Sonny Bill Williams Biography: Age, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Height, Parents

Sonny Bill Williams is a multi-talented athlete who has excelled in rugby league, rugby union, and boxing.

He is one of the few players who have won the Rugby World Cup twice and held several boxing titles.

He is known for his powerful physique, skillful offloads, and generous gestures towards fans and opponents.

Profile

• Full name: Sonny Bill Williams
• Date of birth: August 3, 1985
• Age: 39 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Auckland, New Zealand
• Nationality: New Zealander
• Profession: Former rugby league and rugby union player, boxer
• Height: 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
• Parents: Ioane (“John”) Williams and Lee Woolsey
• Siblings: John Arthur, Niall, and Denise
• Spouse: Alana Raffie
• Children: Imaan Bill, Aisha Bill Zaid Bill ,Essa Bill
• Relationship status: Married
• Net worth: $15 million

Early Life and Education

Sonny Bill Williams was born on August 3, 1985, in Auckland, New Zealand, and he is now 39 as of 2024.

He is the son of Ioane (“John”) Williams, who is of Samoan descent, and Lee Woolsey, who is half-New Zealander and half-Australian.

He has an older brother, John Arthur, and younger twin sisters, Niall and Denise.

He grew up in a low-income area of Auckland, where he faced racism and violence. He attended Owairaka School, Wesley Intermediate, and Mount Albert Grammar School.

He played rugby league and rugby union from a young age and was scouted by the Canterbury Bulldogs when he was 15. He moved to Sydney, Australia, to join the Bulldogs in 2002.

Personal Life

Sonny Bill Williams married Alana Raffie, a former model and dancer, in 2013. They have four children: Imaan, Aisha, Zaid, and Essa.

Williams converted to Islam in 2009 after being influenced by his Muslim friends and teammates.

He has been outspoken about his religion and has participated in various charitable and humanitarian causes, such as supporting refugees, victims of war, and the Christchurch mosque shootings.

He has also been involved in controversies, such as having an affair with Candice Warner, refusing to wear a sponsor’s logo, and abruptly leaving his rugby contracts.

Career

Sonny Bill Williams started his professional rugby league career with the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2004 and quickly became one of the best players in the NRL.

He won the 2004 NRL Premiership, the 2004 Dally M Rookie of the Year, and the 2007 Dally M Lock of the Year.

He represented New Zealand in 12 international matches, winning the 2008 World Cup and the 2013 Four Nations.

He also boxed professionally since 2009, winning 10 out of 10 fights. He was the NZPBA and WBA International Heavyweight Champion but was stripped of these titles after failing to respond to challenges.

In 2008, he shocked the rugby world by walking out on his contract with the Bulldogs and joining Toulon in France without permission.

He switched to rugby union and played for various clubs in France, Japan, and New Zealand. He also played for the All Blacks in 58 tests, winning the 2011 and 2015 World Cups and the 2017 Rugby Championship.

He became the first player to win the NRL and the Rugby World Cup. He also played rugby sevens for New Zealand, participating in the 2016 Olympics.

After a brief stint with the Toronto Wolfpack, he retired from both rugby codes in 2021, which ended in financial troubles.

Awards

Some of the awards that Sonny Bill Williams has won throughout his career are:

• 2004 NRL Premiership.
• 2004 Dally M Rookie of the Year.
• 2007 Dally M Lock of the Year.
• 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
• 2011 Rugby World Cup.
• 2012 Super Rugby.
• 2013 Four Nations.
• 2015 Rugby World Cup.
• 2017 Rugby Championship.
• NZPBA Heavyweight Champion.
• WBA International Heavyweight Champion.

Net Worth

Sonny Bill Williams has an estimated net worth of $15 million. He has earned his wealth from his rugby and boxing careers, endorsements, and sponsorships.

He has been one of the highest-paid rugby players in the world, earning up to $10 million NZD per season.

Controversy

Sonny Bill Williams has been involved in several controversial incidents throughout his career, such as:

• Walking out on his contract with the Bulldogs in 2008 and joining Toulon in France without permission.
• Being banned for four weeks for a shoulder charge on South Africa’s Bryan Habana in 2010.
• Being accused of having an affair with Australian model and socialite Candice Warner in 2007, which led to a public feud with her husband, cricketer David Warner.
• Refused to wear the logo of Bank of New Zealand, a Blues sponsor, on his jersey in 2017, citing his Islamic faith and opposition to banks that charge interest.
• Being criticized for his poor performance and high salary with the Toronto Wolfpack in 2020 before leaving the club amid financial troubles.

Social Media

• Instagram: @sonnybillwilliams
• Twitter: @SonnyBWilliams