Who is Rosie Ries? John Virgo’s wife Bio: Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Husband, Parents, Family

Biography

Rosie Ries (now known as Rosie Virgo) is a British former journalist, show business reporter, and publishing executive.

She began her career in Fleet Street, working as a reporter and columnist for major tabloids including The Sun, The Daily Mirror, and The Sunday People.

In 1991, she teamed up with publisher John Blake to co-found and lead John Blake Publishing, where she served as Managing Director and helped pioneer a successful “tabloid-style” publishing genre focused on celebrity and entertainment titles. She retired from the role in 2018 after many successful years in the industry.

Ries is best known publicly as the third wife of the late snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo, whom she married in 2009 after a 20-year friendship. The couple supported each other through various challenges, including Virgo‘s past struggles, and lived together in Cobham, England, before later settling in Mijas Costa, Spain.

Following John Virgo‘s sudden death in early 2026 from a ruptured aorta, Rosie paid an emotional public tribute, describing him as “the love of my life and my best friend” just days before what would have been their 16th wedding anniversary.

British former journalist, show business reporter, and publishing executive
Rosie Ries
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Rosie Ries
Stage Name:	Rosie Virgo
Born:	15 March 1962 (age 63 years old)
Place of Birth:	London, England, United Kingdom
Nationality:	British
Education:	Royal Naval School
Height:	N/A
Parents:	Margaret Ries, Arthur Ries
Siblings:	Greg Ries
Spouse:	John Virgo (m. 2009-2026)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Journalist • Media Personality
Net Worth:	$4.5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Rosie Ries (now known as Rosie Virgo following her 2009 marriage to snooker legend John Virgo) was born on March 15, 1962, in London, England.

Raised in a close-knit family, she is the daughter of Margaret Ries and Arthur Ries and has one older brother, Greg Ries. Of British ethnicity with English roots, she grew up in a Christian household.

She attended Royal Naval School in Haslemere, Surrey, where she developed an early interest in writing and current affairs. Despite her Fleet Street career beginning in journalism as a reporter and columnist for major tabloids such as The Sun, The Daily Mirror, and The Sunday People, Rosie has always maintained a private stance on her personal background.

In 1991, she partnered with publisher John Blake to co-found John Blake Publishing, serving as Managing Director and shaping its distinctive tabloid-style focus on celebrity and entertainment books until her retirement in 2018.

Career

Rosie Ries, later known as Rosie Virgo after her 2009 marriage to snooker legend John Virgo, built a distinguished career in British journalism and publishing spanning several decades.

She began her professional life in Fleet Street, the historic hub of British newspapers, where she worked as a show business reporter and columnist for prominent tabloids. Her roles included contributing to The Sun, The Daily Mirror, and The Sunday People, where she covered celebrity news, entertainment, and gossip during the vibrant era of 1980s and early 1990s British journalism.

In 1991, Rosie teamed up with publisher John Blake to co-found what became John Blake Publishing. Joining shortly after its initial setup (originally under the name Blake Publishing), she played a pivotal role in shaping the company.

As Managing Director (and at times referred to as deputy managing director in earlier mentions), she helped pioneer a bold “tabloid-style” publishing genre that focused on celebrity autobiographies, memoirs, true crime, and entertainment titles—books aimed at accessible, high-interest readerships often overlooked by mainstream publishers.

Under her leadership alongside Blake, the company achieved notable successes, including blockbuster hits like Katie Price‘s Being Jordan (2004), which sold over a million copies after being rejected by larger firms, as well as autobiographies from figures such as bareknuckle fighters Lenny McLean and Roy Shaw.

The imprint grew significantly, especially after its acquisition by Bonnier Publishing in 2016, with year-on-year growth exceeding 60% in subsequent periods and multiple Sunday Times bestsellers.

Rosie retired from her position at John Blake Publishing in April 2018, stepping down alongside John Blake. In her farewell statement, she described her time there as “the most wonderful and exciting career in publishing,” crediting the opportunities provided by Blake and later Bonnier.

Personal Life

Rosie Virgo (née Ries) was born on March 15, 1962. She is currently 63 years old.

She was married once, to the late snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo. The couple wed in 2009 after a friendship that had lasted more than two decades.

This was John‘s third marriage; no previous marriages are recorded for Rosie. They had no children together, and there is no public information about whether Rosie had any children from other relationships.

Rosie and John enjoyed a close, supportive partnership, living between England and later Mijas Costa, Spain. Following John‘s sudden death in early 2026 from a ruptured aorta, Rosie described him publicly as “the love of my life and my best friend.”

Net Worth

Rosie Virgo (née Ries), the former Managing Director of John Blake Publishing, has an estimated net worth of around $4.5 million.

This figure stems primarily from her successful decades-long career in British journalism and publishing. Starting as a show business reporter and columnist for major tabloids like The Sun, The Daily Mirror, and The Sunday People, Rosie built a strong foundation in media.

Her most significant financial contributions came from co-founding and leading John Blake Publishing from 1991 until her retirement in 2018.

Under her executive guidance, the company specialized in high-selling celebrity memoirs, true crime, and entertainment titles—many of which became bestsellers and drove substantial revenue, especially following its growth and eventual acquisition by Bonnier Publishing in 2016.

What People Ask