Since retiring from football in 2013, Michael Owen has become a familiar face on television as a sports pundit and commentator, bringing joy to fans who admired him during his playing days. Beyond his media presence, there’s a surprising twist to his post-football career: Owen, the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner, has transitioned into a racehorse breeder and owner. Isn’t that remarkable? Known as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, even legendary footballer Pelé named him in the FIFA 100 player list of the world’s greatest living footballers. But away from the pitch and accolades, there’s an intriguing side to Michael Owen’s life that is less often seen.
Inside Owen’s World: Exploring Michael Owen’s Journey from Football Prodigy to Legend
Preamble:
Owen’s journey into football started early. At the tender age of seven, his father introduced him to the game, quickly recognizing his athletic potential as the brightest in the family. As a young boy, Owen was a devoted Everton fan, but his talent transcended team loyalty. He played for his Deeside Area Primary School’s Under-11 team, where he shattered Ian Rush’s 20-year record by scoring an astonishing 97 goals in a single season.
By the age of 12, as Owen entered secondary school, his football prospects took a serious turn. Now eligible to sign a schoolboy contract, football scouts began to take notice of his incredible ability. Liverpool was the first major club to spot him during his time at Deeside, and his future seemed to be set. Despite being dedicated to his studies—Owen earned ten GCSEs—his passion for football never wavered. He remained resolute in his ambition to become a professional footballer with Liverpool’s youth team.
This biography will delve deeper into the life of Michael Owen, tracing his journey from his early football days to his post-retirement ventures, shedding light on the lesser-known aspects of his life. Now, let’s dive into the full story of this football legend turned racehorse owner.
Michael Owen’s Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, Baby Michael James Owen was born on the 14th day of December 1979 in Chester, United Kingdom.
The childhood years of Michael Owen. Born on December 14th, 1979, in Chester, UK, he embarked on a journey from childhood that would lead him to football stardom.
Michael Owen, born under the sign of Sagittarius, is the fourth child in his family. He is the son of Jeanette and Terry Owen and spent most of his childhood in Hawarden, Wales.
Michael Owen Biography – Early Life in Football:
Michael Owen’s journey into football began at the age of seven, thanks to his father, who recognized his talent and saw him as the most promising athlete in the family. A passionate Everton supporter as a child, Owen attended the famous Rector Drew Primary School, situated in Hawarden, Flintshire, North Wales. By the time he turned ten, his exceptional abilities had already caught the attention of some of the top scouts in the country, who were closely following his progress.
Michael Owen’s Early Years in Career Football. At age seven, the boy’s football talent emerged, and by ten, top scouts were watching the young Everton fan from Flintshire.
Michael Owen quickly became the standout player for the Deeside Area Primary School’s Under-11 team, where he showcased his remarkable talent. During this period, he shattered Ian Rush’s long-standing 20-year record by scoring an astonishing 97 goals in a single season, surpassing Rush’s record by 25 goals. His incredible performance earned him recognition and an award for his exceptional childhood achievement, further cementing his reputation as a rising football star.
Young Michael Owen began collecting awards from an early age.
At the age of 12, Michael Owen began attending secondary school, marking the time when he became eligible to sign a contract (schoolboy type) with a football club. This was also when football scouts started taking serious notice of his talent. Liverpool became the first major club to spot him while he was playing for Deeside, setting the stage for his future professional career.
Road to Fame Story:
In fact, it was Steve Heighway, the Liverpool youth development officer, who wrote to Owen personally. This club’s management had never approached a kid with this much love.
Terry Owen, his father, stated:
“[Steve Heighway] wrote us a wonderful letter, and for Michael, it was love at first sight. The heartfelt message from Liverpool expressed their admiration for him, showing that they had been fond of Owen from the very beginning.”
However, before Owen gave them his signature, he had to finish his GCSE exams, which he also came out at the top of his class. Despite his academic success, his focus never wavered—he was determined that his future lay in a professional football career with Liverpool’s youth team. The rest, as they say, is now history for the National Football Museum Hall of Famer.
Who is Louise Bonsall? Michael Owen’s Wife:
Behind the football legend of the Reds is a glamorous WAG. Michael Owen first met Louise Bonsall in 1984 at Rector Drew Primary School in Hawarden, Clwyd, North Wales, when he was just five years old. Their friendship blossomed as they grew up together, transforming into teenage sweethearts and eventually adult partners.
Owen met his future wife, Louise Bonsall, at Rector Drew Primary in 1984. From childhood friends, they blossomed into lifelong partners.
Louise Bonsall is often referred to as the WAG who would prefer a horse to a handbag. She is a professional horse rider.
Back then, while Michael was a brilliant young footballer, attracting the attention of Premiership scouts from the age of ten, Louise was always horse-mad.
Despite marrying one of the country’s most famous footballers many years ago, Louise Owen is not a stereotypical WAG. You won’t see her falling out of nightclubs, nor does she regard shopping and cosmetic surgery as competitive sports. Her priorities are her family first and her horses second. She and her husband guard their privacy fiercely – in fact, Louise has never before given an interview.
Louise Bonsall and Michael Owen – Wedding and Children:
They became engaged on February 14, 2004, and later exchanged vows on June 24, 2005, at the Carden Park Hotel in Chester, Cheshire. Initially, the couple had planned to hold the ceremony at their home, but they changed their plans upon learning that a marriage licence would require their venue to be available for other weddings for the next three years. Instead, they chose to have an intimate, informal wedding at a registered office, followed by a lavish reception on the grounds of their home the next day.
Louise and Michael, together with their daughter, on their wedding day.
The couple purchased Lower Soughton Manor in Flintshire, North Wales, where Owen keeps his cars, while Louise Bonsall indulges her love for horses.
Their first child, Gemma Rose, was born on May 1, 2003, and was featured in their wedding photo. Owen dedicated an entire chapter to Gemma in his autobiography, “Michael Owen: Off the Record, My Autobiography.”
On February 6, 2006, they welcomed their son, James Michael. Their third child, Emily May, was born on October 29, 2007, followed by their fourth child, Jessica, on February 26, 2010. The family photo captures Owen with his loving family.
Michael Owen Family Life:
Owen comes from a middle-class, happy Welsh family before football investments paid off. Below is a 1998 photo of Owen at home with his family (father, little sister and Andrew his elder brother) in North Wales.
Michael Owen has a total of four siblings: two brothers, Andrew Owen and Terry Junior, and two sisters, Karen Owen and Lesley Partridge.
Among his siblings, Michael was often considered his father’s favourite. His father, Terry Owen, was also a former professional footballer, having played for clubs like Chester City and Everton—ironically, the fierce rivals of Michael’s beloved Liverpool.
Below is a photo of Jeanette Owen (far left), who is the proud mother of Michael Owen.
Michael Owen once purchased an entire street in Ewloe, a neighbourhood near his former home, to provide housing for his extended family.
In 2004, a disturbing incident took place when Michael Owen’s sister, Karen, was assaulted by two youths who attempted to kidnap her. Fortunately, when Karen revealed that she was pregnant, the attackers fled, preventing further harm.
Fortunately, when Karen revealed she was pregnant, the attackers fled the scene. Additionally, Owen has a football connection within the family, as he is the brother-in-law of retired footballer Richie Partridge.
Michael Owen Pilot Training:
When Michael Owen returned to the UK from Real Madrid to join Newcastle United, he demonstrated his wealth by travelling daily to a nearby BAE facility. From there, he would take a helicopter to the club’s training ground, highlighting the extent of his financial success.
A customed helipad was installed within the grounds of Owen’s house and his club to accommodate his lovely helicopter, which he both travels with and also used to train to become a pilot.
Eventually, Newcastle United’s football management prohibited Owen from pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot due to the high insurance premiums associated with it.
Personal Life:
Starting off, Michael Owen has the following attributes to his handsome personality.
Strengths: Without a doubt, he is handsome, generous, idealistic and has a great sense of humour. Let’s not forget that he was a role model to many great Liverpool academy graduates after him. We talk about names like Neco Williams (RB), Conor Bradley (RB) and Curtis Jones (CM).
Weaknesses: He could promise more than he can deliver, is very impatient and will say anything, no matter how undiplomatic.
Sagittarius likes: Owen loves Freedom, travel, philosophy and being outdoors.
Sagittarius dislikes: Owen dislikes clingy people and being constrained.
Above all, he has the ability to transform his thoughts into concrete actions and would do anything to achieve his goals.
Mobility and Horse Man:
In April 2013, Owen, along with former Formula One driver Mark Webber, purchased a minority stake in the social media network Sportlobster.
Owen owns several cars. His love for sports cars was once shown when he and Wayne Rooney enjoyed a driving session back in the year.
Michael Owen has a strong passion for horse racing, which also ties into his interest in gambling. He owns several racehorses that are trained by Tom Dascombe. Among them is Brown Panther, a horse he bred himself, which went on to win a significant race at Royal Ascot in 2011.
Television Personel:
Owen also made an appearance in the children’s television drama Hero to Zero, where he played himself. In the show, he would magically emerge from a life-size poster in the room of a young boy named Charlie Brice to offer guidance and advice during moments of crisis.
Appreciation Note:
Thank you for taking the time to read Michael Owen’s childhood and biography. We always aim for accuracy and fairness when sharing the stories of legendary footballers, just as we’ve done for icons like Thierry Henry and Roy Keane. If you notice anything in this article about the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner that doesn’t seem right, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to us!
