Martina Navratilova: Tennis, Defection, Cancer, and Controversy

Few athletes have lived as many lives as Martina Navratilova. She defected from a communist regime, dominated tennis for nearly two decades, came out as gay long before it was safe, and then faced a double cancer diagnosis in 2023. This is the full story of her career, her controversies, and her unrelenting drive to live on her own terms.

Singles Titles: 167 (all-time record) ·
Weeks at World No. 1: 332 ·
Wimbledon Singles Titles: 9 (record) ·
Total Grand Slams: 59 ·
Career Win Percentage: 86.8%

The following table summarizes Martina Navratilova’s essential biographical data.

What Is Martina Navratilova Diagnosed With?

In January 2023, Martina Navratilova disclosed that she had been diagnosed with both stage 1 throat cancer and stage 1 breast cancer, according to the WTA Tennis (governing body for women’s professional tennis). Doctors found the throat cancer after she noticed an enlarged lymph node during the WTA Finals in Fort Worth in November 2022. The cancers were caught at an early stage, and Navratilova said the prognosis was good.

Was Martina Navratilova a smoker?

Navratilova has been open about being a former smoker. She smoked from her early twenties into her thirties, a habit she later said she deeply regretted. During her treatment in 2023, she underwent AARP (senior-focused lifestyle publisher) simultaneously — an intense regimen. By March 2023, she announced that doctors believed she was cancer-free, and in March 2024 she confirmed her cancer was in remission.

The implication: Navratilova’s experience serves as a powerful reminder that early detection dramatically improves outcomes — even for patients with multiple cancers and a history of smoking.

Why Was Martina Navratilova Stripped of Her Citizenship?

In 1975, at the age of 18, Navratilova defected to the United States during a tournament in New York. She requested political asylum, citing the oppressive conditions in communist Czechoslovakia. The U.S. granted her citizenship in 1981. In retaliation, Wikipedia (community-encyclopedia resource) — a move that remained in effect until the Velvet Revolution in 1989, when the new Czech government reinstated her citizenship.

What this means: Navratilova’s lost citizenship did not slow her rise; it only added to her narrative of resilience.

How Many Wives Has Martina Navratilova Had?

Navratilova has been married once. She married Julia Lemigova, a former Soviet Miss Universe runner-up, in December 2014. The couple has two children together — Ruby and Emma, Lemigova’s children from a previous relationship whom Navratilova has raised as her own. Before Lemigova, Navratilova had long-term relationships with Judy Nelson (a former beauty queen and novelist) and Rita Mae Brown (the novelist), but never married.

The pattern: Navratilova has never shied away from publicizing the unconventional parts of her life.

Do Martina and Julia have an open marriage?

Yes. Navratilova has discussed their open marriage openly in interviews, including with The Times (UK broadsheet newspaper). She has described the arrangement as one that works for them, allowing both partners freedom while maintaining their deep emotional bond. The couple has said their relationship is built on trust and communication rather than traditional monogamy.

Has Martina Navratilova got kids?

Navratilova does not have biological children. She is stepmother to Lemigova’s two daughters, Ruby and Emma, whom she has described as her children. The couple raised the girls together, and Navratilova has spoken about the joys and challenges of blended family life.

What is the age difference between Martina Navratilova and her wife?

The age difference between Navratilova and Lemigova is 21 years. Navratilova was born in 1956, and Lemigova in 1977. The couple has said the gap has never been an issue for them, and that they are aligned on values and life goals.

What Did Martina Navratilova Say About Donald Trump?

Navratilova has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump. She has called his policies on immigration “xenophobic” and described his behavior toward women as “appalling.” In a widely shared interview, she said Trump was “unfit for office.”

Trump was unfit for office. — Martina Navratilova

Her comments have drawn both praise from her liberal followers and sharp backlash from conservative commentators, but Navratilova has never softened her stance.

What Is Martina Navratilova’s Tennis Legacy?

Navratilova’s legacy is defined by numbers that still stand decades later. She won ABC News Australia (Australian public broadcaster) — 18 singles, 31 doubles, and 10 mixed doubles. Her rivalry with Chris Evert remains one of the most celebrated in sports, with Evert once saying Navratilova “made me a better player.”

She made me a better player. — Chris Evert

She spent 332 weeks at world No. 1, a record for both men and women in its era. The trade-off: Navratilova’s domination came at a price — few players could challenge her, and she sometimes struggled with loneliness on tour.

How many Grand Slam titles did Martina Navratilova win?

Navratilova won 59 Grand Slam titles in total, an all-time record for combined singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. This includes 18 singles titles, 31 women’s doubles titles, and 10 mixed doubles titles. The next closest in the Open Era is Serena Williams with 39.

What is Martina Navratilova’s net worth?

Navratilova’s net worth is estimated at $25 million according to multiple sources. Her wealth comes from prize money, endorsement deals with brands including Nike and Wilson, book deals, and a speaking career. She also served as a commentator for Tennis Channel and occasionally does coaching.

Martina Navratilova’s Age and Early Life

Navratilova was born on October 18, 1956, in Prague, Czechoslovakia. She began playing tennis at age 4, coached by her stepfather. By 15, she was the national junior champion. She turned professional in 1975 and immediately made her mark, winning her first Grand Slam title at the French Open that same year.

How old is Martina Navratilova?

Navratilova is 67 years old as of 2024. She was born on October 18, 1956.

Where was Martina Navratilova born?

She was born in Prague, then part of Czechoslovakia. Today, the city is the capital of the Czech Republic. Navratilova still speaks Czech fluently and maintains ties to the country.

For Navratilova, every era has been defined by defiance — whether against a regime, an opponent, or a disease.

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