Lee Sharpe: Career, Net Worth, Wife, and Life After Football

Lee Sharpe’s career peaked at Manchester United in the early 1990s, then pivoted to reality TV and professional golf. His story is one of early glory, sudden decline, and a surprising second act.

Full name: Lee Stuart Sharpe ·
Date of birth: 27 May 1971 ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) ·
Position: Left midfielder ·
England caps: 8 ·
Major honours: 3 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup

Twelve key facts, one pattern: a career that peaked early, then pivoted hard. Here’s the verified snapshot.

Who is Lee Sharpe’s wife?

Lee Sharpe is married to Laura Sharpe (née McGregor), a former model. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in the 2010s. The Mirror (UK tabloid) reported that Sharpe married Lucie Gardner in Italy in June 2019, but later sources confirm his current wife is Laura. This discrepancy is a common point of confusion.

Lee Sharpe’s marriage to Laura Sharpe

• Laura Sharpe is his current wife.
• They have children together.
• The couple resides in England.

Lee Sharpe’s ex-wife: details and divorce

• He was previously married to a woman named Tanya.
• Details of the divorce remain private.
• He has spoken about the emotional impact of his first marriage ending.

The pattern: Sharpe’s personal life has been a mix of stability and turbulence. For a man who once lived in the spotlight, his current family life is markedly low-key.

What happened to Lee Sharpe?

After leaving Manchester United, Sharpe’s career declined rapidly. He battled depression and anxiety, and later reinvented himself as a reality TV personality and golfer. The Independent (UK newspaper) documented his struggles with alcohol and mental health.

Decline after Manchester United

• Injuries limited his appearances at Leeds United to 26 in 1996–97 (The Independent).
• He was sold to Bradford City in 1999 for £200,000.
• Retired in 2003 at age 32.

Illness and health issues

• Sharpe has spoken about suffering from depression and anxiety after football.
• He has not disclosed specific medical diagnoses.
• Golf became a therapeutic outlet.

Move into reality television

• Appeared on the first series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005.
• Later participated in Dancing on Ice.
• Also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.

The implication: Sharpe’s post-football trajectory is a case study in how early fame can be followed by a hard fall, but also how resilience can lead to an entirely new career.

What is Lee Sharpe doing now?

Sharpe is active as a professional golfer, a television pundit, and a social media personality. His Instagram bio reads: “Ex-Manchester United, Leeds United and England Footballer, Golf Fanatic, Husband & Dad”.

Professional golf career

• Plays on the celebrity golf circuit.
• Competes in events for charity and sponsorship.
• Has a handicap reported to be in single figures.

Television punditry

• Regular contributor to Sky Sports and other broadcasters.
• Provides analysis on Premier League and Manchester United matches.

Social media presence

• Active on Instagram as @lsharpey5.
• Active on X (Twitter) as @Sharpeyofficial.
• Shares updates on golf, punditry, and family life.

The catch: Despite his varied career, Sharpe’s net worth remains modest compared to his former teammates, partly because his football earnings were pre-salary explosion.

Why did Lee Sharpe leave Man United?

Sharpe left Manchester United in 1996 due to a combination of loss of form, persistent injuries, and the emergence of Ryan Giggs as the undisputed left-winger. The Independent reported that manager Alex Ferguson sold him to Leeds United for a club-record £4.5 million.

Loss of form and injuries

• Hamstring and knee problems plagued his final seasons at Old Trafford.
• He made only 17 league appearances in 1995–96.

Competition from younger players

• Ryan Giggs became the first-choice left winger.
• David Beckham and Paul Scholes were also emerging.

Transfer to Leeds United

• Signed for Leeds in August 1996 for £4.5 million.
• The fee was a club record for Leeds at the time.
• He scored 10 goals in 78 appearances for Leeds.

The trade-off: Leaving United gave Sharpe more playing time, but the club’s decline and his own injuries meant he never recaptured his best form.

How rich is Lee Sharpe?

Estimates suggest Sharpe’s net worth is between £2 million and £3 million. CelebrityNetWorth (entertainment valuation site) estimates $8 million, but this figure is not independently verified.

Estimated net worth from football

• Earned significant wages at Manchester United in the 1990s.
• Transfer fee of £4.5 million to Leeds did not directly benefit him.
• Post-football income from TV, golf, and endorsements.

Post-football earnings

• Reality TV appearances (Love Island, Dancing on Ice) likely paid £50,000–£100,000 each.
• Golf sponsorship deals.
• Punditry fees estimated at £1,000–£2,000 per appearance.

Current financial status

• Notably less wealthy than many of his former United teammates.
• Has not declared bankruptcy or major financial distress.
• Lives a comfortable but not lavish lifestyle.

The pattern: Sharpe’s net worth is a fraction of what modern Premier League players earn, reflecting the vastly different financial landscape of 1990s football.

How good was Lee Sharpe?

At his peak, Sharpe was one of the most exciting young wingers in English football. He won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 1991. The Independent described him as a “pacey, direct winger” with excellent dribbling and crossing ability.

Playing style and strengths

• Left-footed winger with blistering pace.
• Strong dribbler and crosser of the ball.
• Scored spectacular goals, including a famous volley against Arsenal.

Key achievements at Manchester United

• Three Premier League titles (1993, 1994, 1996).
• Two FA Cups (1994, 1996).
• European Cup Winners’ Cup (1991).
• League Cup (1992).

International career with England

• 8 caps between 1991 and 1993.
• Scored 2 goals for the national team.
• Was part of the squad for Euro 1992 but did not play.

The implication: Sharpe’s peak was short but brilliant — he was a key part of the first great Manchester United side under Alex Ferguson.

Which clubs did Lee Sharpe play for?

Sharpe played for nine domestic teams over an 18-year career. Football Speakers (sports speaker agency) notes his career spanned from 1988 to 2002, with a brief return in 2004.

Manchester United (1988–1996)

• 265 appearances, 36 goals.
• Won seven major trophies.
• Made his debut at age 17.

Leeds United (1996–1999)

• 78 appearances, 10 goals.
• Struggled with injuries.
• Sold to Bradford City in 1999 for £200,000.

Bradford City (1999–2000)

• 7 appearances, 0 goals.
• Short spell at the club before moving on.

Later career: Portsmouth, Exeter City, and others

• Played for Portsmouth on loan in 1999.
• Joined Exeter City in 2000.
• Finished at non-league side Garforth Town in 2004.

The catch: Sharpe’s later career was a sad decline from his peak, but he kept playing until his early 30s, showing a love for the game.

Timeline

• 27 May 1971 – Born in Halesowen, England
• 1988 – Made senior debut for Manchester United
• 1991–1993 – Earned 8 caps for England
• 1996 – Transferred to Leeds United for £4.5 million
• 1999 – Moved to Bradford City
• 2000–2002 – Played for Portsmouth, Exeter City, and non-league clubs
• 2002 – Retired from professional football
• 2000s–2010s – Battled depression and anxiety; turned to golf
• 2010s – Married Laura Sharpe; appeared on reality TV shows
• Present – Active as a golfer, pundit, and social media personality

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• He played for Manchester United, Leeds United, and Bradford City.
• He won 3 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
• He earned 8 England caps.
• He is married to Laura Sharpe.
• He has children.
• He appeared on Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother.
• He is a professional golfer.

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth figure (estimates range from £2 million to £3 million).
• Number of children and their names.
• Details of his divorce from his first wife Tanya.
• Specific health diagnosis details (he has spoken about depression but not all specifics).

Quotes

“Ex-Manchester United, Leeds United and England Footballer, Golf Fanatic, Husband & Dad”

Lee Sharpe, via Instagram bio

“Lee Stuart Sharpe is an English former professional footballer, sports television pundit, reality television personality and golfer.”

Wikipedia

“Height: 6 ft 0 in, Position: Left Midfield”

Transfermarkt

“He was a pacey, direct winger with excellent dribbling and crossing ability.”

The Independent

For any footballer who peaked in the 1990s, the transition out of the game is rarely smooth. Lee Sharpe’s path — from Old Trafford star to reality TV contestant to professional golfer — shows that reinvention is possible, but it comes with trade-offs. For fans who remember his dazzling runs down the left, the lesson is clear: the same energy that made him a star on the pitch now fuels a quieter, more personal second act. For aspiring footballers, his story is a cautionary tale: the fame is fleeting, but the resilience can last a lifetime.

Frequently asked questions