14 facts you didn't know about USA rugby star Ilona Maher

Thursday, 21 August 2025 at 11:32

byRugby Rucker

As England gear up for their Women’s Rugby World Cup opener against the USA on Friday, all eyes will be on the Eagles’ dynamic star Ilona Maher.

Born in Burlington, Vermont, Maher didn’t pick up a rugby ball until she was 17, yet she has quickly risen to become one of the sport’s most electrifying figures.

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From winning multiple collegiate championships with Quinnipiac University to representing the USA at the Olympics and turning into a social media sensation, Maher combines athleticism, charisma, and advocacy in a way few athletes can match.

Here are 14 facts you probably didn’t know about the woman set to challenge England on the world stage.

1. Middle sister and global influencer

Born August 12, 1996, in Burlington, Vermont, Ilona is the middle of three sisters. Her mother, Mieneke, is Dutch and a nurse; her father played rugby at Saint Michael’s College. Maher’s older sister, Olivia, coined the TikTok trend “girl dinner.”

2. From Norwich to Quinnipiac – a quick pivot

She started at Norwich University before transferring to Quinnipiac University, where coach Becky Carlson shifted her from a prop to an influential center, propelling her to collegiate stardom.

3. Academic powerhouse with a dual degree

Ilona earned her bachelor’s in nursing from Quinnipiac in 2018 and later obtained an MBA from DeVry University.

4. Award-winning college rugby star

During her Quinnipiac years, she won three NIRA championships, earned NIRA All-America honours each year, and clinched the MA Sorensen Award in 2017. She was named Most Outstanding Player in 2018.

5. Rugby sevens Olympic debut in Paris

She made her U.S. sevens debut in 2018 and starred at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, returning in 2024 to help the USA lift its first-ever Olympic medal in women’s rugby sevens—a bronze.

6. A comeback from serious injury

In 2023, Ilona suffered a dislocated tibia and broken fibula during a training collision. But after rehabilitation and her mother's support, she was back in time to help Team USA win gold at the Pan American Games.

7. Trailblazing media and modeling icon

A champion of body positivity, she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2024 and again in 2025—posing with her Olympic bronze—and was celebrated as a feminist trailblazer.

8. Massive social media reach

Maher is the most followed rugby player on Instagram, with over 5 million followers, and commands 3.6 million on TikTok—surpassing icons like Siya Kolisi. She’s become the social face of women’s rugby.

9. Known for red lipstick on and off the pitch

Dubbed the “Lipstick Queen,” Ilona rocks bold red lipstick during games, blending femininity with her powerhouse playing style.

10. Fit for Dancing With the Stars

In 2024, she placed second on Dancing With the Stars, partnered with Alan Bersten, proving her skills extend well beyond the pitch.

11. ESPYs history-maker

Ilona was the first rugby athlete ever nominated for—and ultimately won—the Best Breakthrough Athlete award at the ESPYs in 2025, delivering a powerful message to tune into the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

12. Advocacy meets authenticity

Her viral TikToks and Instagram content layer humor, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and candid discussions—like dismissing BMI criticisms—to spread body positivity and elevate women’s sport visibility.

13. Endorsements with impact

Beyond being a Secret deodorant ambassador, she co-founded the Medalist skincare line with swimmer Ann Ragan Kearns. Her Tedx talk in 2022 further underscores her commitment to empowering voices.

14. Switching codes for World Cup ambition

In December 2024, Ilona signed with England’s Bristol Bears to pursue 15s rugby and secure her spot for the 2025 Rugby World Cup. Her signing proved so popular, the Bears expanded their home stadium to accommodate the demand.