched 2021) |
| Latest TV Show | Game of Wool (Channel 4, Nov 2025) |
Life After Diving: Knitting, Coaching & Mental Health
What started as a lockdown hobby in 2020 has become a global phenomenon. Tom’s Instagram account @madewithlovebytomdaley has over 500k followers, and his craft kits with Hobbycraft fly off shelves. He even hosted Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter on Channel 4 in November 2025.
“Knitting saved my mental health,” Tom has said repeatedly. The repetitive motion helped him switch off from the pressure of elite sport, and he now encourages other athletes to find similar outlets.
He works as assistant diving coach at UCLA, commentates for Eurosport, and released the documentary Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds on HBO Max in June 2025 – a beautiful look at the split-second decisions that define a dive.
The Legacy of Tom Daley
Beyond the medals, Tom changed the sporting world simply by being himself. His openness about sexuality, mental health, and work-life balance has inspired a generation. When he carried the Union flag with Helen Glover at the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, millions felt proud of the boy from Plymouth who grew into a man the whole country admires.
At 31, happily married, a father of two, financially secure, and still creating – Tom Daley’s best chapters might still be ahead.
→ Read more on Wikipedia |
Instagram @tomdaley |
Knitting @madewithlovebytomdaley
