Coleen Mary Rooney (née McLoughlin), born on April 3, 1986, in Liverpool, England, has become a prominent figure in British media. Initially known as the childhood sweetheart and later the wife of footballing legend Wayne Rooney, Coleen has carved out her own successful career as a media personality, television presenter, columnist, and author. Her journey from a young girl in Liverpool to a celebrated public figure has been marked by both personal triumphs and intense public scrutiny, most notably surrounding her marriage and the now-infamous “Wagatha Christie” legal battle.

Early Life and Education

Growing up in the Croxteth area of Liverpool, Coleen was the eldest of four children born to Tony and Colette McLoughlin, who have Irish heritage. Her father was a bricklayer who also ran a boxing club. Tragically, Coleen’s younger sister, Rosie, who suffered from Rett syndrome, passed away at the age of 14 in January 2013. Coleen attended St John Bosco Arts College and excelled academically, achieving 10 GCSEs, including an A* in Performing Arts. It was during her school years that she first met Wayne Rooney, who attended the same college, although their romantic relationship began later.

Career Highlights

Coleen Rooney’s career trajectory has been diverse and multifaceted

Early Media Appearances: Coleen first stepped into the public eye as Wayne Rooney’s profile grew. She began writing a column for the celebrity magazine Closer titled “Welcome to My World,” offering insights into her life as a young woman in the spotlight. She later moved to OK! magazine, where she penned a weekly fashion and news column.

Television Presenting: In May 2006, Coleen assisted Sir Trevor McDonald on his show Tonight with Trevor McDonald in a program focusing on Rett syndrome, a cause close to her heart due to her sister Rosie’s condition. This led to her own ITV series, Coleen’s Real Women, where she sought “real women” to front advertising campaigns, challenging the traditional use of models.

“Wagatha Christie” and Documentary: The most significant recent chapter in Coleen’s public life is undoubtedly the “Wagatha Christie” saga. In 2019, suspecting that private information from her Instagram account was being leaked to the press, Coleen conducted a meticulous sting operation. She selectively shared fabricated stories, adjusting her privacy settings so they were only visible to the account of Rebekah Vardy, the wife of footballer Jamie Vardy. When these false stories appeared in The Sun newspaper, Coleen publicly accused Vardy on social media, famously concluding her post with “It’s ………. Rebekah Vardy’s account.”

The ensuing libel case, Vardy v Rooney, captivated the nation. In October 2023, a drama documentary titled Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story was released on Disney+, providing Coleen’s perspective on the events leading up to the social media post and the subsequent high court trial. The documentary offered a detailed account of her investigation and the emotional toll of the legal battle.

I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!: In November 2024, Coleen participated in the twenty-fourth series of the popular reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!. She spent 22 days in the Australian jungle and ultimately finished as the runner-up to McFly’s Danny Jones. Her appearance on the show garnered significant media attention, with reports suggesting she was the highest-paid contestant in the show’s history, earning a reported £1.5 million. During her time on the show, she offered glimpses into her personal life and her relationship with Wayne.

Personal Life: Marriage and Family

Coleen’s personal life has been intertwined with that of Wayne Rooney since their teenage years. They met at age 12 in the Liverpool suburb of Croxteth and began dating at 16 after leaving secondary school. 

Their relationship has been under constant public scrutiny, particularly due to Wayne’s high-profile football career and several well-documented scandals involving infidelity. Despite these challenges, Coleen has remained by his side. In her 2023 Amazon documentary Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story, she spoke candidly about the difficulties they have faced but emphasized the enduring love in their relationship and her commitment to their family.

Wayne proposed to Coleen in 2003 when he was 18 and she was 17, with an emerald-cut diamond ring reportedly worth £46,000. They married on June 12, 2008, in a lavish ceremony in Portofino, Italy. OK! The couple have four sons: Kai Wayne Rooney (born November 2, 2009), Klay Anthony Rooney (born May 21, 2013), Kit Joseph Rooney (born January 24, 2016), and Cass Mac Rooney (born February 15, 2018).

The family has resided in various locations due to Wayne’s football career, including mansions in Formby and Prestbury in Cheshire, and Washington D.C. during his time playing and managing for D.C. United. They currently live in a reported £20 million mansion in Cheshire. Coleen is also a patron of the Liverpool-based Alder Hey Children’s Charity, reflecting her ongoing connection to her hometown.

Public Perception and Media Scrutiny

Initially seen as simply the partner of a famous footballer, she has successfully established her own identity and career. The “Wagatha Christie” saga, in particular, showcased her intelligence, determination, and savvy use of social media, earning her widespread admiration and the moniker “Wagatha Christie,” a portmanteau of “WAGs” (Wives and Girlfriends of footballers) and the renowned mystery writer Agatha Christie.

Her decision to remain with Wayne despite his public indiscretions has drawn both support and criticism, highlighting the complexities of their relationship as viewed by the public. However, Coleen has consistently emphasized her commitment to her family and her belief in working through their difficulties.

Coleen Rooney’s Net Worth

While her husband Wayne Rooney has amassed a significant fortune throughout his illustrious football career, Coleen has also built substantial wealth through her media ventures, endorsements, and television appearances. Estimates of Coleen’s individual net worth vary, but reports in late 2024 and early 2025 suggest it to be around £15 million. Her record-breaking fee for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, reportedly £1.5 million, further boosted her financial standing. Together, Coleen and Wayne Rooney are considered one of Britain’s wealthiest couples, with a combined net worth estimated to be around £200 million. Some reports even suggested that Coleen’s savvy investments, particularly in a sports health firm, could potentially see her net worth surpass Wayne’s in the future.

Final Thoughts

Coleen Rooney’s journey from a Liverpool teenager to a successful media personality is a testament to her resilience and adaptability. She has navigated the intense pressures of fame, stood by her family through challenging times, and emerged as a formidable figure in her own right. The “Wagatha Christie” saga cemented her image as intelligent and resourceful, while her recent appearance on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! showcased her down-to-earth personality to a new audience. As she continues her career in the public eye, Coleen Rooney remains a compelling and influential figure in British popular culture.

FAQs

What is Coleen Rooney doing now?

As of May 2025, Coleen Rooney continues to be a prominent media personality. Her recent appearance on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in late 2024 kept her in the public eye. She also remains involved in her various endorsements and media projects.

What was the “Wagatha Christie” trial about?

The “Wagatha Christie” trial was a high-profile libel case in 2022 between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. It stemmed from Coleen’s accusation in 2019 that Rebekah Vardy’s Instagram account was leaking her private stories to The Sun newspaper. The trial concluded with the judge ruling in Coleen’s favor, finding that her statements were substantially true.

How did Coleen Rooney catch Rebekah Vardy?

Coleen conducted a sting operation on her private Instagram account. She posted a series of false stories over five months, adjusting her privacy settings so that each story was only visible to Rebekah Vardy’s account. When these fabricated stories appeared in The Sun, Coleen publicly revealed her findings, famously stating, “It’s ………. Rebekah Vardy’s account.”

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