Ronnie O’Sullivan hopes to mend estranged relationship with daughter
Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed he is desperate to repair his relationship with his estranged eldest daughter after she publicly accused him of failing her as a parent, admitting he hopes their rift will not be permanent, reports BritPanorama.
The snooker icon, who turns 50 next month, has three children. His youngest two, daughter Lily, born in 2006, and son Ronnie Jr, born a year later, are from his relationship with Jo Langley. His eldest, Taylor-Ann, born in 1996 from a two-year relationship with Sally Magnus, has long been estranged from him and previously stated she had cut ties for good.
Relations completely collapsed years ago, and in an interview with The Sun, Taylor-Ann alleged that O’Sullivan had never met her daughter – his granddaughter – despite telling her he was excited to do so. She expressed disdain, saying: “He might be world champion to some but he’s not fit to be called ‘Dad’ let alone ‘Grandad’ as far as I’m concerned.”
In another reflection, she noted, “Zarah-Ann will grow up never knowing who he is. He’s made so many promises, but what he says and what he does are so different.” O’Sullivan has rarely discussed the fallout publicly, but in a recent interview with The Times, he expressed a desire to make peace with her, although he is uncertain of the path forward.
Asked if he feared the estrangement would last forever, he replied: “I hope not. I think I’ve got to make some sort of amends. I don’t know how it’s going to work out. Hopefully, at some point, it might sort itself out. Who knows? I don’t know.” The seven-time world champion stated that the situation weighs heavily on him, yet he remains hopeful that time might facilitate reconciliation in the future.
In contrast, O’Sullivan noted that his relationships with his younger two children have never been stronger. Both remain in regular contact with him, and Lily is planning to spend Christmas in Dubai, where the snooker star recently relocated after marrying actress Laila Rouass earlier this year. “I see more of my daughter than I ever used to,” he commented, adding that she is “quite laid-back, very chilled.”
He indicated that both children support his decision to leave the UK for a quieter life abroad, stating, “They just want me to be happy.” O’Sullivan has embraced a simpler routine in the Middle East, explaining that his move was not about extravagance but about finding peace. “We’re not there for a bouji sort of lifestyle,” he said. “I just like the simplicity of it there. The weather is great.”
With O’Sullivan acknowledging the complexities of family dynamics, it is evident that personal relationships, much like the game itself, are often subject to unexpected twists and turns — a reminder of the fragility of connections amid the spotlight of fame.
