
Lee Sharpe: Wife, Net Worth, Career & What He’s Doing Now
Few Premier League wingers of the 1990s had a sharper drop-off from the top than Lee Sharpe — then again, few swapped Old Trafford for a professional golf tee and a sports bar on the Spanish coast. This article traces his journey from Manchester United’s left flank to the fairways of Moortown, what he’s doing now, and the verified facts around his career, family, and net worth.
Full name: Lee Stuart Sharpe · Born: 27 May 1971 (age 53), Halesowen, England · Position: Left midfielder · Spouse: Emma Sharpe · Children: Two
Quick snapshot
- Born 27 May 1971 in Halesowen, England (Wikipedia)
- Played for Manchester United, Leeds United, Bradford City, Exeter City, Garforth Town (Wikipedia)
- Married to Emma Sharpe; two children (The Express)
- Exact net worth figure – estimates vary (The Express)
- Specific reason for leaving Manchester United beyond lack of playing time (The Express)
- Full list of reality TV appearances (The Express)
- 1988: Joined Manchester United youth academy – 1996: Transferred to Leeds United (£4.5m) (Wikipedia)
- 2021: Turned professional golfer; moved to Xàbia, Spain (Wikipedia)
- Aspires to play on the Staysure Tour (senior golf) (Worldwide Golf)
- Active as TV pundit and on social media (Instagram @lsharpey5) (Wikipedia)
The table below compiles the verified biographical data for Lee Sharpe, drawn from multiple sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 May 1971, Halesowen, England (Wikipedia) |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Position | Left midfielder (Wikipedia) |
| Spouse | Emma Sharpe (The Express) |
| Children | Two (The Express) |
| Net worth | Not publicly known (estimated £8 million) (The Express) |
| Current residence | Hale, Greater Manchester (Wikipedia) |
Who is Lee Sharpe’s wife?
Who is Emma Sharpe?
- Lee Sharpe’s wife is Emma Sharpe. They have been married since around 2006 and have two children together (The Express).
The couple has largely kept their family life private, but Emma has occasionally appeared alongside Lee at golf events and on his social media posts.
How did Lee Sharpe meet his wife?
Specific details of their first meeting are not widely reported. What is known: the couple built a life that moved from the football world into golf, travel, and business ventures including the short-lived sports bar “Sharpey’s” in Xàbia, Spain (Wikipedia).
For fans following Lee Sharpe’s personal life, the key takeaway is stability: a long marriage and two children, away from the tabloid gossip that often follows ex-Premier League stars. The family’s move to Spain and the bar venture show a willingness to rebuild, but the core household remains rooted in Cheshire.
What is Lee Sharpe doing now?
Lee Sharpe’s golf career
Sharpe describes himself as “absolutely golf mad, I’m obsessed,” according to an interview with Worldwide Golf (golf media outlet). He took up the sport seriously after retiring from football and has lowered his handicap to around 3.6. He is a member at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds, where he plays off a 4 handicap (Worldwide Golf).
His ambition is clear: to play on the Staysure Tour (the European senior tour) when eligible. “I want to test myself against the best,” he has said. The The Express reported that Sharpe turned professional in 2021, though his exact handicap progression remains tracked on social media.
Lee Sharpe as a TV pundit
Beyond golf, Sharpe works as a pundit for ESPN Star and Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, offering analysis on Premier League matches (Wikipedia). He has also appeared on reality TV shows including Celebrity Wrestling, Celebrity Love Island, and Dancing on Ice (Wikipedia).
Lee Sharpe on social media
He maintains active accounts on Instagram (@lsharpey5) and X (@Sharpeyofficial), where he posts golf updates, punditry clips, and family moments (Wikipedia).
“I’m absolutely golf mad, I’m obsessed. It’s all I think about.”
— Lee Sharpe to Worldwide Golf
“I want to test myself against the best. The Staysure Tour is my target.”
— Lee Sharpe to Worldwide Golf
Lee Sharpe turns 53 in May 2024 — he is already past the age threshold for the Staysure Tour (50). The question is whether his competitive handicap (currently 4 at Moortown) can drop enough to earn a card. His golf obsession suggests he will keep grinding, but senior pro status requires consistent tournament scoring, not just internet headlines.
Why did Lee Sharpe leave Man Utd?
Competition for places
- By the mid-1990s, Manchester United’s left-wing spot was increasingly occupied by Ryan Giggs, with young talent like David Beckham emerging. Sharpe found himself out of the starting XI regularly (Wikipedia).
Transfer to Leeds United
- In 1996, Sharpe moved to Leeds United for a fee of £4.5 million (Wikipedia). Official accounts cite lack of regular first-team football as the reason.
The implication: Sharpe’s departure was less about a dramatic falling out and more about natural squad evolution at a club that was building a dynasty. He left with three Premier League winners’ medals and an FA Cup winner’s medal (The Express).
How rich is Lee Sharpe?
Lee Sharpe’s net worth estimates
- Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Various estimates place it around £8 million, factoring in football contracts, endorsement deals, and property holdings (The Express).
Sources of income
- Football contracts (peak earnings at Manchester United and Leeds United)
- Punditry fees for ESPN Star and Abu Dhabi Sports Channel
- Appearance fees from reality TV shows
- Golf event participation and potential sponsorships
The catch: without a published financial statement, any net worth figure is speculation. The Express article, which is the most concrete source on his wealth, provides an estimate but no hard documentation.
Where does Lee Sharpe live now?
Current residence
- As of the latest reports, Lee Sharpe resides in Hale, Greater Manchester (Wikipedia). This is a wealthy suburb of Manchester, home to several former United players.
Properties owned
- He previously owned a home in Spain (Xàbia, Alicante), where he opened a sports bar named “Sharpey’s” in December 2021. The bar closed in 2022 (Wikipedia).
The pattern: living in Hale keeps him close to punditry work and Moortown Golf Club, but the Spanish property market gave him a brief taste of the expatriate lifestyle. The bar’s rapid closure suggests the hospitality business is tougher than it looks.
Timeline signal
- 27 May 1971 – Born in Halesowen, England (Wikipedia)
- 1988 – Joined Manchester United youth academy (Wikipedia)
- 1988–1996 – Played for Manchester United – 8 seasons, 2 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup (The Express)
- 1996 – Transferred to Leeds United for £4.5 million (Wikipedia)
- 1998–2000 – Played for Bradford City (loan and permanent) (Wikipedia)
- 2000–2002 – Played for Exeter City (Wikipedia)
- 2002–2007 – Played for Garforth Town (non-league) (Wikipedia)
- 2007 – Ended professional football career (Wikipedia)
- 2010s – Turned professional golfer; began punditry work (Worldwide Golf)
- Oct 2021 – Moved to Xàbia, Spain; opened “Sharpey’s” bar (Wikipedia)
- 2022 – Bar closed (Wikipedia)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Born 27 May 1971 (Wikipedia)
- Married to Emma Sharpe; two children (The Express)
- Played for Man Utd, Leeds, Bradford, Exeter, Garforth (Wikipedia)
- Active on Instagram @lsharpey5 and X @Sharpeyofficial (Wikipedia)
- Lives in Hale, Greater Manchester (Wikipedia)
- Appeared on Celebrity Love Island, Dancing on Ice, Celebrity Wrestling (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure (The Express estimate only)
- Specific reason for leaving Man Utd (official: lack of playing time; speculation: falling out with Ferguson)
- Full list of reality TV appearances
For a generation of Manchester United fans, Lee Sharpe remains a “what if” story — but his post-football life is more active than most. From professional golf aspirations to punditry and a brief Spanish bar venture, he has carved out a second act. The implication for anyone tracking his net worth or whereabouts: the numbers are fuzzy, but the golf obsession is real. For aspiring senior tour players, the lesson is that a Premier League career doesn’t guarantee a pro golf card — but it gives you the platform and the obsession to try.
Related reading: When is the Ryder Cup 2025? Dates, Venue, TV Schedule & Teams · Dango Ouattara: Brentford’s £42.5m Record Transfer
For a deeper look at his transition from football to reality TV and professional golf, check out Lee Sharpes golf and TV career.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lee Sharpe’s height?
Lee Sharpe is 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) tall.
How many children does Lee Sharpe have?
He has two children with his wife Emma Sharpe (The Express).
What clubs did Lee Sharpe play for?
Manchester United, Leeds United, Bradford City, Exeter City, and Garforth Town (Wikipedia).
When did Lee Sharpe retire from football?
He ended his professional football career in 2007 (Wikipedia).
What is Lee Sharpe’s golf handicap?
He reportedly plays off a 4 handicap at Moortown Golf Club, with aspirations to turn professional (Worldwide Golf).
Did Lee Sharpe play for England?
Yes, Lee Sharpe earned 8 caps for the England national team between 1991 and 1993 (Wikipedia).
What is Lee Sharpe’s Instagram handle?
His Instagram handle is @lsharpey5 (Wikipedia).
Is Lee Sharpe active on social media?
Yes, he is active on Instagram (@lsharpey5) and X (@Sharpeyofficial) (Wikipedia).