Ellie Simmonds: Partner, Net Worth, Height & Life Now

There aren’t many Paralympians who trade the pool for the ballroom, but Ellie Simmonds has done exactly that. Since retiring from competitive swimming in 2021, the five-time gold medalist has stepped into documentary making, television presenting, and even appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.

Paralympic Gold Medals: 5 ·
OBE: Awarded in 2013 ·
Age: 29 (born 1994) ·
Height: 4 ft 1 in (124 cm) ·
Disability: Achondroplasia ·
Partner: Matt Dean (since 2022)

Nine key facts about Ellie Simmonds, one pattern: a career built on record-breaking performances and a fiercely private personal life.

Does Ellie Simmonds have a partner?

Yes, Ellie Simmonds is reportedly in a relationship with Matt Dean, a man she has known since childhood. Entertainment Daily reported in 2023 that the couple had split (Entertainment Daily (celebrity news site)), but later coverage from Bustle described them as living together in Cheshire (Bustle (lifestyle publication)). Dean, who also has dwarfism, encouraged Simmonds to take part in Strictly Come Dancing. As of 2025, Simmonds has not confirmed a marriage.

Who is her partner?

• Matt Dean, a childhood acquaintance who shares her condition, achondroplasia.
• He has stayed largely out of the public eye.

Ellie Simmonds husband?

She has not married as of 2025.

The pattern: public curiosity about her private life continues to outpace what she chooses to disclose.

Does Ellie Simmonds have a baby?

No, Ellie Simmonds does not have any children as of 2025. She fronted the ITV documentary Should I Have Children? which explored the genetic implications of having a baby when both parents have achondroplasia (Entertainment Daily). In the programme she spoke with geneticists about the chances of passing on the condition. She has not announced any pregnancy.

Who is the father?

No children exist, so this question does not apply.

Any children?

None.

The implication: by making the documentary, Simmonds turned a private medical question into a public resource for others facing the same decision.

What is Ellie Simmonds doing now?

Since retiring from swimming in 2021 (Encyclopaedia Britannica), Simmonds has built a second career in media and advocacy.

Documentary making

• In 2023 she released Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Family, a BBC documentary about her search for her biological roots (Bustle).
• She also presented Should I Have Children? for ITV.

Public speaking and advocacy

Simmonds remains a prominent voice on disability issues, often speaking about achondroplasia and inclusion in sport.

Strictly Come Dancing

In 2022 she competed on the BBC series with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, reaching the later weeks of the competition (BBC).

The implication: Simmonds has successfully transitioned from elite athlete to public figure without losing her core identity.

How rich is Ellie Simmonds?

Exact figures are not publicly disclosed, but her net worth is estimated between $1 million and $3 million. Income sources include prize money from swimming, endorsements (notably partnerships with brands like Speedo and BT Sport), and media appearance fees.

Ellie Simmonds net worth estimate

Based on her career span and public visibility, analysts place her net worth in the low seven figures (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Sources of income

• Paralympic prize money and Lottery funding
• Brand endorsements and sponsorship deals
• Television fees for Strictly Come Dancing and documentaries
• Paid speaking engagements

The catch: without verified financial statements, these numbers remain speculative.

What is Ellie Simmonds’ disability?

She has achondroplasia, the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. This genetic condition affects bone growth, resulting in a height of 124 cm (4 ft 1 in).

Achondroplasia

• Caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene
• Simmonds has spoken openly about the challenges and misconceptions surrounding dwarfism

Height

124 cm (4 ft 1 in) — as recorded by Britannica.

Age

Born 11 November 1994, she is 29 years old as of 2025.

The takeaway: her physical attributes, openly discussed, have never limited her competitive achievements or post-sport ambitions.

“I wanted to understand where I come from — and to share that journey with others who may be wondering the same thing.”

Ellie Simmonds, speaking in Finding My Family (via Bustle (interview coverage))

“She’s a true inspiration, both in and out of the water — a role model for the next generation.”

BBC Strictly Come Dancing commentator, quoted in BBC (Strictly page)

Ellie Simmonds has navigated life after Paralympic glory with a mix of openness and privacy. For fans and followers, the key takeaway is that she remains active in the public eye — whether on screen, in advocacy, or in her personal decisions about family. The media lesson: some details, like the state of her relationship, are hers to share.

Frequently asked questions