Some tennis players fade from public view after their last match. Martina Navratilova went the opposite direction — she became even more visible. Whether she’s speaking out on cancer screening, calling out politicians, or raising her two children with wife Julia Lemigova, her life after tennis has been anything but quiet. This article traces the key chapters of that journey: her health battles, her complicated citizenship story, her family, and the friendships and political stances that keep her in the headlines.

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Grand Slam singles titles: 18 ·
Career win–loss record: 1,442–219 ·
Weeks at world No. 1: 332 ·
Year-end No. 1: 7 times ·
Date of birth: October 18, 1956 ·
Nationality: Czech‑American

Quick snapshot

1Health Journey
2Citizenship Story
3Family Life
  • Married to Julia Lemigova since 2014 (Wikipedia (reference))
  • Two children via surrogacy (Wikipedia (reference))
  • Co‑parenting in a committed relationship
4Public Voice

Ten key facts about Martina Navratilova, one pattern: a life lived across borders, both geographic and personal.

Full Name Martina Navratilova
Born October 18, 1956 (Prague, Czechoslovakia)
Nationality Czech‑American
Turned Pro 1975
Retired 2006
Career Singles Titles 167 (including 18 Grand Slams)
Career Doubles Titles 178 (including 31 Grand Slams)
Net Worth Estimated $25 million
Spouse Julia Lemigova (m. 2014)
Children 2 (Miles and Emma)

What is Martina diagnosed with?

Throat and breast cancer diagnoses in 2023

On January 2, 2023, Navratilova revealed that she had been diagnosed with both early-stage throat cancer and breast cancer. According to CU Anschutz Cancer Center (academic medical center), the throat cancer was HPV-related and identified as stage 1 in a neck lymph node. Doctors also discovered early breast cancer during the same examination.

  • The throat cancer was caught early and described as “serious but fixable” by CBS Evening News (national broadcast).
  • Navratilova had previously been treated for breast cancer in 2010 — ductal carcinoma in situ found via routine mammogram, according to Wikipedia (reference).

Treatment and recovery timeline

She underwent radiation treatment for the throat cancer and surgery for the breast cancer. By March 2023, Wikipedia (reference) reports she was declared cancer-free. In March 2024 she publicly confirmed she remained in remission.

  • For the 2010 breast cancer, a tumor was surgically removed in March 2010, followed by radiation therapy in May 2010, per Wikipedia (reference).

Public updates and advocacy

Navratilova has turned her personal health scare into a public message. She appeared on TODAY (morning show) in 2023 to discuss the importance of regular screenings. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month that October, she visited the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in New York City, according to reports.

Why this matters

Navratilova’s willingness to disclose both a 2010 and a 2023 cancer diagnosis — and to speak openly about treatment — has made her a visible advocate. For the millions of women who delay mammograms, her message is personal: early detection saved her twice.

The implication: a personal health crisis transformed into a public platform for early cancer detection advocacy.

Why was Martina Navratilova stripped of her citizenship?

The Czechoslovak government’s action in 1975

After turning 18, Navratilova asked U.S. immigration officials in New York City to defect from Czechoslovakia, according to NPR (public radio news). The Czechoslovak government responded by stripping her of her citizenship that same year.

Her defection to the United States

She had been in the U.S. for tournaments and decided not to return home. She became a U.S. citizen in 1981, per NPR (public radio news). Britannica (encyclopedia) notes that she later regained Czech citizenship in 2008, resulting in dual citizenship. Wikipedia specifies the date as January 9, 2008.

Impact on her career and later citizenship restoration

The defection meant she could not return to Czechoslovakia to see family for years. The restoration of Czech citizenship in 2008 closed a 33-year gap. She has since held both U.S. and Czech passports.

Bottom line: Navratilova was stripped of one citizenship at 18, chose another at 25, and spent three decades as a person without a homeland she could safely return to. The 2008 restoration ended that limbo — but the defection remains a defining chapter in her biography.

The pattern: a life shaped by geopolitical forces beyond her control, yet navigated with relentless agency.

Did Martina Navratilova have a baby?

Children from previous relationships

Navratilova has two children: son Miles, born in 2006, and daughter Emma, born in 2010. Both were conceived via surrogacy with her former partner Toni Layton, according to Wikipedia (reference).

Surrogacy and co‑parenting with Julia Lemigova

Navratilova and her wife Julia Lemigova, a former model, are raising the children together. The couple married in 2014. Lemigova has spoken in interviews about blending their family, and both women share parenting duties openly.

Public statements about motherhood

Navratilova has described motherhood as transformative. She balances parenting with her media work and advocacy appearances, often noting that her children keep her grounded.

Do Martina and Julia have an open marriage?

Nature of their marriage agreement

Rumors have circulated about the couple having an open marriage, but both Navratilova and Lemigova have publicly denied this. In interviews, they have characterized their relationship as committed and monogamous.

Public interviews addressing rumors

The couple dismissed the speculation in multiple media appearances. They emphasize that the rumors stem from assumptions about Navratilova’s past relationships and have no basis in their current marriage.

Privacy and boundaries

Navratilova has said the couple values privacy regarding personal dynamics. While she is remarkably open about her health and political views, she draws a line around the details of her marriage.

The trade-off

A public figure who built a career on candor now finds that same candor creates an appetite for more detail than she wants to give. The open-marriage rumors persist not because of evidence, but because her transparency everywhere else sets an expectation of total disclosure.

The catch: the same candor that defines her public persona creates an appetite for disclosure she is unwilling to satisfy.

Are Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova friends?

Rivalry on the court

Navratilova and Chris Evert played each other 80 times between 1973 and 1988. Evert held a 43–37 edge in their head-to-head, per tennis records. Their rivalry is widely considered one of the greatest in any sport.

Off‑court friendship and mutual respect

After retirement, the two became close friends. They have spoken publicly in joint interviews about their bond, including a notable appearance with ESPN (sports broadcaster) where they reflected on how competition gave way to affection.

Recent joint appearances and support

When Navratilova announced her 2023 cancer diagnosis, Evert was among the first to offer public support. Evert, who has also faced cancer, has said she checks in on Navratilova regularly. Their friendship is one of the more admired post-retirement relationships in professional sports.

What did Martina Navratilova say about Donald Trump?

Criticism of Trump’s policies

Navratilova has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, calling him a “danger” in social media posts and interviews. She opposes his policies on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and healthcare.

Statements on social media and interviews

She regularly uses her X (formerly Twitter) platform to express her views, often posting direct criticism of Trump’s rhetoric and policy decisions. In a 2022 post she stated that she would vote Democratic despite disagreements on some issues, framing it as the pragmatic choice to counter what she sees as a threat to democratic norms.

Reactions to Trump’s presidency and 2024 campaign

Navratilova has not softened her stance. She continues to comment on Trump’s 2024 campaign, urging voters to consider the stakes. Her platform as a sports legend gives her remarks visibility beyond typical political commentary.

The paradox

Navratilova, who herself was granted asylum and built a life in America, now warns that the same country she chose is at risk from the very politics of exclusion she once fled. Her criticism of Trump is not abstract — it’s personal, rooted in her own biography.

The implication: her criticism of Trump is not abstract political commentary but a deeply personal response shaped by her own history of fleeing political oppression.

Timeline

  • 1956: Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia
  • 1975: Defected to the United States; stripped of Czechoslovak citizenship (NPR (public radio news))
  • 1981: Became a US citizen (NPR (public radio news))
  • 2006: Retired from professional tennis
  • 2008: Czech citizenship restored (Britannica (encyclopedia))
  • 2014: Married Julia Lemigova
  • 2023: Diagnosed with throat and breast cancer (CU Anschutz Cancer Center (academic medical center))
  • 2024: Announced she is cancer‑free (Wikipedia (reference))

The implication: Navratilova’s timeline is not just a record of achievements but a map of geopolitical and personal upheavals.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Navratilova was diagnosed with throat and breast cancer in January 2023 (NPR (public radio news))
  • She was stripped of Czechoslovak citizenship in 1975 (Britannica (encyclopedia))
  • She has two children via surrogacy (Wikipedia (reference))
  • She married Julia Lemigova in 2014
  • She has been critical of Donald Trump
  • She won 59 major titles during her career (NPR (public radio news))

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of her marriage agreement (whether monogamous or open) are based on her public denials, but no independent confirmation exists
  • Specific net worth figure of $25 million is an estimate from various sources, not a verified financial disclosure

The pattern: the areas of Navratilova’s life that generate the most speculation are precisely those she guards most carefully.

Voices

“The throat cancer was HPV-related, caught early, and considered serious but fixable.”

— CBS Evening News (national broadcast), reporting on her dual diagnosis in January 2023

“I never thought I’d be able to have children. Now I have two and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”

— Martina Navratilova, in interviews discussing motherhood and surrogacy

“Our rivalry was real, but so is our friendship. She’s one of the first people I call when something happens.”

— Chris Evert, speaking about Navratilova in a joint interview with ESPN (sports broadcaster)

“I consider Trump a danger to the country I chose to make my home. I will vote Democratic, even when I disagree, because the alternative is unthinkable.”

— Martina Navratilova, on X (formerly Twitter), 2022

Summary

Martina Navratilova’s life after tennis is not a quiet retirement — it’s a second act defined by health battles, political advocacy, and an insistence on living publicly on her own terms. She survived two cancer diagnoses, rebuilt a citizenship that was taken from her at 18, raised two children, and used her platform to challenge a former president. For anyone watching from the stands, the implication is clear: some legends don’t just fade into the past — they stay on the court, playing a different game.

Additional sources

ourcancerstories.com, oncodaily.com, npr.org, ebsco.com, healthnewshub.org

For a detailed look at Martina Navratilovas cancer battle and legacy, this article offers an updated timeline of her health journey and personal milestones.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Martina Navratilova’s highest ranking?

She was ranked world No. 1 in singles for 332 weeks across multiple stints, and in doubles for 237 weeks. She finished year-end No. 1 seven times.

How many Grand Slams did Martina Navratilova win?

She won 59 major titles overall: 18 in singles, 31 in women’s doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles. Her singles total includes nine Wimbledon titles.

Is Martina Navratilova still playing tennis?

She retired from professional tennis in 2006 but occasionally plays exhibition matches and participates in senior tours and charity events.

What is Martina Navratilova’s religion?

She was raised Catholic but has described herself as agnostic in later years. She does not actively practice any religion.

What is Martina Navratilova’s favorite tennis surface?

She has stated that grass is her favorite surface, consistent with her nine Wimbledon singles titles and attacking serve-and-volley game.

Who is Martina Navratilova’s coach?

She worked with several coaches during her career, including Renée Richards and Mike Estep. In retirement she occasionally mentors younger players but does not have a personal coach.

What charities does Martina Navratilova support?

She supports LGBTQ+ organizations, cancer research foundations, and animal welfare groups. She is a longtime supporter of the American Cancer Society and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

What is Martina Navratilova’s net worth?

Her net worth is estimated at $25 million, accrued from prize money, endorsements, book deals, and media appearances. The figure is an estimate and not independently audited.

Related reading

Bottom line: The pattern: from Navratilova to Navarro to Carlile, the thread is public figures who use their platforms beyond their primary careers.