Ian Rush is a name synonymous with football greatness, particularly for Liverpool fans. The legendary Welsh striker, who is now 62 years old, is regarded as one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of English football. While much of the public knows Rush for his accomplishments on the pitch, many are also curious about his personal life — especially regarding his relationships. So, who is Ian Rush’s wife? Here’s an in-depth look at his personal life, family, and relationship history as of 2025.
Ian Rush’s Early Personal Life and Marriage
Ian Rush was previously married to his longtime partner, Tracy Rush. The couple married in 1987, during the peak of Rush’s footballing career. Tracy was often seen as the quiet strength behind Rush’s public persona. Their relationship spanned nearly two decades, during which they built a family and shared the ups and downs of Ian’s high-profile football career.
Tracy and Ian have two children together: Jonathan and Daniel. Throughout much of Ian’s playing career, Tracy maintained a relatively low profile, preferring to focus on family life while Ian traveled across Europe representing clubs such as Liverpool, Juventus, and Leeds United. However, in 2003, after 17 years of marriage, Ian and Tracy divorced.
Despite their split, Ian has spoken publicly about maintaining a strong co-parenting relationship with Tracy for the sake of their children. The couple’s amicable separation allowed both to focus on raising their sons while moving forward with their individual lives.
Ian Rush’s Partner After Divorce
Following his divorce from Tracy Rush, Ian’s love life remained mostly private for several years. However, in the late 2000s, Rush began a relationship with TV presenter and journalist Carol Anthony. The Irish-born media personality and singer became widely known for her work on television and her ventures in the music industry.
Ian and Carol have been in a long-term relationship since approximately 2010, and although they are not officially married as of 2025, they have been together for over a decade. The couple often appears together at public events, charity functions, and football-related ceremonies.
Carol Anthony, who is significantly younger than Rush, has frequently been credited with bringing a fresh sense of energy and companionship to the football icon’s life. The pair split briefly in 2019 but later reconciled, solidifying their relationship even further. While marriage rumors have occasionally surfaced, both Rush and Anthony have expressed contentment with their current status and have not announced any official wedding plans.
Family Life and Current Status in 2025
Today, Ian Rush enjoys a balanced personal and professional life. He is close to his sons, who are now adults, and he often speaks about the importance of family. Despite the challenges that come with high-profile relationships and media scrutiny, Rush appears to have found stability and happiness in his relationship with Carol Anthony.
Carol herself has also spoken in interviews about their shared interests, especially their love for travel, fitness, and charitable work. The couple often splits time between the UK and Ireland, attending social and football events, including those related to Liverpool FC, where Rush continues to serve as a club ambassador.
Professional Life Post-Retirement
Beyond his family and personal relationships, Ian Rush remains highly active in the football world. As Liverpool’s all-time leading goal scorer with 346 goals, he is a living legend at Anfield. In recent years, Rush has taken on ambassadorial roles, including representing Liverpool FC globally and working with UEFA on various football-related initiatives.
Additionally, Rush contributes regularly as a football pundit and guest speaker. His insights into the modern game are highly sought after, and he often appears on sports networks and at football forums. Rush also participates in charity events, leveraging his football legacy to raise funds for children’s hospitals, cancer research, and youth sports programs.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
As of 2025, Ian Rush’s net worth is estimated to be around $20 million, accumulated through his football earnings, ambassadorial duties, endorsements, and media appearances. While he no longer plays professionally, Rush has maintained a strong presence in the public eye, especially among Liverpool fans and the broader football community.
Rush and Carol Anthony lead a comfortable lifestyle, often seen enjoying holidays across Europe and attending major footballing and entertainment events. Despite their high-profile lives, both are known to keep their private lives relatively guarded, rarely sharing intimate details beyond what is publicly visible at events or interviews.
Final Thoughts
While Ian Rush’s name will always be associated with football greatness, his personal life — including his former marriage to Tracy Rush and his current long-term relationship with Carol Anthony — reveals a softer, more human side to the legend. At 62 years old, Rush seems to have found a balance between his legacy as a football icon and his private life as a devoted partner and father.
As one of the most respected figures in football history, Rush continues to inspire not just on the pitch but through his roles as a mentor, ambassador, and family man. Whether appearing at Anfield on match days or attending charity galas with Carol Anthony, Ian Rush remains a beloved figure, proving that life after football can be just as impactful as life on the pitch.
