Phil Taylor, also known as “The Power”, is considered the best darts player in history.
In a career that spanned three decades, Taylor won an unprecedented 16 world championships and more than 200 professional tournament titles.
His consistency and dominance in the sport transformed darts, taking its popularity to new heights.
Taylor’s success, particularly with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), made him a sporting icon both in the UK and internationally.
contour
- Full name: Philip Douglas Taylor
- Date of birth: August 13, 1960
- Age: 64 years old
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
- Nationality: British
- Occupation: Professional darts player (retired)
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm)
- Parents: Doug Taylor (father), Liz Taylor (mother)
- Siblings: Christopher Taylor, Liz Taylor (sister)
- Spouse: Divorced (formerly married to Yvonne Taylor)
- Children: Lisa Taylor, Chris Taylor, Kelly Taylor, Natalie Taylor
- Relationship status: Single
- Religion: Christianity
- Ethnicity: White British
- Net worth: $10 million
early life and education
Phil Taylor was born on August 13, 1960 in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. He is 64 years old. He grew up in a working-class family; his father, Doug Taylor, was a sheet metal worker, and his mother, Liz Taylor, was a homemaker.
Taylor attended local school in Stoke-on-Trent but gave up formal education at the age of 16 to work in various jobs, including making ceramic toilet paper handles. When Taylor was in his mid-twenties, his darts career began to take shape.
He started playing darts in local pubs and showed promise in the sport. Taylor, who grew up as a Christian, has deep links with his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, where he built his life and career.
personal life
Phil Taylor has had his share of ups and downs in his personal life. He was married to Yvonne Taylor for nearly thirty years before divorcing in 2016. They have four children: Lisa, Chris, Kelly and Natalie Taylor.
Following her divorce from Yvonne, Taylor was rumored to have been dating fitness trainer Laura Church, although neither has publicly confirmed the relationship. Today, Taylor spends more time with her grandchildren and enjoys a more private life away from the spotlight.
Profession
Phil Taylor’s darts career officially began in the late 1980s when he was mentored by darts legend Eric Bristow. Taylor won his first world title in 1990 and quickly established himself as a dominant player in the sport.
Throughout his career, he won a record 16 world championships, including eight consecutive titles between 1995 and 2002, setting an almost unparalleled standard for the sport of darts.
Taylor’s career was filled with extraordinary achievements, including completing a perfect nine-dart match on television 11 times. He also played a major role in the rise of the PDC, helping darts become mainstream.
Throughout his career, Taylor set numerous records, including 85 Grand Slam titles, more than any other player in history. He was known for his fierce rivalries with other top players such as Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen, adding to his legendary status.
Taylor retired after losing to Rob Cross in the 2018 World Darts Championship final. Although his retirement marked the end of an era, Taylor continued to be involved in the sport of darts, attending occasional exhibitions and providing commentary for major events.
Awards
- 16-time World Darts Champion (1990, 1992, 1995–2002, 2004–2006, 2009, 2010, 2013)
- 85 major darts titles
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year (runner-up 2010)
- PDC Player of the Year (2006, 2008-2012)
- PDC Hall of Fame Inductee (2011)
net worth
As of 2024, Phil Taylor’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million. Taylor made his fortune through his extraordinary darts career, winning major tournaments and receiving handsome prize money. Endorsement deals and sponsorships have boosted his income.
dispute
Phil Taylor’s illustrious career was not without controversy. One of the major scandals occurred in 1999 when Taylor was fined £2,000 and given a suspended sentence after being accused of sexually assaulting two women in a caravan.
Taylor denied the accusations, but the incident drew widespread media attention and reputational damage. Despite this, Taylor continues to compete at the highest level in darts and his fans remain loyal.
Another controversial aspect of Taylor’s career was his very public divorce from Yvonne Taylor in 2016. After nearly 30 years of marriage, Taylor gave away several properties and a significant portion of her wealth. The settlement reportedly cost him five homes and £830,000.
Taylor’s fierce competition, particularly with Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen, often resulted in heated moments on stage. While these rivalries contributed to the excitement of the sport, Taylor was sometimes criticized for his aggressive behavior during games.
social media
Instagram: @PhilTaylorOfficial
Twitter: @PhilTaylor
books
- Power: My Autobiography (2014)
- Staying Strong(2003)
