Goalie Mary Earps' glam life off the pitch - luxe holidays and close family

07 August 2023 , 07:44

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Goalie Mary Earps' glam life off the pitch - luxe holidays and close family

Earlier this year, Mary Earps was awarded the Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper in the World - it's an impressive title and a huge cry from the setback the Lioness had two years ago. Mary thought her dream career was over when she was dropped by England, but the team's new football manager, Sarina Wiegman, helped her get back on the pitch.

Now, she has proven her doubters wrong and shown her rightful place in the squad as a European champion and award-winning goalie, competing in the 2023 Women's World Cup. "We don’t fear anyone" was her message ahead of their game against Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium. But when Mary isn't saving goals alongside fellow Lionesses, the pro player is living her best life travelling the world and spending time with her loved ones at home.

Mary first realised she wanted to be a goalkeeper when she was playing footie with her dad and brother (Instagram/1maryearps)

She joined a local football team and her supportive parents whisked her to training and matches every week (Instagram/1maryearps)

The 30-year-old is close with her family and has said they all keep her grounded with her new-found success. Speaking to GQ Magazine, she revealed that it was during a kickabout in the garden with her dad and brother that she decided she wanted to be a professional footballer. So she joined a local team and her supportive parents took her to matches and training. "I was playing a local Saturday match and saved a penalty," she said. That was the moment she knew she wanted to be a keeper.

They were the first people she messaged when she was nominated for FIFA's Best Award too. "I was blown away [to be nominated]. There aren't loads of awards around for goalkeepers," Mary told BBC Sport. "I texted my mum and dad straight away. They humbly replied with just 'well done'. It was a standard Earps family reply, super chilled. It's really nice and the real icing on the cake. It doesn't happen often and it never really happens to me so I forget [these awards] exist in a way. To be named on the shortlist, it came out of the blue, and it was really cool."

She text her family as soon as she was nominated for FIFA's Best Award - and they had a humble response (Instagram/1maryearps)

The 30-year-old has a bus named after her in her hometown of West Bridgford (Instagram/1maryearps)

As well as achieving numerous awards, Mary has been supported by her local community and even has a bus named after her in her hometown, West Bridgford, near Nottingham. She is often stopped for photographs and spotted in the street by fans - though it's taken some getting used to. She told Vogue: "A lot has changed since our Euros win, including the profile of the game. I'm trying to adjust to and enjoy the attention that comes with success. Not that I would have it any other way."

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Outside of goalkeeping, Mary has a degree in information management and business studies too, but she's most passionate about shaping the future of football for females. She told GQ: "'I'm very ambitious about wanting to push myself to reach my absolute maximum potential and change the landscape of female goalkeeping. You know, just small goals."

England star Mary is passionate about changing the future for females in sport (Instagram/1maryearps)

She enjoys glamorous holidays abroad when she's not saving balls on the pitch (Instagram/1maryearps)

It is unknown whether Mary is in a relationship and she chooses to keep much of her personal and love life private. Though she is the TikTok queen of the Lionesses with a following of nearly 700,000, and regularly joins in the latest trends or shows behind-the-scenes footage of matches to let fans in on the reality of being part of the England women's team.

One scan of Mary's Instagram account (@1maryearps) and you'll spot her holidaying it up in Madrid, Dubai, Australia and Berlin. Mary loves to snap a happy and relaxed shot when she's taking a break from football and soaking up the sun abroad. And she's no stranger to a pun, captioning a photo of her in Greece: "I can finally say that I've been to Greece, better late than feta." Another picture of her rowing a boat in Spain reads: "When you're trying to do a cute pout but forget you don't have a top lip."

Nia Dalton