Who is Ronnie O'Sullivan? What is the former world snooker champion's net worth and how many books has he written? | The Sun

AS a seven-time World Champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan is one of the greatest players ever to grace the snooker table.

A young prodigy in the sport, O'Sullivan was destined for the top but endured numerous obstacles along the way including dealing with his father in jail for murder and a drug addiction.

Known as 'Rocket' Ronnie because of his speed of play, O'Sullivan has won a record 20 Triple Crown titles with a string of controversies along the way.

And he is hoping to defend his world championship, which is set to start on Saturday at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's background?

As a youngster, the man from West Midlands was a prodigy with the cue in hands.

He made his first century break at the remarkable age of 10 and went on to become British Under-16 Champion by the age of 13.

From there, it was clear that O'Sullivan was destined for great things as he turned professional at the age of 16.

Over the years he has produced moments of sheer magic and forged fierce sporting rivalries with the likes of Stephen Hendry.

He had previously fallen out of love with the game, when he ended up working on a pig farm and had to deal with his father going to jail for murder.

What has Ronnie said about his father?

Ronnie's father, also Ronnie, was jailed in 1992 for the vicious murder of Bruce Bryan, the driver for Charlie Kray – brother of gangsters Ronnie and Reggie — during a fight in a Chelsea nightclub.

However, Ronnie stood up for his father saying: “He was a very generous person and some people took that kindness for weakness and played on it.

That was his downfall. “The loyalty I felt towards my dad . . . I’d do anything he asked.

“My dad used to say it was like a visit to him when he saw me on the TV. I thought, ‘Bloody hell, that’s got to be the most important thing, it’s keeping him going.’

“So I knew I couldn’t give up, even though I was hating it. I couldn’t deprive my dad of that.”

What is Ronnie's professional record?

Throughout his career, Ronnie has won seven Masters, seven World Championships and seven UK Championships. In 2019 – he became the first and only player – to hit 1,000 career century breaks.

He has won a record 21 Triple Crown titles in his illustrious career.

His seventh World Snooker Championship triumph over Judd Trump on 2 May, 2022 saw him go level with Stephen Hendry for most wins of the tournament in the modern era.

What were his most controversial moments?

Ronnie's life wouldn't look out of place in an award-winning novel.

In 1996, in the same tournament where Ronnie drew criticism for "showboating" after playing left-handed, he allegedly head-butted Michael Ganley, an assistant press officer at the time.

He was given a £20,000 fine and a suspended two-year ban.

In 2006 and trailing to Stephen Hendry, he ran out of position from potting the black.

After missing the red, O'Sullivan left his opponent baffled when he shook hands with Hendry and the referee before walking off.

He was fined £20,800. In 1998, Ronnie was stripped of the Irish Masters title after cannabis was in his system.

At the 2016 Welsh Open, O'Sullivan declined the opportunity to make a maximum break, describing the £10,000 prize money on offer as "too cheap."

When was Ronnie given an OBE?

Ronnie was awarded an OBE in the New Year honours in 2015 for the role he has played in snooker.

He collected his award from Prince Charles in May the following year with ex-partner Laila Rouass.

However two years previously he said it would be "a disgrace" for him to receive a honour because of his controversial past.

How many novels has Ronnie O'Sullivan written?

He has written three novels in total, with the latest called Framed which he released in November 2016.

It is about a man called Frankie James whose mother disappeared, his father was in jail and he owed money to the Soho snooker club he inherited to one of London's toughest gangsters.

He revealed the book was based on events from his upbringing.

The other novels are The Break and Double Kiss. Ronnie has also written three autobiographies titled Running (2013), Ronnie (2003) and Unbreakable which he released earlier this year., plus a cookbook, Top of Your Game: Eating for Mind and Body (2019)

What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's net worth?

Since the beginning of his professional career in 1992, Ronnie has won over £8.5million in prize money.

His most successful year came in 2000, when he earned £684,130.

But overall his net worth is believed to be around £32m.

Is Ronnie married? Who's his wife?

Ronnie O'Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.

The Rocket's children are Taylor-Ann Magnus (born in 1996) from a two-year relationship with Sally Magnus, and Lily (born 2006) and Ronnie Jr (born 2007) from a relationship with Jo Langley.

His relationship with Footballers' Wives star Laila Rouass ended in 2022 after the pair parted ways after almost a decade together. The pair had got engaged in 2013.

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