Maro Itoje is an English professional rugby player who plays as a lock for the England national team and Saracens. Undoubtedly, one of the best locks worldwide, Maro is the current England captain. He is one of the most celebrated leaders in rugby today, alongside Siya Kolisi and Ardie Savea.
Despite having a decorated and successful rugby career, Maro also leads an attention-grabbing lifestyle outside rugby. His interest in politics and academic qualifications make him a different athlete altogether.
His tight family bond and roots in Nigeria also make him a global icon and a man who unites nations.
PROFILE SUMMARY
Full name: Oghenemaro Miles Itoje
Date of birth: 28 October 1994
Age: 31 years
Place of birth: Camden, London, England
Wife: Mimi Itoje
Children: none
Height: 1.98 m
Weight: 118 kg
Position(s): Lock
EARLY LIFE – MARO ITOJE’S RISE
Maro Itoje was born on 28 October 1994 in London to Nigerian parents. He grew up in a close family that still celebrates its unity to this day. He attended Salcombe Preparatory School in Southgate, where he demonstrated his athleticism.
At that time, he was an all-rounder, from football, basketball and athletics. He went on to St George’s School in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. At St George’s, Maro fell in love with rugby thanks to a local coach, Stuart Mitchell. Mitchell developed, Maro, until he found a scholarship to Harrow School, a private school.
At Harrow School, Maro became a sports icon, representing England at the Under-17 World Cup. He also progressed in his rugby development and later joined the Saracens academy.
CAREER – SARACENS
His decision to join the Saracens academy became one of the best decisions of his life. He did not take long before forcing his way into the senior team. Since then, he has become one of their greatest players of all time.
Maro had his breakthrough in the 2012-2013 season against Cardiff Blues in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. In the same season, he made his Aviva Premiership debut against Leicester Tigers. By then, he was already a regular outfielder for his team.
Years later, Maro Itoje is already a club legend, having won 5 Premiership titles in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2023. He also won the European Champions Cup in 2016, 2017, and 2019, becoming the 2015–16 European Player of the Year.
In the 2024-2025 season, after the departure of Owen Farrell, Maro was named the Saracens captain.
THE ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM – THE RED ROSSES
Maro had been with the England national team across several age groups. He was part of the Under-18 team and the captain of the England Under-20 team. He also won the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship, defeating South Africa U20 at Eden Park.
After impressing at club and youth levels, Maro Itoje received his first national team call-up in May 2015. Unfortunately, Maro failed to get into the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad. After the Rugby World Cup, new coach Eddie Jones called him again, and that became his life from then on.
He has become a key part of the England team since then, showing top leadership on and off the pitch. In January 2025, Maro Itoje was named the England Rugby captain.
As of January 2026, Itoje has over 97 appearances for the Red Roses.
MARO ITOJE’S FAMILY
Indeed, Maro has a solid foundation supporting him since childhood, across all youth levels. Born to Nigerian parents, Maro has a strong circle of family living in Nigeria and some back in Nigeria.
Even though he grew up in England, he still has strong ties to his culture and the people there. On several occasions, he shared pictures and videos of himself spending time with his family.
His father is Efe Itoje, and his mother is Florence Itoje. Unfortunately, Maro lost his mother in January 2026, something that’s disturbed him a lot.
Sharing his grief on Instagram, Maro pulled out his heart in a statement that left some fans in tears.
“For many reasons, 2025 was one of the best years of my life, due to both personal and professional milestones and achievements. Despite this, it was also the most difficult year of my life as my mother unfortunately passed away in December 2025. This was by far the biggest and most painful loss that I have ever experienced,” he said.
“She was my confidant, gist partner, friend, advisor, teacher and my comfort. There is no part of my life where she has not positively impacted!” he continued.
In addition to his parents, he has several other relatives who showed him support at his traditional wedding in September 2025.
His nephews, Brandon and Andre Harriman-Annous, are rising football stars.
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
In 2017, Maro toured New Zealand, becoming the youngest player in the squad.
He remained a constant name until 2025, when he was named the captain. Maro Itoje became the first black British & Lions captain in history.
MARO ITOJE WIFE, GIRLFRIEND AND CHILDREN
In September 2025, the talented lock married his longtime girlfriend, Mimi Fall. The two lovebirds threw an expensive traditional wedding attended by their family members and fellow rugby players, including Mako Vunipola. As of January 2026, Maro and Mimi have no children.
Mimi is a professional model in her field, but always finds time to attend matches and support her husband.
After matches, Maro and Mimi always come together and have some special time, whether they have won or lost.
This gesture has shown several times how much the two are in love, supporting each other in everything.
MARO ITOJE LIFESTYLE, CULTURE, ETHNICITY AND RELIGION
Off the pitch, Maro Itoje is a man who lives lavishly, with his fashion getting a lot of attention. His natural English background, with a Nigerian vibe, makes his fashion unique.
The England rugby star is a man who loves advocating for people on low incomes. He even founded the Itoje Peal Fund to help poor kids from Nigeria and other African nations. Maro is also a devout Christian who keeps a bible close to him.
Maro is of the Urhobo ethnicity from Delta State, Nigeria, where both his parents come from.
THE LAVISH SIDE
Away from rugby, Maro is a celebrity who lives well in the best comfort. He recently showed his expensive car on Instagram, leaving some of his fans drooling. Maro drives one of the latest Defenders.
MARO ITOJE HEIGHT AND WEIGHT
Born with naturally strong attributes, Maro found the perfect sport in rugby as a lock. Standing tall at 1.98 m, Maro has the height that makes him one of the tough guys to deal with on the pitch.
He weighs 119 kg, which is his weight relative to his height. Maro is also a gym fanatic, whether at work or at home when he gets some free time.
He also has a planned diet, mainly focused on vegetables and protein, to maintain his body.