Ruby Tui Biography: Parents, Medals , Net Worth, Ethnicity, Height, Boyfriend

Ruby Malae Tui, known professionally as Ruby Tui, is a New Zealand rugby union player who has starred in both sevens and fifteens.

She has represented the Black Ferns Sevens since 2012 and the Black Ferns since 2022.

Her honors include Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, silver at Rio 2016, the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens title, and the Black Ferns’ victory at the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Ruby Malae Tui
• Stage Name: Ruby Tui
• Born: December 13, 1991
• Age: 34 years old
• Birthplace: Wellington, New Zealand
• Nationality: New Zealander
• Occupation: Professional Rugby Union Player
• Height: 1.77 m
• Parents: Kovati “Vaki” Tui, Marion Mouat
• Siblings: Lesh, Dane, and Nikki
• Spouse: None
• Boyfriends: Dani Fennessy (ex)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Ruby Malae Tui was born on December 13, 1991, in Wellington, New Zealand, via home birth to Kovati “Vaki” Tui and Marion Mouat.

She grew up facing significant family challenges, including her father’s alcoholism, domestic abuse in her mother’s subsequent relationship, frequent moves, and time spent in a women’s refuge, though supported by an extended loving family that connected her to both Samoan and Pākehā cultures. She has three half-siblings: Lesh, Dane, and Nikki.

Tui attended John Paul II High School from 2005 to 2010, later completing a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Canterbury in 2012, majoring in Media and Communication and English. Her ethnicity is mixed Samoan-Pākehā, and her religion is unknown.

Career

Ruby Tui began playing rugby in her teens after moving to Greymouth and then Christchurch for university, initially focusing on sevens.

She debuted for Canterbury in provincial rugby in 2011 and captained their sevens team in 2013, earning selection for the Black Ferns Sevens that year.

Her breakthrough included key contributions to major titles like the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens win in San Francisco and Commonwealth Games gold in 2018, alongside consistent World Series success.

Tui shone at the Olympics, earning silver in Rio 2016 and gold in Tokyo 2020/21, where she helped secure New Zealand’s dominant performance.

She transitioned to fifteens, debuting for the Black Ferns in 2022 and playing a role in their 2021 Rugby World Cup triumph (delayed due to scheduling).

She has also represented Chiefs Manawa in Super Rugby Aupiki since 2022 and Counties Manukau provincially.

Ruby Tui remains an active and influential player for the Black Ferns Sevens and Black Ferns into 2026, participating in international competitions, sharing insights during events like the 2025 Rugby World Cup, and advocating for women’s rugby growth.

With over 158 sevens appearances (56 tries) and 20 fifteens caps (40 points as of recent records), her legacy includes overcoming personal adversity to inspire resilience, leadership, and joy in the sport while engaging fans through media, her book, and public speaking.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @rubytui
• Twitter Handle: @rubytui

Personal Life

Ruby Tui has been open about her difficult early years, including family struggles with abuse and alcoholism, crediting rugby and her mother’s strength for her turnaround.

She was in a relationship with Dani Fennessy for several years—from around 2019—but it ended prior to 2022; no current spouse, partner, or children are publicly known.

Tui maintains a positive, community-focused outlook, often highlighting gratitude, cultural pride, and personal growth in interviews and her 2022 autobiography Straight Up.

Net Worth

Ruby Tui has an estimated net worth of $2 million. Her primary sources of income include contracts with New Zealand Rugby for Black Ferns Sevens and fifteens, prize money from Olympic medals, World Cups, and World Series events, along with endorsements, sponsorships, media appearances, and book sales from her autobiography.