
There’s a moment in Andre Agassi’s autobiography, Open, where he admits he hated tennis even as he dominated it. That tension—between fame and purpose—has defined his life long after he hung up his racket.
Grand Slam singles titles: 8 ·
Career Grand Slam achieved: 1999 ·
ATP world No. 1 ranking: 101 weeks ·
Olympic gold medal: 1996 ·
Spouse: Steffi Graf (m. 2001) ·
Foundation funds raised: $177 million since 1994
Quick snapshot
- Agassi married Brooke Shields in 1997 and divorced in 1999 (Washington Post).
- He completed the Career Grand Slam in 1999 at the French Open (TIME).
- He has alopecia areata, confirmed in his autobiography and interviews (The Guardian).
- He and Steffi Graf have two children and live in Las Vegas (New York Times).
- Exact combined net worth figures fluctuate by source and year (New York Times).
- Details of Agassi’s current business ventures beyond the foundation are not fully public (Washington Post).
- The exact number of charter schools currently operating in the Agassi network is not independently verified. ((New York Times))
- Retired in September 2006 after final U.S. Open (Washington Post).
- Foundation launched 1994; first school opened 2001 (TIME).
- Married Steffi Graf in 2001; two children born 2001 and 2003 (New York Times).
- Continues to run Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy (TIME).
- Partnership with Canyon Capital to expand charter school network (New York Times).
- Occasional tennis exhibitions and charity events (Washington Post).
The table below distills the core biographical details that frame Agassi’s public life.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andre Kirk Agassi |
| Born | April 29, 1970 (Las Vegas, Nevada, USA) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Turned pro | 1986 (Andre Agassi Foundation for Education) |
| Retired | 2006 (Washington Post) |
| Spouse | Steffi Graf (m. 2001) |
What condition does Andre Agassi have?
Agassi’s alopecia areata diagnosis
Andre Agassi was diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. He wore a hairpiece during matches to conceal it, a detail he fully disclosed in his autobiography Open (The Guardian). The condition, while not life-threatening, shaped his public image and private struggles.
How Agassi managed hair loss during his career
Agassi admitted he feared being seen as imperfect and relied on a wig for years (The Guardian). After retiring, he shaved his head permanently, embracing the bald look that has since become his trademark. The shift from concealment to acceptance marks a key chapter in his personal evolution.
Agassi’s willingness to speak openly about alopecia has encouraged others to seek diagnosis and reject stigma, proving that athlete vulnerability can drive public health awareness.
The implication: what began as a private struggle became a public platform for normalizing autoimmune conditions.
What’s Andre Agassi doing now?
Philanthropy and the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education
Agassi launched the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education in 1994 (TIME). The foundation has raised over $177 million as of 2012 (Andre Agassi Foundation for Education), with $118 million coming from the Grand Slam for Children benefit concert (Andre Agassi Foundation for Education). By 2010, the Washington Post reported more than $60 million had been raised specifically for disadvantaged children in southern Nevada (Washington Post).
- Agassi said his foundation work consumed 70% to 80% of his time in 2010 (Washington Post).
- The foundation built a shelter for abused children, the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club, and Team Agassi tennis program (Andre Agassi Foundation for Education).
Current business ventures and public appearances
In 2011, Agassi partnered with Canyon Capital Realty Advisors to form the Canyon-Agassi Charter School Facilities Fund, which aimed to finance up to 75 charter schools nationwide (New York Times). He occasionally participates in tennis exhibitions and charity matches, but his primary focus remains education.
Family life with Steffi Graf
Agassi married Steffi Graf in 2001. They have two children: son Jaden Gil (born 2001) and daughter Jaz Elle (born 2003), and they live in Las Vegas (New York Times). The couple is known for keeping a low profile, rarely giving joint interviews, but both are active in philanthropy.
The pattern: every major post-tennis venture circles back to a single objective—expanding educational access.
Why did Brooke Shields and Andre Agassi split?
Shields’ account of the marriage
Brooke Shields and Andre Agassi married in 1997 and divorced in 1999 (Washington Post). In her memoir and interviews, Shields described Agassi as emotionally distant and said she often felt alone in the marriage (Washington Post). The relationship, she claimed, was marked by his constant touring and her own career demands.
Differences in lifestyle and priorities
Sources close to the couple noted stark lifestyle differences: Shields was an actress and model with a socialite existence, while Agassi was deep in competitive tennis and beginning to wrestle with his identity off the court. The mismatch escalated quickly after the wedding.
Agassi’s perspective from his autobiography
In Open, Agassi admits his immaturity contributed to the split. He writes that he was not ready for marriage and that his priorities—tennis, then later his foundation—left little room for the relationship (The Guardian). The divorce was finalized in 1999, the same year he won the French Open and completed the Career Grand Slam (TIME).
Agassi’s personal turmoil coincided with his greatest professional achievement, showing how off-court struggles can fuel—and be fueled by—on-court success.
What this means: the collapse of his first marriage became a turning point that redirected his focus toward the foundation that now defines his legacy.
What do Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi do now?
Joint philanthropic projects
Both Agassi and Graf run separate foundations, but they also collaborate on charitable initiatives—especially those combining education and sports (New York Times). Graf’s foundation focuses on children’s welfare, while Agassi’s targets charter-school access, creating a complementary philanthropic force.
Current residences and lifestyle
The family resides in Las Vegas, where Agassi’s charter school is located. They own homes in California and Switzerland but maintain privacy, rarely appearing in celebrity gossip (New York Times). Their children have been raised away from the public eye.
Involvement in tennis and sports
Neither Agassi nor Graf is competitively active, though both occasionally appear at legacy events such as the French Open and Wimbledon (Washington Post). Agassi has served as a mentor to young players, but his daily focus is on his foundation and business ventures (TIME).
From two of the most dominant athletes in history, Agassi and Graf have built a quiet life centered on family and purpose—a rarity among sports icons.
The catch: their shared reluctance to seek the spotlight makes their philanthropic impact easy to underestimate.
Is Andre Agassi a millionaire?
Agassi’s career earnings
Andre Agassi’s net worth is estimated at $145 million (New York Times), derived from prize money, endorsements with Nike, Head, and others, and post-tennis business ventures (Washington Post). His combined net worth with Steffi Graf exceeds $200 million, though exact figures fluctuate by source (New York Times).
Combined net worth with Steffi Graf
According to multiple financial profiles, the couple’s combined wealth places them among the richest athlete families in history (New York Times). Graf’s own career earnings, plus her investments, push the total well into the nine-figure range.
Business and endorsement income
During his career, Agassi had endorsement deals with Nike, Head, and Canon, among others (Washington Post). After retiring, he built a business portfolio including the Canyon-Agassi fund and real estate ventures, which continue to generate income.
Timeline
- 1970 – Born in Las Vegas, Nevada (Andre Agassi Foundation for Education).
- 1986 – Turned professional at age 16 (Andre Agassi Foundation for Education).
- 1992 – Won first Grand Slam at Wimbledon.
- 1997 – Married Brooke Shields (Washington Post).
- 1999 – Divorced Shields; won French Open to complete Career Grand Slam (TIME).
- 2001 – Married Steffi Graf; son Jaden Gil born (New York Times).
- 2003 – Daughter Jaz Elle born (New York Times).
- 2006 – Retired from professional tennis (Washington Post).
- 2026 – People.com reports 26th anniversary of French Open victory.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Agassi married Brooke Shields in 1997 and divorced in 1999 (Washington Post).
- He completed the Career Grand Slam in 1999 at the French Open (TIME).
- He has alopecia areata, confirmed in his autobiography and interviews (The Guardian).
- He and Steffi Graf have two children and live in Las Vegas (New York Times).
What’s unclear
- Exact combined net worth figures fluctuate by source and year (New York Times).
- Details of Agassi’s current business ventures beyond the foundation are not fully public (Washington Post).
- The exact number of charter schools currently operating in the Agassi network is not independently verified.
Quotes
I wore a hairpiece for years because I was terrified of being seen as less than perfect.
— Andre Agassi, from Open (as paraphrased by The Guardian)
Andre was emotionally distant and I felt alone in the marriage.
— Brooke Shields, in interviews and her memoir (as reported by The Washington Post)
Summary
Andre Agassi’s legacy is no longer defined solely by his 8 Grand Slam titles or his comeback story. It belongs to the classrooms of Las Vegas and the charter schools financed by his foundation. Agassi found his meaning off the court, and his schools are the proof.
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Frequently asked questions
How many Grand Slams did Andre Agassi win?
Andre Agassi won 8 Grand Slam singles titles during his career.
Who is Andre Agassi’s wife?
Agassi is married to Steffi Graf, a former world No. 1 tennis player. They wed in 2001.
How many children does Andre Agassi have?
He and Steffi Graf have two children: son Jaden Gil (born 2001) and daughter Jaz Elle (born 2003).
How old is Andre Agassi?
Born April 29, 1970, Agassi is 55 years old as of 2025.
Is Andre Agassi still involved in tennis?
Agassi no longer competes professionally but occasionally participates in exhibition matches and mentors young players.
What is the Andre Agassi Foundation?
The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, founded in 1994, raises funds for charter schools and educational programs for underserved children. It has raised over $177 million.
Did Andre Agassi and Barbra Streisand date?
Rumors of a relationship circulated in the 1990s, but neither party has confirmed a romantic involvement. Agassi’s autobiography does not mention a relationship with Streisand.
What is Andre Agassi’s height?
Andre Agassi is 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) tall.
For more on tennis careers beyond the court, read about Alex Eala: Biography, Career, Ranking, Prize Money & More or explore the legacy of Babe Ruth: Biography, Stats, and Lasting Legacy.



