Sharron Davies Net Worth: From Olympic Silver Medallist to BBC Icon and Life Peer

Last Updated on February 16, 2026 by Shamima Khatoon, Lead Data Researcher & Business Journalist

Introduction: Who is Sharron Davies?

Sharron Davies, now Baroness Davies of Devonport, is a British swimming legend whose career has spanned five decades—from competitive athlete to television personality to respected charity advocate and policy influencer. Born in 1962, Sharron is renowned for winning a 1980 Olympic silver medal in the 400-metre individual medley, an achievement that cemented her place in British sporting history. Beyond her Olympic accomplishments, Sharron has built a multifaceted career as a BBC Olympic commentator, media personality, charity advocate, and business entrepreneur. As of January 2026, Sharron was appointed Baroness Davies of Devonport, with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson introducing her to the House of Lords, recognizing both her sporting legacy and extensive advocacy work. Her estimated net worth of approximately £2 million reflects decades of diversified income spanning elite athletics, media, business ventures, and philanthropy.

Sharron Davies’s Early Life and Path to Olympic Glory: From Mount Kelly to Montreal

Sharron Elizabeth Davies was born in Plymouth, Devon, establishing roots in a coastal community with a proud maritime heritage. She began swimming at age six and trained with the Devonport Royal Swimming Association before moving to the Port of Plymouth Swimming Association at age eight. Her father, Terry Davies, became an elite coach and was inducted into the Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021, providing expert mentorship during her formative years.

A critical factor in Sharron’s development was her attendance at Kelly College (now Mount Kelly) in Tavistock, one of the UK’s most elite private swimming schools. Mount Kelly began its competitive swimming program in 1978 with Sharron Davies as one of its founding stars, establishing a legacy of Olympic excellence that continues to define the institution. Her placement at Mount Kelly—a scholarship student reflecting her exceptional early promise—provided access to world-class coaching infrastructure and competitive pathways unavailable in most state schools.

The trajectory of Sharron’s swimming career was extraordinary. At age eleven, she set a record by becoming Britain’s youngest national team swimmer, a distinction that marked her early identification as generational talent. Two years later, at just thirteen, she was selected to represent Great Britain at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, becoming a household name overnight. Despite finishing fifth in her heat, her selection demonstrated exceptional talent at an age when most children were still in secondary school.

Quick Career Timeline:

• Age 6: Began swimming training (Devonport Royal Swimming Association)

• Age 11: Record as Britain’s youngest national team swimmer

• Age 13: 1976 Montreal Olympics (age 13)

• Age 14: Two bronze medals at 1977 European Championships

• Age 15: Two gold medals at 1978 Commonwealth Games

• Age 18: First retirement from competition

• Age 27: Return to competitive swimming (1989)

• Age 30: 1990 Commonwealth Games medals (team captain)

• Age 63: Life peerage appointment (January 2026)

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The 1980 Moscow Olympics: Silver Medal, Doping, and Historic Legacy

The pinnacle of Sharron’s competitive swimming career came at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where she won the silver medal in 400m individual medley. This achievement positioned her as one of Britain’s most successful swimmers, though the medal carried historical significance that would only be fully understood decades later. Sharron finished narrowly behind East German swimmer Petra Schneider, whose victory was later revealed to have been aided by state-sanctioned doping programs.

In 2021, The Times exposed that Schneider’s victory involved systematic doping, adding historical significance to Sharron’s silver medal and creating the possibility of posthumous medal reassessment. The two swimmers later had an emotional reunion documented in a Channel 4 documentary, where Schneider had suffered profound health consequences of doping. This encounter humanized the Cold War-era rivalry and demonstrated Sharron’s capacity for empathy—a quality that would define her later advocacy work on women’s sports fairness.

This personal experience of being denied Olympic gold through state-sponsored cheating became the foundational narrative for her book Unfair Play, co-authored with journalist Craig Lord, examining contemporary challenges to fairness in women’s sports.

Competitive Achievement Summary and Records

Television Career: Building a Broadcasting Legacy

Following her first retirement from competitive swimming at age eighteen, Sharron transitioned into a media career spanning over four decades. She became the BBC’s poolside voice at Olympic Games, covering Seoul, Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, and London Olympics. Her role as poolside interviewer became iconic—she was often the first voice swimmers heard upon leaving the water, providing immediate analysis and emotional connection with audiences worldwide.

Beyond Olympic coverage, Sharron’s television portfolio is remarkably diverse. She hosted The Big Breakfast, appeared on ITV’s version of Blue Peter called Ace Reports, and became widely recognized as Amazon on ITV’s Gladiators (1995-1997). In 2010, she danced on ice with professional skater Pavel Aubrecht in ITV’s Dancing on Ice.

Additional television appearances include Question of Sport, They Think It’s All Over, Britain’s Best Dish, Bear Grylls’ The Island, and various other entertainment programs. Her television work extended to appearing on BBC’s Question Time in 2005, where she advocated for bringing the 2012 Olympics to London—a bid that ultimately succeeded.

Family Life: Marriages, Children, and Personal Resilience

Sharron’s personal life has been marked by both joy and significant challenges. She has been married three times. Her first marriage was to gym manager John Crisp in 1987, ending in divorce in 1991. Her second marriage was to Olympic sprinter Derek Redmond in 1994, with whom she had Elliott and Grace. This marriage ended in divorce in 2000 following Derek’s affair.

Sharron’s third marriage was to British Airways pilot Tony Kingston in 2002, whom she met in 1999 while filming in Australia. Though they separated in 2009, Kingston’s entry into her life proved transformative. Sharron described being drawn to his “ambitious nature and disdain for fame.”

Family Structure (As of January 2026):

• Adult Children: Elliott and Grace (from marriage to Derek Redmond)

• Youngest Child: Finlay John (born 2007, age 19, from marriage to Tony Kingston)

• Grandchildren: One granddaughter, Ariya (age 3)

The birth of Finlay represents one of Sharron’s most courageous personal achievements. She underwent eight rounds of IVF treatment, endured two miscarriages, and cashed in endowment policies to fund treatment. She has described the emotional toll as “an emotional rollercoaster of hoping you will get pregnant every month”.

Sharron’s Charitable Work and the Swim for Life Initiative

Among Sharron’s most significant contributions is the Swim for Life initiative, launched with Princess Diana. This annual event involves 2,000 pools nationwide and has raised millions for charitable causes. The program transforms competitive pools into fundraising platforms, enabling communities to participate while supporting critical social causes.

Additionally, Sharron is a patron of Disabled Sport England and the Sports Aid Foundation, reflecting her commitment to broadening sports access for disadvantaged populations. She has been vocal about preventing transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, creating controversy among some but securing support among those favoring gender-separated athletics. In 2025, she co-founded The Women’s Sports Union with sailor Tracy Edwards MBE—a not-for-profit organization designed to “future-proof” women’s sports at recreational and junior levels.

Business Ventures and Income Streams: Building Net Worth

Beyond traditional broadcasting employment, Sharron has developed multiple business ventures contributing substantially to her net worth. In 2022, she launched Sharron Davies Training, an online fitness platform, initially priced at £9.99 per month and later adjusted to £95 annually.

The platform offers workout content for “all ages and abilities” with no equipment required. Notably, the platform includes a “buy one, gift one” initiative, donating free subscriptions to charities including Shelter, Women’s Aid, and Refuge.

As a professional speaker, Sharron commands fees through Champions Speakers and the Motivational Speakers Agency, available for corporate events, after-dinner speaking, and award ceremonies. She has invested in Paragon Structures, a company focused on replacing swimming pools lost across the UK—a venture combining her business acumen with lifelong passion for aquatics.

Leadership & Advocacy: Policy Influencer in Women’s Sports

Beyond entertainment and fitness platforms, Sharron’s most recent business venture positions her as a policy influencer rather than a media personality. She co-founded The Women’s Sports Union in late 2025 with sailor Tracy Edwards MBE, establishing a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting women’s sports participation rights. The WSU operates at recreational and competitive levels, advocating for gender-separated athletics and challenging what Sharron perceives as threats to women’s sporting fairness.

This work culminated in her book Unfair Play: The Battle for Women’s Sport, co-authored with journalist Craig Lord. The book was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2024 and named a Times and Daily Telegraph Book of the Year. The publication establishes Sharron not merely as a commentator on sports issues but as an author-advocate influencing policy conversations at national and international levels.

Estimated Net Worth and Financial Assessment

As of February 2026, Sharron Davies’s net worth is a subject of significant public interest. While some estimates place it at £3.5 million based on her 45-year media career, Sharron herself has been transparent about recent financial hardships. In late 2025, she revealed that the loss of broadcasting contracts had left her ‘nearly broke,’ and she was primarily supported by an inheritance from her mother. Her elevation to the House of Lords provides a stable £361 daily allowance, but not a traditional salary.

Primary Income Sources:

1. BBC Television Work: As a long-standing member of BBC Sport’s Olympic commentary team, Sharron received consistent employment covering major sporting events. BBC salaries for senior presenters typically range between £200,000-£450,000+ annually for established broadcasters with extensive tenure.

2. Television Appearances: Her participation in various ITV and Channel entertainment programs generated substantial income throughout the 1990s-2010s.

3. Speaking Engagements: Professional speaking agencies list her availability for corporate events, with fees typically ranging £3,000-£10,000+ per corporate engagement.

4. Fitness Platform Revenue: The online training platform generates recurring subscription revenue, supplemented by donation options for charitable causes.

5. Business Investments: Equity positions in companies like Paragon Structures provide potential capital appreciation.

6. Media Consultancy: Commentary work for swimming competitions and expert consultation on sports matters.

Sharron Davies’ Financial Challenges and Recent Developments

In 2022, Sharron publicly stated her “money’s nearly gone” following her controversial comments on transgender athletes. This revelation indicated that her advocacy, while increasing her public profile among certain demographics, had resulted in lost professional opportunities and sponsorships—a trade-off between financial security and principled stance.

However, her appointment to the House of Lords in January 2026 provides a stable supplement to her private income. Life Peers receive a daily attendance allowance of approximately £361 (2025/26 session), plus travel expenses reimbursement, rather than a salary. This modest but consistent income provides financial stability and recognition of her public service contributions.

Recognition, Honors, and Historic Elevation to the Peerage

In 1993, Sharron received an MBE “for services to swimming”. This honor recognized her extraordinary athletic achievements and contributions to promoting swimming in Britain. More recently, on 15 January 2026, Sharron was created Baroness Davies of Devonport, a life peerage appointment made by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

Her title, Baroness Davies of Devonport, honours her birthplace of Plymouth. She took her seat in the House of Lords on 20 January 2026, wearing traditional scarlet robes and swearing allegiance to the King. Most significantly, she was introduced to the House of Lords by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the legendary Paralympic wheelchair racer and 16-time Paralympic medallist who is now a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

This introduction by another iconic female athlete and independent crossbench peer represents powerful institutional recognition—a signal of authoritative standing within both sporting and political communities. The peerage was awarded in recognition of both her sporting accomplishments and extensive advocacy for women’s rights, particularly regarding fairness in women’s sports.

Legacy and Professional Impact

Sharron Davies’ career exemplifies the trajectory of elite athletes who successfully transition to media, business, and policy leadership. From her breakthrough as a thirteen-year-old Olympic competitor to her iconic role as the BBC’s poolside voice of Olympic swimming, Sharron has maintained relevance across changing media landscapes. Her willingness to take principled stands on controversial issues—despite financial consequences—demonstrates a commitment to conviction that distinguishes her from purely commercial personalities.

Her estimated net worth of approximately £3.5 million (around $4.4 million) reflects not merely wealth accumulation but the financial recognition of a half-century of professional achievement, media presence, business acumen, and strategic career decisions. More significantly, her appointment to the House of Lords in January 2026 at age 63, introduced by one of sport’s most respected figures, represents institutional recognition of her influence as a public figure, policy advocate, and athlete-educator—a validation of impact that transcends financial metrics.

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