If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen her. Red lipstick, a massive smile, and the kind of shoulders that look like they could move mountains. She’s Ilona Maher. She is the breakout star of the Paris 2024 Olympics, a bronze medalist, and a viral sensation who has basically single-handedly made women’s rugby the "cool" sport of the moment.
But as her fame has skyrocketed to over nine million followers, so has a weirdly persistent question from the corners of the internet: Is Ilona Maher male or female?
Honestly, it’s a bit exhausting that we’re still here, isn't it? But people are curious. Some are genuinely confused by her powerful build, while others are just being mean-spirited. Let’s set the record straight once and for all with the facts, because there is zero mystery here.
The Facts: Is Ilona Maher Male or Female?
To be blunt: Ilona Maher is a female. She was born female, identifies as a woman, and has competed in women’s sports her entire life.
Born on August 12, 1996, in Burlington, Vermont, Ilona Delsing Rosa Maher grew up in a house full of women. She has two sisters, Olivia and Adrianna. Her mom, Mieneke, is a nurse from the Netherlands, and her dad, Michael, is a former rugby player.
She’s a woman. Period.
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The reason people keep searching "ilona maher male or female" usually comes down to her physique. At 5'10" and roughly 200 pounds of pure athletic muscle, she doesn't fit the "waif-like" mold that society often tries to shove women into. She’s got broad shoulders and a strong jawline—features that some people incorrectly label as "masculine" simply because they associate strength with men.
Why the confusion exists
We’ve been conditioned to think female athletes should look a certain way. Think gymnasts or figure skaters. When a woman like Maher shows up—someone who literally runs through people for a living—it breaks some people's brains.
She has been incredibly open about the "manly" comments. In a heartbreaking but powerful video from 2024, she admitted that being called a man "hurt deeply" when she was younger. She used to cry to her doctor about it. But now? She uses it as fuel.
The Viral Response to Body Shaming
Maher doesn't just ignore the trolls; she invites them to the front row and then shuts them down. Recently, in early 2026, she had to clap back again after a guy commented on a photo of her in a fitted orange dress, suggesting she looked "pregnant."
Her response? A video that racked up millions of views where she basically said: "My body is normal, healthy, and athletic."
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She’s famously told critics in the past, "I am considered overweight, but alas, I’m going to the Olympics and you’re not." That kind of energy is exactly why she has become a "body neutrality" icon. She isn't just "body positive"—she's realistic. She knows her body is a tool for her sport.
Breaking the "Beast" vs. "Beauty" Stereotype
One of the coolest things about Maher is how she refuses to choose between being a "beast" on the pitch and being "feminine" off it.
- The Signature Lipstick: She almost always wears bright red or pink lipstick during matches.
- Dancing with the Stars: In late 2024, she competed on Dancing with the Stars (Season 33). She made history as the first female partner to lift her male partner, Alan Bersten, during a routine. She finished as the runner-up.
- Sports Illustrated: She graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in September 2024, proving that muscle is just as "swimsuit ready" as anything else.
Her Career: From Nursing to Olympic Bronze
Maher didn't even start playing rugby until she was 17. She was a standout in field hockey, basketball, and softball first. It was her dad who encouraged her to try rugby during her senior year of high school.
She played for one year at Norwich University before transferring to Quinnipiac University. That’s where things got serious. She won three national championships and was named the best collegiate women’s rugby player in the U.S. (the MA Sorensen Award) in 2017.
What most people don't realize? She’s also a registered nurse. She balanced those 12-hour clinical shifts with elite training. That’s the kind of discipline we’re talking about here.
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Recent Milestones
- Paris 2024 Bronze: She led the U.S. Women’s Sevens team to their first-ever Olympic medal.
- Professional Transition: In early 2025, she signed with the Bristol Bears in England, moving from the 7-player version of the game to the 15-player version.
- Breakthrough Athlete: At the 2025 ESPYs, she took home the "Best Breakthrough Athlete" award.
The "Girl Dinner" Connection
Here is a fun bit of trivia: Ilona isn't the only famous Maher. Her older sister, Olivia, is actually the person who created the "girl dinner" trend on TikTok.
Creativity and breaking the internet clearly run in the family. While Olivia was busy defining how women eat, Ilona was busy redefining what a "woman's body" is allowed to look like in the public eye.
Final Thoughts on the Gender Debate
The obsession with whether Ilona Maher is male or female says a lot more about our society's narrow view of femininity than it does about her.
She is a woman who happens to be world-class at a brutal, physical sport. She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration, a nursing degree, an Olympic medal, and a skincare line called Medalist. She’s a multi-faceted human being who just happens to have "beast mode" shoulders.
What you can do next
If you're inspired by Ilona's journey, the best way to support her isn't just by following her on TikTok.
- Watch the games: Women's rugby needs viewers to grow. Tune into the Premiership Women's Rugby matches.
- Support the brands: Check out her skincare line, Medalist, which is designed specifically for athletes.
- Check your bias: Next time you see a female athlete who doesn't look like a runway model, remember that her body is built for performance, not your approval.
The "debate" is over. Ilona Maher is a powerhouse woman who is changing the world, one stiff-arm at a time.