Anyone who’s ever watched a skateboarder soar over a vert ramp knows the name Tony Hawk. He didn’t just redefine what was possible on four wheels—he turned the sport into a global phenomenon.

Born: May 12, 1968 ·
Professional since: 1982 ·
Known for: First to land a 900 (1999) ·
Skateboard company: Birdhouse Skateboards ·
X Games gold medals: 10 ·
Video game franchise: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (over 1.5 billion USD in sales)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth not publicly disclosed; estimates around $140 million are speculative (Wikipedia)
  • Whether Tony Hawk has ever taken an IQ test; no credible source reports a score (Wikipedia)
3Timeline signal
  • Turned pro 1982 · Founded Birdhouse 1992 · Landed 900 1999 · Retired from competition 2003 · Son Riley married Frances Bean Cobain 2023 (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Continues skateboarding and posting on social media; runs The Skatepark Project nonprofit (Wikipedia)

Six key facts, one pattern: the man behind the legend is taller, older, and more married than most expect.

Full name Anthony Frank Hawk
Nickname Birdman
Born May 12, 1968
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Spouse Catherine O’Malley (m. 2015)
Children 4 (including Riley Hawk)

Is Tony Hawk’s son married to Kurt Cobain’s daughter?

Yes — and it’s the kind of celebrity crossover that feels both unexpected and perfectly on-brand. Tony Hawk’s eldest son, Riley Hawk, married Frances Bean Cobain in October 2023 in Los Angeles (PEOPLE (celebrity news magazine)). Frances Bean is the only child of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain and musician Courtney Love, making the marriage a genuine rock-and-roll‑skateboarding dynasty.

Who is Riley Hawk?

  • Born in 1992 to Tony Hawk and his first wife Cindy Dunbar (PEOPLE).
  • Professional skateboarder, model, lead singer of a punk band, and founder of the coffee shop brand Steel Mill (PEOPLE).
  • Has a signature shoe with Lakai (PEOPLE).

Who is Frances Bean Cobain?

  • Born August 18, 1992, to Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love (Wikipedia (encyclopedic resource)).
  • Visual artist and occasional model; keeps a relatively low public profile.
  • Confirmed her relationship with Riley Hawk on Instagram in February 2022 (PEOPLE).

When did they get married?

The couple married in a private ceremony in Los Angeles in October 2023 (PEOPLE). Neither Tony Hawk nor the Cobain family has released extensive details, but the wedding brought together two iconic American families.

The pattern

Two second-generation legends marrying each other is rare, and it underscores how deeply skateboarding and music cultures intertwine in the public imagination. For Tony Hawk, it also means his grandchildren will be part of both the 900 and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” lineages.

The implication: the marriage solidifies a cultural bridge between two subcultures that have always shared a rebellious spirit. For fans, it’s a feel‑good story that shows even megafamous families find normal human connections.

When did Tony Hawk come out?

The short answer: he hasn’t. Tony Hawk has never publicly “come out” as LGBTQ+ because he has always been publicly identified as straight. The question appears to stem from viral misinformation or confusion with another skateboarder (Wikipedia (encyclopedic resource)).

Has Tony Hawk ever publicly addressed his sexuality?

Not directly, because there was no event to address. Haw’s three marriages (to women) and consistent public relationships with women form a clear pattern. No credible news outlet has ever reported a coming‑out event.

Is Tony Hawk gay or straight?

All available evidence points to Hawk being straight. He has been married to Cindy Dunbar, Erin Lee, Lhotse Merriam, and currently Catherine O’Malley (Wikipedia).

Why this matters

Misinformation spreads fast online, and a baseless rumor about a public figure’s sexuality can harm the person’s reputation and confuse fans. In this case, there’s no story — just a man who has lived his life openly.

The catch: the question itself reveals how quickly the internet turns absence of information into a mystery. For Tony Hawk, there is no mystery.

What does Tony Hawk do for a living now?

Tony Hawk is still deeply active in skateboarding and business. He continues to skate professionally — often posting clips on Instagram — and runs Birdhouse Skateboards, the company he founded in 1992 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic resource)). He also leads The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation), a nonprofit that has helped build nearly 1,000 free public skateparks across the U.S. (Wikipedia).

Is Tony Hawk still skateboarding?

Absolutely. At 56, Hawk regularly posts skateboarding videos on social media — ramp tricks, vert combos, even the occasional 900 attempt. He has said he still skates because he loves it (Wikipedia).

What businesses does Tony Hawk run?

  • Birdhouse Skateboards – skateboard deck and apparel brand (Wikipedia).
  • The Skatepark Project – nonprofit building skateparks in underserved communities (Wikipedia).
  • Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater – video game franchise that has sold over 1.5 billion USD in retail sales (Wikipedia).

How does Tony Hawk make money?

His income comes from birdhouse sales, video game royalties, endorsements (Nike SB, Birdhouse apparel, etc.), and public appearances. Forbes and other outlets estimate his net worth at about $140 million, though no primary financial disclosure confirms the figure (Wikipedia).

Bottom line: Tony Hawk is not retired. He skates, runs a skateboard company, manages a major nonprofit, and collects royalties from one of the best-selling sports video game franchises ever.

The trade-off: with so many revenue streams, Hawk doesn’t need to compete anymore, but he chooses to stay in the public eye through skating and philanthropy. That keeps his brand authentic.

How many wives has Tony Hawk had?

Tony Hawk has been married four times, to four different women. His current spouse is Catherine O’Malley, whom he married in 2015 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic resource)).

Who is Tony Hawk’s current wife?

  • Catherine O’Malley (also known as Cathy Goodman) – married June 27, 2015, in Limerick, Ireland (Wikipedia).

Who are Tony Hawk’s ex-wives?

  • Cindy Dunbar – married April 1990, divorced 1993; mother of Riley Hawk (PEOPLE (celebrity news magazine)).
  • Erin Lee – married 1996, divorced 2004; mother of Spencer (b. 1999) and Keegan (b. 2001) (Wikipedia).
  • Lhotse Merriam – married 2006, divorced 2011; mother of Kadence (b. 2008) (Wikipedia).
The catch

Some sources simplify this to three marriages because Lhotse Merriam’s marriage is sometimes omitted. But reliable court records and news accounts confirm four marriages.

The pattern: Hawk’s marriages span different phases of his life — from early fame to late‑career stability. His children from these relationships have all grown up around skateboarding and the public eye.

Does Tony Hawk have a high IQ?

No reliable source reports Tony Hawk’s IQ score. The question likely arises from his reputation for innovation and business savvy, not from any formal IQ measurement (Wikipedia (encyclopedic resource)).

Has Tony Hawk ever taken an IQ test publicly?

Not that any credible outlet has ever reported. Hawk has never claimed a high IQ or cited a test score in interviews.

What is Tony Hawk’s educational background?

  • Left high school early to pursue skateboarding full time, later earned a GED (Wikipedia).
  • No college degree; his education was on‑ramp and in business.
The upshot

Hawk’s track record of inventing tricks and building a lasting brand suggests strong problem‑solving ability, but without a score, the IQ rumor remains exactly that — a rumor.

The implication: curiosity about intelligence often follows successful people, but it’s more productive to examine what they’ve achieved than a number. Hawk’s innovations in vert skating and business speak for themselves.

Timeline

  • 1968 – Tony Hawk born in Carlsbad, California. (Wikipedia)
  • 1982 – Becomes professional skateboarder at age 14. (Wikipedia)
  • 1992 – Founds Birdhouse Skateboards. (Wikipedia)
  • 1999 – Lands the first documented 900 at X Games V. (Wikipedia)
  • 2002 – Retires from competitive skateboarding (later returns for demos). (Wikipedia)
  • 2015 – Marries Catherine O’Malley. (Wikipedia)
  • 2023 – Son Riley Hawk marries Frances Bean Cobain. (PEOPLE)

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Tony Hawk has been married four times. (Wikipedia)
  • His son Riley married Frances Bean Cobain in 2023. (PEOPLE)
  • Tony Hawk is still active in skateboarding and charity. (Wikipedia)
  • He has never publicly come out as LGBTQ+. (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Whether Tony Hawk has ever taken an IQ test; no credible source reports a score. (Wikipedia)
  • Exact net worth figure — widely cited $140 million is not from a primary financial disclosure. (Wikipedia)

For Tony Hawk, the line between confirmed and rumor is refreshingly clear: his marriages, children, and career milestones are well documented, while the internet’s curiosity about his IQ or net worth remains speculation.

The detailed skateboarding legends life and career includes verified facts about his iconic 900 trick and family milestones.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tony Hawk still alive?

Yes, Tony Hawk is alive and active as of 2025. (Wikipedia)

How tall is Tony Hawk?

He is 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m). (Wikipedia)

What is Tony Hawk’s net worth?

Estimates place it around $140 million, but no official financial disclosure confirms this. (Wikipedia)

Does Tony Hawk still skateboard?

Yes, he regularly posts skateboarding videos on social media and performs demos. (Wikipedia)

Who is Tony Hawk’s current wife?

Catherine O’Malley, married in 2015. (Wikipedia)

How many children does Tony Hawk have?

Four: Riley, Spencer, Keegan, and Kadence. (PEOPLE)

What is Tony Hawk’s most famous trick?

The 900, which he landed at X Games V in 1999. (Wikipedia)

Is Tony Hawk the richest skateboarder?

By reported estimates, yes — his net worth leads the sport. (Wikipedia)

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