Ian Thorpe Biography: Age, Partner, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Sister, Olympics, Books, Retirement

Ian Thorpe is an Australian swimmer who rose to international prominence during the late 1990s and early 2000s. As a teenager, he became the youngest male world champion in history by winning the 400-metre freestyle title.

His stellar performances at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he earned multiple medals, turned him into a widely admired figure in sport.

Over the years, he has not only been recognized for his athletic achievements but also for his work beyond the pool, including media ventures and philanthropy.

Profile

• Full name: Ian James Thorpe
• Nickname: “Thorpedo”, “Thorpey”
• Date of birth: 13 October 1982
• Age: 43 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Sydney, Australia
• State of origin: New South Wales
• Nationality: Australian
• Profession: Retired competitive swimmer, author, media personality
• Height: 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
• Weight: 104 kg (230 lb)
• Parents: Ken Thorpe (father), Margaret Thorpe (mother)
• Siblings: Christina Thorpe (elder sister)
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single
• Ethnicity: White
• Net worth: $6 million

Early Life and education

Ian Thorpe is now at the age of 42 and was born on 13 October 1982. He spent his childhood in Milperra, a suburb of Sydney, within New South Wales, Australia.

His father, Ken, had been a promising junior cricketer, representing Bankstown District Cricket Club, while his mother, Margaret, played at A-grade level in netball.

His elder sister, Christina, originally took to swimming to strengthen a broken wrist, and the five-year-old Ian followed her to the pool, marking the start of his journey in swimming. As a baby, he weighed 4.1 kg and measured 59 cm in length.

As a young child, he experienced an allergy to chlorine, which initially forced him to swim with his head above water; nonetheless, he persisted and continued to improve.

During his school years, he attended East Hills Boys Technology High School, where he began serious competitive training under Doug Frost’s coaching.

He rose rapidly through youth competitions, breaking numerous age-group records and captaining New South Wales in primary school championships.

Personal Life

Ian Thorpe publicly came out as gay in a television interview in July 2014, stating, “I’m comfortable saying I’m a gay man”.

From 2016 until mid-2019, he was in a relationship with model Ryan Channing; they did not marry, and Thorpe stated in late 2017 he did not plan to marry soon.

Since their split in June 2019, Thorpe has remained single. His then partner Ryan Channing passed away in Bali in May 2022.

Additionally, Thorpe has made contributions to philanthropic efforts, including founding the charity Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for Youth in 2000, which funds research into childhood illnesses, supports a school in Beijing for orphans with disabilities, and works with The Fred Hollows Foundation to improve conditions in Indigenous Australian communities.

Career

Ian Thorpe debuted internationally in 1997 at the Pan-Pacific Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, becoming the youngest male ever to represent Australia and earning a silver medal in the 400 m freestyle at age 14.

In 1998, he became the youngest male world champion in Perth by winning the 400 metre freestyle.

Over his career, he dominated the 200 m and 400 m freestyle events, setting multiple world records and collecting medals at Olympics, World, Commonwealth, and Pan Pacific Championships.

His landmark achievements include winning three gold and two silver medals at the Sydney 2000 Olympics—contributing to his becoming the most successful athlete at those Games.

At the 2001 World Championships, he took six gold medals, the first swimmer ever to do so.

He medaled in the 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m free at the 2004 Athens Olympics, unique for a male swimmer.

Thorpe retired in November 2006, briefly attempted a comeback aiming at the 2012 London Olympics, but failed to qualify.

Awards

• Young Australian of the Year (2000)
• Australian Sports Medal (2000)
• Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM, 2001)
• Centenary Medal (2001)
• World Swimmer of the Year (multiple years)
• Member of the Order of Australia (AM, 2019)
• Induction into Swimming Australia Hall of Fame (2022)

Net worth

Ian Thorpe’s net worth is estimated at approximately USD 6 million. The wealth stems from his success in competitive swimming, lucrative sponsorships—including with brands like Armani, Adidas, Qantas, Telstra, and Seven Network—as well as equity in a deal for a branded energy drink and media and author earnings.

Social Media

• Instagram: @ian.thorpe
• X (formerly Twitter): @IanThorpe
• Facebook: Ian Thorpe

Books

• Cook For Your Life
• Eat Well Now