
Sharron Davies – Olympic Swimmer, Baroness, and Gladiators Star
Sharron Davies is a British former Olympic swimmer, a television personality known for her role on the show Gladiators, and since early 2026, a life peer in the House of Lords. Her public profile extends beyond sport into political activism, particularly regarding the fairness of women’s athletic categories.
Born in Plymouth, Davies represented Great Britain at the highest levels of swimming, winning an Olympic silver medal in 1980. Decades later, she was appointed Baroness Davies of Devonport, sitting as a Conservative peer. Her journey from the pool to the red benches is marked by athletic achievement, media work, and a prominent role in a deeply polarising debate.
Who Is Sharron Davies? A Look at the Olympic Swimmer Turned Baroness
Sharron Elizabeth Davies was born on 1 November 1962 in Plymouth, Devon. She first competed at the Olympic Games at the age of 13 in Montreal in 1976. Her finest Olympic moment came at the 1980 Moscow Games, where she won a silver medal in the 400-metre individual medley and a bronze in the 4×100-metre medley relay.
Silver (1980), Bronze (1980 relay), plus multiple Commonwealth golds
Baroness Davies of Devonport (Life Peer since 2024)
Known to be married with children; spouse details vary – see below
Author of ‘Unfair Play’ (2023) on fairness in women’s sports
Key Insights
- Sharron Davies was appointed a life peer in 2024 as Baroness Davies of Devonport, sitting as a Conservative in the House of Lords.
- She is one of the most vocal former athletes advocating for the protection of women’s sports categories based on biological sex.
- Despite a successful swimming career in the late 1970s and 1980s, her public profile has risen mainly through political activism and commentary.
- Her net worth is estimated from swimming earnings, speaking fees, book sales, and a line of recovery products, but no official disclosure exists.
- The question ‘Sharron Davies Gladiator name’ refers to her appearance on the UK show ‘Gladiators’ where she was known as ‘Amazon’ – a fact that is not widely documented.
Snapshot Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sharron Elizabeth Davies, Baroness Davies of Devonport |
| Born | 1 November 1962 |
| Sport | Swimming (freestyle, individual medley) |
| Olympic Medals | 2 (1 silver, 1 bronze) |
| MBE | 1991 |
| Title | Life Peer (Baroness) since 2024 |
| Political Party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Married multiple times; details vary across sources |
| Children | At least one, possibly two or three (unconfirmed) |
| Net Worth | Estimated £1–5 million (unofficial) |
| Gladiator Name | Amazon |
| Notable Book | Unfair Play (2023) |
Sharron Davies Spouse, Partner, and Children – Her Personal Life
Information about Sharron Davies’s personal life comes with notable inconsistencies across sources. She is known to have been married multiple times, but the exact number, the names of her spouses, and the number of her children are not reported uniformly.
Marital History
One report from the Mirror states she has been married three times, spanning from 1987 to 2009. IMDb, however, records her as married to Tony Kingston since 2002, with one child from that union. Other sources add that she was previously married to athletes Derek Redmond and John Crisp. It is safe to conclude she has had at least two marriages, likely three, but the record is not consistent.
Children
The number of her children also varies by source. Some reports mention two children from her marriage to Derek Redmond, while a later source suggests she may have three children and two grandchildren. Because these details conflict, the exact count cannot be stated with certainty.
The available sources agree that Sharron Davies has been married more than once and has children, but they disagree on names, dates, and numbers. This is common for public figures whose private lives are not fully documented in official records.
Is Sharron Davies a Dame? Her House of Lords Appointment and Conservative Affiliation
Sharron Davies is not a Dame. The title she holds is that of a life peer, specifically Baroness Davies of Devonport. She was nominated for a Conservative peerage in December 2025 and created Baroness Davies of Devonport on 15 January 2026. By 2026, she had taken her seat on the red benches of the House of Lords.
Her appointment formalised her long-standing political alignment. She has been described as a Conservative and uses her platform in the upper chamber to advocate on issues related to sport, education, and gender.
A life peerage, such as Baroness, is a non-hereditary title that grants a seat in the House of Lords. It is distinct from a Damehood, which is a knighthood equivalent. Many online searches confuse these two honours.
What Was Sharron Davies’s Gladiator Name? Her Role on the Show
In the 1990s, Sharron Davies appeared on the popular UK television show Gladiators. She portrayed the character known as “Amazon.” This role is a frequent subject of public curiosity, as reflected in the high volume of searches for “Sharron Davies Gladiator name.” It is a part of her career that often sits in the shadow of her later political activism.
Sharron Davies Net Worth – How Much Is the Former Swimmer Worth?
No verified figure for Sharron Davies’s net worth exists from a primary source. Various websites provide estimates: one suggests about $3 million, while another gives a range of £1–5 million. These figures are not official disclosures and should be treated as estimates. Her earnings likely derive from her swimming career, television appearances, book sales, speaking fees, and a line of recovery products.
Key Milestones in Sharron Davies’s Life
- 1962: Born in Plymouth, England.
- 1976: First Olympic appearance at age 13 in Montreal.
- 1980: Wins Olympic silver in 400m individual medley and bronze in 4×100m medley relay.
- 1991: Awarded MBE for services to swimming.
- 1990s: Appears on UK Gladiators as “Amazon.”
- 2023: Co-authors Unfair Play: The Battle for Women’s Sport with Craig Lord.
- 2026: Appointed life peer as Baroness Davies of Devonport, sits as a Conservative peer.
What We Know and What Is Unclear About Sharron Davies
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She is a former Olympic swimmer, MBE, and life peer. | Her current marital status and the exact number of her spouses. |
| She has publicly identified as a Conservative and was nominated for a peerage. | Her precise net worth figure – only estimates exist. |
| Her book Unfair Play exists and outlines her views on female sports categories. | The exact details of her role on Gladiators – whether she was a Gladiator or a Contender – and the name used (Amazon). |
| She won an Olympic silver medal in 1980. | The number and names of her children, which are not publicly confirmed. |
Why Sharron Davies Remains a Controversial and Influential Figure
Sharron Davies’s transition from elite athlete to public intellectual mirrors the trajectory of many Olympians, but her focus on the fairness of transgender inclusion in women’s sports has made her a polarising figure. Her appointment to the House of Lords as a Conservative peer formalised her political influence.
Her book Unfair Play and frequent media appearances argue that biological sex is a fundamental category in sport – a stance that attracts both support from feminist sport advocates and criticism from transgender rights groups. In November 2025, she and sailor Tracy Edwards announced a Women’s Sports Union focused on women’s and girls’ sport.
The popularity of search queries like “Is Sharron Davies a dame” and “Sharron Davies net worth” reflects public curiosity about her status and wealth. The question “Sharron Davies Gladiator name” suggests lingering nostalgia for her earlier television career, which is often overshadowed by her political persona.
Key Sources and Quotes
“Biology believer” – from X bio, emblematic of her stance on sport and gender.
Key sources for this article include Wikipedia’s comprehensive biography, her official X profile, and reports from the ITV News covering her peerage. Additional context came from a Q&A with Sundried and records on Gordon Poole Agency and Transgender Map.
Summary: Sharron Davies’s Story in Brief
Sharron Davies is a former Olympic swimmer and current life peer in the House of Lords. She is known for her silver medal at the 1980 Moscow Games, her role as Amazon on Gladiators, and her outspoken advocacy regarding women’s sports categories. Her personal life details, including the exact number of her marriages and children, are not fully consistent across public records. She remains an influential and controversial figure in British public life. For another perspective on a prominent British sports figure, read about Greg Rutherford – Net Worth, Wife and Life After Athletics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharron Davies
How many Olympic medals has Sharron Davies won?
She won two medals: a silver in the 400m individual medley and a bronze in the 4×100m medley relay, both in 1980.
Did Sharron Davies win a gold medal?
No, she never won an Olympic gold. She won silver and bronze at the 1980 Moscow Games.
Is Sharron Davies related to any other famous sportspeople?
No, she is not known to be related to other famous athletes.
What is Sharron Davies’s MBE for?
She was awarded an MBE in 1991 for services to swimming.
Why is Sharron Davies a Baroness?
She was appointed a life peer as part of the Conservative Party’s nominations to the House of Lords, taking the title Baroness Davies of Devonport.
What is ‘Unfair Play’ about?
The book, co-authored with Craig Lord, argues that biological sex should determine eligibility in women’s sports, opposing the inclusion of transgender women who have gone through male puberty.
What was Sharron Davies’s name on Gladiators?
She appeared as the character “Amazon” on the UK television show Gladiators in the 1990s.
Is Sharron Davies a Dame?
No. She holds the title of Baroness, a life peerage, which is different from a Damehood.
How much is Sharron Davies worth?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates from unofficial sources range from £1 million to $3 million.
Who is Sharron Davies’s husband?
Public records are not consistent. She has been married to multiple partners, including Derek Redmond and Tony Kingston, but the details vary by source.