Ronnie O’Sullivan isn’t just a snooker player, he’s the Rocket, a once in a lifetime sporting genius who has spent 30 years setting records, shattering conventions, and keeping journalists busy with both his brilliance and his chaos. The seven time world champion has a net worth that rivals Premier League footballers, yet insists that “money alone” is never the motivation. His victories at the World Snooker Championship are legendary, his relationship with actress Laila Rouass has dominated gossip columns, and his lucrative sponsorship deals with tech firms like Rokit keep his bank balance booming.
As we head into 2025, O’Sullivan’s story remains the perfect cocktail of drama and dominance. He’s still chasing trophies, still making headlines, and still living a life as unpredictable as one of his 147 breaks.
The Rocket’s Rise to Stardom
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s snooker career is the stuff of legend. Born in Wordsley, raised in Essex, he was thrust into the spotlight by his father Ronnie Sr, who urged him to embrace his natural gift. By 17, O’Sullivan had already won his first ranking title and was being hailed as the next great snooker star.
Thirty years ago, the snooker world was shaken when a teenager dismantled seasoned pros with alarming ease. His rapid style earned him the nickname “the Rocket,” and the sport had found a showman to match the likes of Alex Higgins. Barry Hearn said back then that O’Sullivan could change snooker forever and he was right.
Since then, O’Sullivan has claimed 39 ranking titles, including multiple UK Championships and six World Grand Prix titles. His victories at the Shanghai Masters brought global fame, while his performances at the World Masters proved he wasn’t just dominant in Britain but admired worldwide. Each tournament added another layer to the Rocket’s snooker legend, ensuring his name would be etched alongside the game’s greatest.
Prize Money Alone and Career Earnings
If there’s one number that makes jaws drop, it’s O’Sullivan’s total career earnings. Across three decades, he has banked £14.5m in prize money alone, a staggering figure for a sport that once struggled for mainstream respect.
Early 2024 was another bumper spell for the Rocket. He pocketed £1.25m in prize money across events like the Championship League in Leicester and the exotic tournament in Thailand, while still finding time to toy with rivals at the Shanghai Masters. O’Sullivan also reached new heights on the tour, reminding fans that at 48, his snooker career was nowhere near over.
Add in his sponsorship income and book royalties, and O’Sullivan’s net worth sits comfortably between £12m and £15m. The figure is constantly debated, some say it’s closer to £20m once you include property and investments, but even the conservative estimates prove he’s comfortably the wealthiest snooker player in history.
Sponsorship Deals and the Rokit Connection
Prize money alone doesn’t explain the Rocket’s fortune. His financial success has been fuelled by lucrative sponsorship deals, particularly in the last decade.
In recent years, O’Sullivan has signed lucrative sponsorship deals with tech companies, aligning himself with brands beyond the traditional cues and chalk. His sponsorship deals with tech firm Rokit have been especially lucrative. The deals with tech firm Rokit linked O’Sullivan to a younger, global audience, taking his image from baize hall hero to lifestyle brand ambassador.
This isn’t just about money. Aligning with Rokit has given O’Sullivan a new profile, moving him into spheres that many snooker players never dream of. It’s a far cry from the Rocket’s early family associations with sex shops in Soho run by Ronnie Sr. These days, O’Sullivan’s image is global, sleek, and lucrative.
Personal Life: From Rouass to Family Drama
If Ronnie’s snooker career has been dazzling, his personal life has been just as colourful.
The Rocket’s relationship with Laila Rouass began in 2012 when Rouass, fresh from roles in EastEnders, Holby City and Footballers’ Wives, started dating him. Their romance quickly became a favourite in the tabloids. Rouass, glamorous and outspoken, was the perfect match for O’Sullivan, whose moody genius often needed balance.
Split from EastEnders Actress Rouass
In 2022, fans were shocked when the pair announced their split. The headlines about his split from EastEnders actress Laila Rouass dominated gossip magazines, and many assumed it was the end. But as is often the case with O’Sullivan, nothing was simple. By late 2023 and into early 2024, they were spotted together again, sparking speculation about reconciliation. Their relationship with Laila Rouass has always been unpredictable, keeping fans guessing much like his form on the baize.
Children and Family Roots
O’Sullivan has three children from previous relationships, including Ronnie Jr and a daughter with Jo Langley. Managing fatherhood alongside a global snooker career has been no easy task, yet O’Sullivan often speaks fondly of his kids. His personal life has never been straightforward, but it remains a central part of his public identity.
Ronnie Sr and the Early Shadows
Behind every snooker star lies a story, and Ronnie’s begins with his father. Ronnie Sr once ran sex shops in Soho and had connections with infamous figures like Charlie Kray. When Ronnie Sr was jailed, it cast a long shadow over his son’s life.
“Tell Ronnie”
O’Sullivan has often recounted how his father, from behind bars, would pass on advice through visitors. “Tell Ronnie,” he’d say, ensuring his son stayed focused. That guidance helped steady the young Rocket at a time when many thought his career might collapse under the weight of expectation and scandal.
Reinvention Beyond Snooker
What sets O’Sullivan apart from other snooker stars is his constant reinvention.
Estate Agent and Other Roles
At one point, he even dabbled as an estate agent, showing properties to keep busy away from the baize. He’s published novels, fronted documentaries, and become a media figure in his own right. Friends in the entertainment industry, from Sally Magnus to BCE Riley, showcase how far his influence extends.
Snooker Star Later
Even with these ventures, the Rocket always returns to the table. The snooker star later admitted that life without snooker feels hollow, and it is only on the green baize that he truly feels alive.
Rivalries and the Road
Of all O’Sullivan’s rivalries, few match the intensity of his ongoing battles with Ali Carter.
Carter at the 2025 World
Snooker fans are already buzzing about O’Sullivan’s clash with Ali Carter at the 2025 World Snooker Championship. The Rocket versus Carter at the 2025 World is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic encounters in years. At nearly 50, O’Sullivan knows time is not on his side, but his genius remains intact.
Snooker Legend and Legacy
Whether it’s the World Masters, the UK Championship, or the World Snooker Championship, O’Sullivan’s name dominates every event he enters.
He is more than just a champion, he is the game itself. A true snooker legend, a showman, and a genius, O’Sullivan also represents the bridge between the sport’s smoky room past and its high tech present.
Conclusion: Ronnie O’Sullivan is Set to Endure
As 2025 unfolds, Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to remain snooker’s ultimate headline act. He’s the seven time world champion, a man with £14.5m in prize money alone, and a fortune bolstered by lucrative sponsorship deals with tech firm Rokit. He’s lived through a split from EastEnders actress Laila Rouass, dabbled as an estate agent, and carried the legacy of Ronnie Sr’s Soho empire. He’s had his share of chaos sex shops, family drama, rivalries, but through it all, he has remained the Rocket.
For all the speculation about his net worth, his fame, and his relationships, one truth remains unshakable: O’Sullivan thrives under the spotlight. And as Barry Hearn said years ago, he isn’t just a snooker player, he’s bigger than the sport itself.
When he steps out against Carter at the 2025 World, the world will be watching. And if history has taught us anything, it’s this: underestimate Ronnie O’Sullivan at your peril.
