Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher has captured hearts worldwide, not just with her powerful rugby performances and infectious personality, but also with her refreshingly honest approach to dating and relationships. The 28-year-old Vermont native, who recently finished as runner-up on Dancing With The Stars season 33, has become a social media sensation with over four million Instagram followers, making her the most followed rugby player globally. But despite her rising fame and numerous admirers, the question on everyone’s mind remains: Is Ilona Maher married?
The short answer is no – Ilona Maher is currently single and has never been married. However, her journey through the spotlight has been filled with dating rumors, particularly with her Dancing With The Stars partner Alan Bersten, and candid discussions about her search for love. From her viral TikTok videos during the Olympics to her recent appearances on national television, Maher has been refreshingly open about the challenges of dating as a successful athlete in the public eye.
Born on August 12, 1996, in Burlington, Vermont, Maher has built an impressive career that includes two Olympic appearances, a bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics, and three National Intercollegiate Rugby Association championships during her time at Quinnipiac University. Her authenticity and body positivity advocacy have made her a role model for young women everywhere, while her humor and relatability have endeared her to fans across all demographics.
Current Relationship Status: Single and Searching
As of 2025, Ilona Maher remains unmarried and single, though she’s been quite vocal about her dating experiences and desires. The rugby star has maintained transparency about her relationship status throughout her rise to fame, often sharing humorous takes on modern dating through her social media platforms.
Maher has expressed openness to using dating apps and frequently jokes about potential suitors sliding into her DMs. She’s looking for someone who can match her wit and feel secure enough to handle her success – a tall order given her rapidly expanding career and public profile. The athlete has admitted that her busy schedule makes dating challenging, often leaving her too exhausted after training and appearances to pursue romantic connections.
During a recent interview, Maher humorously described a moment when she considered going out to meet people after Dancing With The Stars rehearsal, only to lose interest minutes later due to fatigue. This honest portrayal of the difficulties faced by high-achieving athletes in maintaining personal relationships has resonated with many fans who appreciate her authenticity.
The Alan Bersten Dating Rumors: Just Best Friends
One of the most persistent rumors surrounding Maher’s love life involves her Dancing With The Stars partner, Alan Bersten. Their undeniable chemistry on the dance floor and close friendship sparked widespread speculation among fans who began “shipping” the pair throughout season 33.
When directly asked about the dating rumors during an interview with E! News, Maher addressed the speculation with characteristic humor and honesty. “Yeah, we see, we see it all over. And honestly, keep doing it, people. We love it. I think honestly, if ship means relationship, we are, we are the besties. We love it,” she explained. The rugby star emphasized that while she genuinely loves Alan as a teammate and friend, their relationship remains purely platonic.
Bersten, a professional Latin and ballroom dancer who won season 28 with Hannah Brown, has been equally playful about the rumors while maintaining that their partnership is professional. Both dancers have enjoyed the fan attention and speculation, with Maher noting that she loves all her teammates and appreciates the special bond they’ve built through their Dancing With The Stars journey.
Past Relationships and Dating History
Maher has been notably private about her past romantic relationships, with no confirmed previous boyfriends or significant others in the public record. This privacy extends to her social media presence, where she focuses primarily on her athletic career, body positivity advocacy, and humorous content rather than romantic partnerships.
The athlete has occasionally made playful references to having a “husband” on TikTok, but these appear to be jokes rather than genuine relationship reveals. In one viral video, when asked about her husband by a commenter, Maher seemed to be teasing her audience rather than making any serious romantic announcement.
Her approach to keeping her personal life private while being open about her dating struggles has struck a balance that many public figures struggle to achieve. This strategy has allowed her to maintain authenticity while protecting any potential romantic interests from unwanted public scrutiny.
Olympic Village Dating Adventures
Maher gained significant attention during both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics for her humorous social media content, including her attempts at finding romance in the Olympic Village. Her TikTok videos showcasing her dating efforts during the Tokyo Olympics went viral, endearing her to millions of followers who appreciated her relatable approach to love and relationships.
These videos, which often featured her discussing the challenges of meeting people while competing at the highest level of international sport, helped establish her as a social media personality beyond her athletic achievements. The content demonstrated her ability to find humor in everyday situations, even while representing her country on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Her Olympic dating content also highlighted the unique challenges faced by elite athletes in forming romantic connections, particularly during intense competition periods when focus must remain on performance rather than personal relationships.
Future Relationship Goals and Aspirations
Looking ahead, Maher has expressed optimism about her romantic future while acknowledging the current challenges. She’s mentioned interest in potentially becoming the next Bachelorette, though this appears to be more of a humorous suggestion than a serious career consideration.
The athlete has been clear about what she’s looking for in a partner: someone who can appreciate her success, match her intelligence and humor, and feel secure in a relationship with a high-profile athlete. She’s also emphasized the importance of finding someone who understands the demands of her career and can support her ambitious goals.
Maher’s recent signing with Bristol Bears in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby league represents another significant step in her career, potentially opening new opportunities for both professional growth and personal connections. Her three-month contract, which began in January 2025, demonstrates her continued commitment to rugby excellence while expanding her international presence.
Body Positivity and Self-Love Journey
Central to understanding Maher’s approach to relationships is her advocacy for body positivity and self-acceptance. The 5’10”, 198-pound athlete has been vocal about challenging traditional beauty standards and encouraging young women to embrace their strength and athleticism.
Her Dancing With The Stars journey particularly emphasized this message, as she spoke about feeling both “big and muscular” while also “beautiful and feminine”. This perspective has influenced her approach to dating, as she seeks partners who can appreciate and celebrate her athletic build and achievements rather than expecting her to conform to conventional expectations.
Maher’s confidence and self-acceptance have become integral parts of her public persona, inspiring countless followers to embrace their own unique qualities while pursuing their goals and relationships.
