What is Kelly Smith’s net worth and biography? All the facts and details

What is Kelly Smith’s net worth and biography? All the facts and details

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at December 9, 2023 at 5:20 PM

Kelly Smith's net worth is a symbol of her remarkable journey and success in women's football. Known for her incredible talent and commitment to the sport, Smith has become a celebrated name in football. Her rise from a young football enthusiast in England to one of England's best female footballers is both inspiring and impressive.

Kelly Smith’s net worth
Kelly Smith before the FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Kingsmeadow on May 21, 2023, in Kingston upon Thames, England. Photo: Alex Burstow (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Throughout her career, Smith has not only shown exceptional skill on the field but also significantly contributed to the growth of women's football. Her story is a mix of triumphs and challenges, showcasing her resilience and passion for the game.

Profile summary

Names

Kelly Smith

Date of birth

October 29, 1978

Nationality

English

Height

5 feet 6 inches

Playing position

Forward

Notable clubs

Arsenal Ladies, Philadelphia Charge, Boston Breakers

International career

England national team (117 caps, 46 goals); Great Britain Olympic team (2012 London Olympics)

Education

West Herts College; Seton Hall University, USA

Coaching career

Arsenal

Spouse

DeAnna Dobosz

Children

Two children (a son and a daughter)

Social media

Instagram

Kelly Smith's net worth

Kelly Smith, a renowned figure in women's football, has an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million. This impressive figure reflects her successful career as a player and coach, where she showcased her exceptional skills and contributed significantly to the sport.

How old is Kelly Smith?

Kelly Smith’s bio
Kelly Smith poses during a FIFA portrait session on December 7, 2018, in Paris, France. Photo: Gareth Cattermole
Source: Getty Images

Kelly was born on October 29, 1978, in England( aged 45 years old as of December 2023). She is widely recognised as one of the greatest female footballers. Her long-standing career in football spans over two decades.

Kelly Smith's bio

Growing up in Watford's Garston area, Kelly played football with boys' teams. At seven years old, she had to leave the Garston Boys Club because some parents were not happy, even though she scored the most goals. She then played for Pinner Girls, set up by her dad, before joining Wembley Ladies and debuting in the senior team during the 1994-95 season.

In 1995, Pete Davies from The Independent praised Smith as an extraordinary talent in women's football. She moved to Arsenal Ladies in 1996-97, scoring twice and assisting once in a 3-0 victory over Liverpool, securing the Premier League title. That year, she was at West Herts College but then switched to Seton Hall University in the USA in 1997.

At Seton Hall, Smith was both a student and an athlete, playing for the Seton Hall Pirates from 1997 to 1999. In her first year, she broke Big East Conference scoring records and was the first to win both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.

For the next two seasons, she was the top scorer in the Big East and across all NCAA Division I, winning Big East Offensive Player of the Year twice. By the end of her time at university, Seton Hall retired her number 6 shirt, a first for someone outside basketball.

In three years, she scored 76 goals and earned 174 points in just 51 games. After university, Smith stayed in the USA, playing for New Jersey Lady Stallions from 1999 to 2000.

Kelly Smith's club football career

Kelly Smith's age
Kelly Smith during the London 2012 Olympic Games between Great Britain and New Zealand at Millennium Stadium on July 25, 2012 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Michael Regan
Source: Getty Images

In the early 2000s, Smith joined the newly formed Women's United Soccer Association. Drafted second by Philadelphia Charge in 2001 and was a 2001 WUSA Global 11 All-Star. She played three seasons in the USA, and after the league folded in 2003, she returned to Arsenal in 2004.

Back at Arsenal, from 2005, Smith scored 73 goals in 66 league games. She won the league with her team and also the famous quadruple with the Gunners the following year.

In 2009, she joined the Boston Breakers in the new Women's Professional Soccer League, where she stayed until 2012. Rejecting offers from Sweden and Germany, she rejoined Arsenal a third time despite an injury from the 2012 Cyprus Cup.

Kelly Smith's international career

Internationally, Smith made her England debut in 1995, just after her 17th birthday. She played in UEFA Women's Championships in 2001, 2005, and 2009 and in FIFA Women's World Cups in 2007 and 2011. She was the standout player at the 2007 China Cup. With 177 caps and 46 goals, Smith remains one of England's best female footballers, a record unlikely to be broken soon.

When did Kelly Smith retire?

Kelly retired from international duty in 2015. However, she continued to play for Arsenal, where she had also taken up a part-time coaching role.

Kelly Smith announced her retirement from football at the start of 2017. This decision marked the end of a remarkable career that saw her achieve numerous accolades and become a symbol of excellence in women's football.

Kelly Smith achievements

Kelly Smith's football career
Arsenal's Kelly Smith holding the WSL Continental Cup Trophy after the final match against Birmingham at Underhill Stadium on October 10, 2012, in Barnet, United Kingdom. Photo: David Price
Source: Getty Images

Her honours include four Premier League titles, a UEFA Women's Cup, and five FA Cups. In 2008, in recognition of her contributions to football, Kelly Smith was also honoured with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

In 2021, Kelly Smith became the third player to be inducted into the Women's Super League Hall of Fame. She followed former international team-mates Fara Williams and Rachel Yankey in being recognised.

Her struggles off it contrasted Kelly's outstanding career on the pitch. Injuries led to a battle with alcohol, but upon returning to England, she found support and recovery at Tony Adams' Sporting Chance Clinic, founded by the former Arsenal captain.

Kelly Smith's family

Kelly Smith's family has been a cornerstone of her life. Raised by Bernard and Carol Smith, she developed a passion for football from a young age.

Kelly Smith's partner

Kelly Smith's personal life has been as fulfilling as her professional career. She is married to her partner Deanna Dobosz, a management counsellor.

The Hall of Famer gave birth to their son Rocco Jude in May 2017, and later on August 1, 2019, she gave birth to their second child, a daughter Lucia, via c-section.

What does Kelly Smith do now?

Kelly Smith's achievements
Kelly Smith during the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal 2nd leg match between Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg at Emirates Stadium on May 01, 2023, in London, England. Photo: Alex Burstow
Source: Getty Images

She is the assistant coach at Arsenal Women (as of December 2023). She spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on the coaching staff as Arsenal finished third in the Women's Super League.

In wrapping up, Kelly Smith's net worth mirrors her extraordinary career and contributions to women's football. Her journey, marked by remarkable skill and unwavering dedication, stands as an inspiration, showing how talent and hard work can lead to great success and lasting impact in the sports world.

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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.