Karen Carney’s Private Life: What We Know About Her Partner Status
The Mystery Surrounding Karen Carney’s Personal Life
Former England footballer Karen Carney has captured the nation’s attention once again, this time by winning the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Carlos Gu. Yet whilst her professional achievements continue to make headlines, questions about her personal life—particularly regarding a romantic partner—remain largely unanswered.
As of 2025, Karen Carney has not publicly confirmed a partner, nor does she have children. The 38-year-old sports broadcaster and former Lioness has consistently maintained a firm boundary between her public career and private life, leading to considerable speculation amongst fans and media alike.
Speculation and Rumours
Despite the lack of confirmed information, Carney’s name has been linked in the past to Liesel Jolly, who helped Karen co-create the Second Half initiative, that assists women footballers in establishing careers after stepping away from the pitch. However, neither have hinted that their relationship is anything other than professional.
Online discussion occasionally references various individuals based on professional proximity or shared football history, though there is no factual basis for these claims and no credible source has described a romantic relationship.
A Career-Focused Approach
Karen Carney’s decision to keep her personal life private appears deliberate and consistent. Based on verified public records, Karen Carney is not married and has not publicly confirmed any romantic partner, maintaining a strong focus on her professional career and preferring to keep her private life out of the spotlight.
The former footballer has enjoyed a distinguished career, representing England at four World Cups and earning over 140 caps. Since retiring in 2019, she has established herself as a respected broadcaster and pundit, working with major networks including Sky Sports, ITV, and BBC.
Recent Triumph on Strictly Come Dancing
Carney’s recent victory on Strictly Come Dancing has brought renewed attention to her personal life. During the competition, the former Lioness, who became the first footballer to make the Strictly final, opened up about the emotional impact of the show and how it helped to restore her confidence after her career was hit by vicious trolls.
She revealed: “It’s by far the happiest I’ve ever been, I’ve smiled like I’ve never smiled before, and I’m forever grateful to the show and to Carlos [Gu – her professional partner] for that”.
Respecting Privacy in the Public Eye
Karen Carney’s approach to privacy serves as a reminder that public figures are entitled to maintain boundaries around their personal lives. Her commitment to privacy has allowed her to thrive both personally and professionally, enabling her to focus on her broadcasting career and advocacy work for women’s football without distraction.
For fans curious about Karen Carney’s partner status, the answer remains clear: she has chosen to keep this aspect of her life private, and that choice deserves respect. Her professional accomplishments—from her stellar football career to her recent Glitterball triumph—continue to inspire, regardless of her relationship status.