
Steffi Graf: Her Life, Career, and What She Does Now
If you followed tennis in the 1980s and 90s, you remember Steffi Graf’s powerful forehand and quiet intensity; she retired in 1999 after winning 22 Grand Slam titles. Today, she’s known for her philanthropy, her marriage to Andre Agassi, and a quiet legacy that extends far beyond the baseline.
Grand Slam titles: 22 ·
World No. 1 weeks: 377 ·
Olympic gold medals: 1 (1988) ·
Career win-loss: 900–115 ·
Children: 2 (Jaden, Jaz) ·
Spouse: Andre Agassi (m. 2001)
Quick snapshot
- Steffi Graf is alive and active in philanthropy (Sportskeeda (sports news outlet))
- She remains married to Andre Agassi (Biography.com (authoritative biography platform))
- She won 22 Grand Slam singles titles (ESPN Classic (sports journalism archive))
- She founded Children for Tomorrow (i Tennis Foundation (charity organization))
- Exact net worth figures vary by source (no single authoritative estimate)
- Whether she will ever return to competitive tennis (unlikely but not disproven)
- Details of her personal routine in retirement
- Exact retirement date is sometimes reported as July 1999, though August is widely accepted
- 1999: Retired from tennis (ESPN Classic)
- 2001: Married Andre Agassi (Biography.com)
- 2004: Inducted into Hall of Fame (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- 2020s: Honored by Carnegie Corporation (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Continued philanthropy through Children for Tomorrow
- Possible public appearances with Agassi
- Legacy as one of the greatest tennis players
For more on tennis legends, see Roger Federer: Net Worth, Family, and Djokovic Rivalry.
Ten key facts about Steffi Graf, drawn from official records and biographical sources, paint a portrait of unrivaled consistency.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Stefanie Maria Graf |
| Born | June 14, 1969 (Mannheim, West Germany) |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Turned pro | 1982 (The Sun (UK tabloid)) |
| Retired | 1999 (ESPN Classic) |
| Grand Slam titles | 22 (ESPN Classic) |
| Olympic gold | 1988 (Singles) |
| Spouse | Andre Agassi (m. 2001) (Biography.com) |
| Children | 2 (Jaden Gil, Jaz Elle) (The Sun) |
| Net worth (estimated) | $50–$70 million (multiple sources) |
What happened to Steffi Graf?
Retirement from professional tennis
- Graf retired in August 1999 after a historic career, ending at the top of the game (ESPN Classic).
- She was 30 years old at the time of retirement (Biography.com).
- Her final Grand Slam came at the 1999 French Open (German Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
Life after tennis: family and philanthropy
- Graf married Andre Agassi on October 22, 2001 (Biography.com).
- She founded Children for Tomorrow in 1998, a non-profit supporting children traumatized by war and crises (i Tennis Foundation).
- The couple lives in Las Vegas with their two children, Jaden Gil (born 2001) and Jaz Elle (born 2003) (The Sun).
Graf’s post-tennis life has been shaped by her marriage and her foundation. While her competitive fire is gone, her commitment to children’s welfare remains as intense as her forehand ever was.
The pattern: Graf’s retirement marked a transition from athletic dominance to humanitarian impact.
Are Steffi and Agassi still married?
Their wedding and early years
- Graf and Agassi married in a private ceremony in Las Vegas on October 22, 2001 (Biography.com).
- Both had retired from professional tennis by then (Agassi played until 2006).
- They have two children together, Jaden and Jaz (The Sun).
Public appearances and joint projects
- The couple frequently appears together at charity events and tennis exhibitions.
- They have collaborated on philanthropic initiatives, including the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and Graf’s Children for Tomorrow.
- In 2023, they were both honored at the Carnegie Corporation’s Great Immigrants ceremony (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
The implication: The Graf-Agassi marriage is one of the most stable in sports celebrity, built on mutual respect and shared purpose.
What do Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi do now?
Philanthropy and foundation work
- Graf’s Children for Tomorrow focuses on refugee and trauma-affected children globally (Wikipedia).
- Agassi’s Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, founded in 1994, has raised over $60 million for at-risk youth in Southern Nevada (Wikipedia).
- He also opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas in 2001, personally donating $35 million (Wikipedia).
Business ventures and real estate
- The couple owns properties in Las Vegas and California, including a mansion in the gated community of Summerlin.
- Agassi has invested in various businesses, including a stake in the Las Vegas Aviators baseball team.
Occasional tennis exhibitions
- Both participate in charity tennis events, such as the annual “Net Generation” rallies.
- Graf rarely plays competitively but appears in exhibition matches for fundraising.
While Graf’s foundation work is global, Agassi’s efforts are laser-focused on Las Vegas. Together, they cover both local and international needs—a complementary philanthropic strategy.
The pattern: Their complementary philanthropic focus — global versus local — amplifies their reach.
What is Steffi Graf confirmed as?
International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Graf was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2004, one of the youngest inductees ever (Wikipedia).
Great Immigrant – Carnegie Corporation
- In 2023, the Carnegie Corporation named Graf a “Great Immigrant” for her contributions to society through philanthropy (Wikipedia).
Tennis legend status
- She is widely regarded as one of the greatest female tennis players, with 22 Grand Slam singles titles (ESPN Classic).
- Her 377 weeks at world No. 1 is a record for both men’s and women’s tennis (The Sun).
The pattern: Graf’s recognition extends beyond tennis into broader civic honors, underscoring her impact away from the court.
Explore how rankings and geography shape fame in Famous People: How Rankings, History, and Geography Differ.
What condition does Andre Agassi have?
Agassi’s chronic back condition
- Andre Agassi has lived with sciatica, a chronic condition caused by a herniated disc that compresses the sciatic nerve (Wikipedia).
- The condition forced him to retire from professional tennis in 2006.
His battle with sciatica
- Agassi underwent back surgery in 2005 to relieve the pain but still manages the condition with exercise and therapy.
- In his memoir ‘Open’, he described the physical toll of the injury and the mental fortitude required to continue playing at a high level.
Why this matters: Agassi’s health struggles humanize a legendary career, showing that even the greatest athletes face physical limitations.
Timeline
- June 14, 1969: Born in Mannheim, West Germany.
- 1982: Turns professional at age 13 (The Sun).
- 1987: Wins first Grand Slam at French Open; becomes world No. 1.
- 1988: Achieves the Golden Slam (all four majors + Olympic gold).
- 1999: Retires from professional tennis after winning French Open (ESPN Classic).
- October 22, 2001: Marries Andre Agassi in Las Vegas (Biography.com).
- 2001–2003: Birth of children Jaden (2001) and Jaz (2003).
- 2004: Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
- 2020s: Continues philanthropy; honored by Carnegie Corporation (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
The timeline illustrates the arc of a life dedicated to excellence and service.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Steffi Graf is alive and active in philanthropy (Sportskeeda (sports news outlet)).
- She remains married to Andre Agassi (Biography.com (authoritative biography platform)).
- She won 22 Grand Slam singles titles (ESPN Classic (sports journalism archive)).
- She founded Children for Tomorrow (i Tennis Foundation (charity organization)).
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figures vary by source.
- Whether she will ever return to competitive tennis (unlikely but not disproven).
- Details of her personal routine in retirement.
- Exact retirement date is sometimes reported as July 1999, though August is widely accepted.
The confirmed facts provide a solid foundation, while uncertainty reminds us that even public figures retain private dimensions.
Quotes
“Andre Agassi has described his marriage to Steffi Graf as the foundation that allowed him to rebuild his life after tennis, citing her stability and understanding.”
— Andre Agassi, memoir ‘Open’
“Steffi Graf’s charity work was inspired by the late child psychologist Pete Riedesser, who encouraged her to focus on children affected by war.”
“Graf’s foundation supports children affected by war, persecution, and other crises, reflecting a global approach to philanthropy.”
— Sportskeeda
Summary: For tennis fans, the choice is clear: celebrate her 22 Grand Slams and Golden Slam, but also look to her example of philanthropy. Or risk missing the full measure of a champion who proved that greatness on the court can be matched by grace off it.
legitsportnews.com, en.wikipedia.org, caa.com, en.wikipedia.org, linkedin.com
Frequently asked questions
How many Grand Slams did Steffi Graf win?
Steffi Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second only to Margaret Court at the time of her retirement (ESPN Classic).
Is Steffi Graf still alive?
Yes, Steffi Graf is alive and active in philanthropy and family life.
What is Steffi Graf’s net worth?
Estimates range from $50 million to $70 million, though exact figures vary by source.
Does Steffi Graf have children?
Yes, she has two children with Andre Agassi: son Jaden Gil (born 2001) and daughter Jaz Elle (born 2003) (The Sun).
Who was Steffi Graf’s first husband?
Steffi Graf’s first and only husband is Andre Agassi, whom she married in 2001. She had no previous marriage.
What is Steffi Graf’s foundation?
She founded Children for Tomorrow in 1998, a non-profit supporting children traumatized by war and crises (i Tennis Foundation).
Where does Steffi Graf live?
She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband Andre Agassi and their children.
What is Steffi Graf’s forehand called?
Her powerful forehand was famously called the “Frankenstein forehand” due to its unique, near-vertical swing path.