Michael Owen was born on 14 December 1979 in Chester, England. He stood at just 1.73 m tall—a modest height in football terms—but what made him special was explosiveness, razor‑sharp finishing, and searing pace. He broke into Liverpool’s first team in 1996 as a teenager, scoring on his Premier League debut. In the 1997–98 season he shared the Golden Boot and was voted Premier League Player of the Season.
By December 2001, aged 22, he’d led Liverpool to a treble (UEFA Cup, FA Cup, League Cup) and won the Ballon d’Or—becoming the last Englishman to do so, and the first since Kevin Keegan in 1979. He later admitted he didn’t even know what the Ballon d’Or was when Gerard Houllier phoned to tell him—“What’s that, gaffer?” he said—before rushing to look it up.
England legend in numbers
Owen earned 89 caps for England, scoring 40 goals—breaking through early at the 1998 World Cup by scoring a sensational solo goal against Argentina. He remains the only England player to score in four consecutive major tournaments (World Cups and Euros). Of his club career, he notched 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool, followed by spells at Real Madrid (16 goals in 45 games), Newcastle United (30 in 79), Manchester United (17 in 52) and finally Stoke City (1 in 9) before retiring in mid‑2013.
Early life and family roots
Michael was the fourth child of Jeanette and Terry Owen—his dad a pro footballer who played for Chester City and Everton. From age eight he was setting records at Mold Alexandra and the Deeside youth teams—97 goals in one season and often playing years above his age group. He had ten GCSEs alongside his rising football profile and was clearly headed for big things early on.
Personal life home and family
Michael met Louise Bonsall at primary school in 1984—they stayed together through their teenage years and eventually got married on 24 June 2005, after an engagement on Valentine’s Day. They live near Mold, in north Wales, at Lower Soughton Manor, and now raise their four children there: daughter Gemma Rose (born May 1, 2003), son James Michael (6 February 2006), daughter Emily May (29 October 2007), and daughter Jessica (26 February 2010).
In January 2024 Owen shared how his son James had been diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition, when he was eight—showing a tender, human side to his life after football.
Net worth, lifestyle, new passions
Though figures vary, reputable estimates place Michael Owen net worth at around £35 million, thanks to a combination of earnings from football, pensions, media work, horse racing, property and brand deals.
After he retired in March 2013, Owen turned his attention to horse racing. He founded Manor House Stables in Malpas, north Wales, breeding and owning several horses. One of his best, Brown Panther, won big races like the 2011 Royal Ascot and the 2015 Dubai Gold Cup. His horse Zoffee also claimed the Chester Cup in 2022—a testament to how seriously he takes his racing interests.
He owns multiple homes on the same street in Ewloe, lives with Louise and their children, and even keeps his Eurocopter Dauphin helicopter at home—with a helipad built in the garden—for business and personal travel. At one point Newcastle United banned him from learning to fly it because of insurance issues.
Media career and public face
These days, Owen is a familiar figure on TNT Sports (previously BT Sport), regularly giving football punditry—sharpened by his own experience and humor, never corporate-speak. He also appears occasionally on other platforms talking about football, management, and current players. In recent interviews he’s shown empathy and honesty—talking about booed players like Trent Alexander‑Arnold, remembering how he himself was reduced to tears when Anfield fans turned on him after his Liverpool exit.
His candidness extends to internet culture too: he addressed the infamous 1999 “well done, he’s 13” meme—explaining it was meant to be ironic and playful, though many took it out of context. He clarified that the video was exaggerated by producers for showmanship, not spoiled behavior.
Brand partnerships and ambassadorships
Michael Owen has served as a brand ambassador for ventures like the Pakistan Football League (PFL), visiting Pakistan to launch the PFL with ex‑teammates Emile Heskey and Pascal Chimbonda. That trip caused city‑wide excitement, proof that his appeal remains global—even in places where he may not be as domestically recognized.
He described it as a chance to help kickstart football in a country hungry for it. He’s also worked with Colossus Bets and others, though he stepped into controversy in June 2022 after promoting an unlicensed crypto casino via social media—leading the UK ASA to order deletion of the posts for breaching advertising rules.
Recent and upcoming appearances
Late in 2024, he filmed a cameo in the Egyptian football‑drama El Hareefa 2, surprising many since he has described himself as someone who “hates films”—he claimed to have only watched eight movies in his life. The sequel debuted in Egyptian cinemas on 4 December (Arab world on 5 December), and Owen was pictured exploring Cairo landmarks like the Pyramids and Sphinx as part of promotions—showing a side of him that’s playful and open to new experiences.
He continues to make public appearances and predictions: in August 2025 he made a bold claim about where Chelsea will finish next season and tossed aside one… expected contender. And rumor has it he’ll be doing “An Evening with Michael Owen” in October 2025—a live event to mingle with fans, share stories, take questions—nothing corporate at all, just real life and memory. A chance to sit and listen to him again, in person, about those Liverpool days and beyond.
What he looks like today
As of mid‑2025, Michael Owen is 45 years old. He carries himself lean and fit—never a bulky striker, but disciplined in fitness and posture. He wears his short trimmed haircut (often streaked silver now), usually smart casual in public: polo shirts or crisp jackets, trending understated, confident, at ease in his skin.
On social media—mainly Twitter X and Instagram—he’s active but measured: match commentary, horse racing highlights, family photos (rare but warm), and cause-related posts. No flashiness, just focused energy. His posts around events like the PFL launch in Pakistan or the Cairo film shoot often show him smiling with local fans, touching base with the communities he visits.
What motivates him now
You get the sense Michael Owen’s motivation isn’t chasing glory anymore—it’s about legacy, family, and giving back. He’s mentoring young players and coaches, promoting grassroots football, helping launch leagues where football is still finding its footing—like Pakistan’s PFL.
Talking about his own youth, the discipline, the success, and the injuries, he repeatedly cautions younger pros to prepare for life after playing. He’s spoken openly about mental health challenges retiring athletes face—and how staying busy with racing, business, media, and family saved him from the heartbreak many feel post-retirement .
Summing it up
So, where is Michael Owen now? He’s here—in a calm, grounded chapter of life. A devoted family man raising four children. A successful racehorse owner and breeder with tangible wins like Brown Panther and Zoffee. A respected pundit with clarity and compassion. An ambassador of football to places that crave his experience. A public personality with enough humility to admit the downsides: booed by former fans, parenting a child with vision loss, reflecting honestly on his past.
