Who is Merlene Ottey’s husband, what is her net worth and what does she do now?

Who is Merlene Ottey’s husband, what is her net worth and what does she do now?

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at December 13, 2023 at 3:19 AM

Merlene Ottey’s husband, Nathaniel Page, was an integral part of her life during her early athletics career. Merlene Ottey, a Jamaican-Slovenian sprinting legend, has etched her name in the annals of track and field history with her remarkable achievements.

Merlene Ottey’s husband
A portrait of Merlene Ottey during the heats of the 100m at the athletics world championships in the national stadium in Tokyo, Japan, in August 1991. Photo: Mike Powell (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Throughout her career, she garnered fame for her extraordinary speed and resilience, competing in numerous international championships and setting several records. Merlene Ottey’s dedication and success in athletics led to her winning numerous awards.

Profile summary

Name

Merlene Ottey

Birth date

May 10, 1960

Age

63 years old (as of 2023)

Zodiac sign

Taurus

Nationality

Jamaican-Slovenian

Education

University of Nebraska (Bachelor of Arts Degree)

Marital status

Divorced

Ex-Husband

Nathaniel Page (1984–1987)

Professional debut

1978

Olympic achievements

Nine-time Olympic medalist

World championships

Won 14 medals

How old is Merlene Ottey?

Merlene Ottey was born on May 10, 1960, in Cold Spring, Hanover, Jamaica. She is currently 63 years old. Her longevity in athletics is as remarkable as her achievements, having begun her career in 1978 and continuing at the top level until the age of 52.

Ottey’s career spanned over three decades, making her one of the most enduring athletes in track and field history. She competed at the highest levels well into her 40s and early 50s, a rare feat in the demanding world of sprinting.

How tall is Merlene Ottey

With a height of 175 cm (5 feet 9 inches), Merlene Ottey’s physical stature contributed significantly to her prowess on the track. Her build, combined with her exceptional talent and hard work, helped her dominate in sprinting events, particularly in the 100- and 200-metre races.

Who is Merlene Ottey’s husband?

Is Merlene Ottey married?
Merlene Ottey of Slovenia during the Women’s 4x100 Metres Relay of the 21st European Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium on June 30, 2012, in Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Stu Forster
Source: Getty Images

Merlene Ottey was married to Nathaniel Page, an American high jumper and 400 m hurdles racer. The couple’s marriage lasted from 1984 to 1987, after which they divorced.

Nathaniel Page, Merlene Ottey’s former husband, was noted for his achievements in the high jump, setting impressive records in his athletic career. Their relationship was a union of two high-achieving athletes, although it was relatively short-lived.

Is Merlene Ottey married?

As of December 2023, Merlene Ottey is not married. Following her divorce from Nathaniel Page in the late 1980s, there has been no public record of Ottey remarrying, as her focus remained largely on her athletic career and later life pursuits.

Does Merlene Ottey have a schild?

There are no sources of Merlene Ottey’s daughter or son. Despite a public life filled with athletic triumphs and challenges, her personal life, particularly regarding children, has remained private, focusing instead on her extensive career in athletics.

Merlene Ottey's career

Merlene Attey's age
Merlene Ottey of Slovenia competes in the Women’s 4 x 100m Relay during the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on August 5, 2011, in London, England. Photo: Stu Forster
Source: Getty Images

Merlene Ottey comes from a large family, and their parents, Hubert and Joan Ottey, raised them in Hanover, Jamaica. Her father worked as a farmer, and her mother as a midwife.

Her family played a crucial role in igniting her interest in athletics, a passion that would shape her entire life. She was introduced to the sport by her mother, who bought her a manual on track and field.

Seeing her talent, her mother enrolled her in competitions in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Her mother was keen on Merlene showcasing her talent on an international level. Merlene began her career representing Jamaica in 1978.

Her life took a significant turn upon her admission to the University of Nebraska in America in 1979, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts. After enrolling and adjusting to her academic routine, she joined the university’s track team, where her skill and exceptional talent quickly became evident.

Professional career awards and achievements

Merlene Ottey’s professional athletic career began in 1980, highlighted by her participation in the Moscow Olympics, where she secured an Olympic medal. Back in Jamaica, she was awarded an Officer of the Order of Nation and the Order of Distinction for “services in the field of sport”.

At the 1982 Commonwealth Games, she won her first professional gold medal in the 200 meters and a silver medal in the 100 meters. Over the next eight years, she prepared for the World Games and the Olympics, winning gold in both the 1990 Commonwealth Games and the 1993 World Championship, leading to her being named Ambassador of Jamaica.

How many Olympic medals does she have?

Merlene Ottey's family
Gwen Torrence of USA in 3rd place, Gail Devers of USA (C) in 1st place, and Merlene Ottey of Jamaica (R), at the podium during the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Mike Powell
Source: Getty Images

In her illustrious career, she secured nine Olympic medals (six bronze and three silver), equaling Allyson Felix’s record for the most by any female track and field athlete. She has also won 14 World Championship medals (three gold, three silver, eight bronze) between 1983 and 1997.

She also won three Indoor gold medals, as well as two silver and two bronze. Merlene Ottey was recognised as Jamaican Sportswoman of the Year 13 times from 1979 to 1995.

In 1998, Ottey moved to Slovenia, representing Jamaica initially in competitions and later representing Slovenia from 2002 to 2012 after gaining citizenship. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, she reached the semi-finals in the 100 meters. She continued to compete, reaching the semi-finals in the 2006 European Championships and participating in the 2008 Olympic Games.

In 2010, Ottey, the oldest participating athlete, competed in the European Athletics Championships’ 4×100 meter relay. She maintained her rigorous training schedule and competed in the 2012 European Athletics Championships, which was her last race. Following this event, Ottey moved to Switzerland.

Merlene Ottey’s fastest time

Merlene Ottey’s fastest times are legendary: 10.74 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.66 seconds in the 200 meters. These times are among the best recorded in women’s track and field and stand as a testament to her extraordinary speed and talent.

Merlene Ottey's net worth

Merlene Ottey’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. This wealth was accumulated through her successful career as a sprinter, endorsements, and involvement in various athletic-related activities post-retirement.

Is Merlene Ottey alive?

Merlene Ottey's achievements
Merlene Ottey (L) and Linford Christie on stage during the 75th-anniversary celebration of sporting goods manufacturer Puma. Photo: Daniel Vogl
Source: Getty Images

She is still alive. As of December 2023, at 63, she continues to be a celebrated figure in the world of athletics, often participating in various sporting events and functions. Here are some facts about Merlene Ottey:

  • Ottey holds the highest amount of Olympic medals won by any woman in track and field, totalling nine.
  • She was the first female English-speaking Caribbean athlete to win an Olympic medal.
  • Ottey moved to Slovenia in 1998 and later represented the country in international competitions.
  • She has been inducted into Nebraska’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
  • Holds the world indoor record for 200 meters, set in 1993
  • Ottey was the first woman to run 60 meters under seven seconds.

Merlene Ottey’s biography, marked by significant achievements and personal milestones, such as her relationship with her husband, continues to inspire athletes and sports enthusiasts worldwide. She will forever be remembered in the sport.

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Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.