Christopher Bryan Moneymaker, widely recognized as Chris Moneymaker, is an American professional poker player best known for winning the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Prior to his rise to poker stardom, Moneymaker worked as an accountant in Tennessee. His unexpected victory in 2003 played a pivotal role in igniting the "poker boom," showcasing the potential for amateur players to achieve success on the global stage.
Moneymaker entered the 2003 WSOP Main Event via a $39 satellite tournament on PokerStars, an online poker platform. His triumph, which earned him $2.5 million, was groundbreaking—not only because he was a relative unknown, but also because it illustrated how online platforms could serve as gateways to professional poker. His win significantly influenced the popularity of online poker and inspired a new era of players worldwide.
Chris Moneymaker was first married before his rise to fame. The couple welcomed a daughter in early 2003, approximately three months prior to his WSOP victory. However, shortly after his championship win, his marriage began to experience strain. According to Chris, the drastic lifestyle change—from a home-based accountant to an internationally traveling poker player—created irreconcilable differences. Despite attempts to revert to his previous occupation for the sake of the marriage, he ultimately found it unsustainable. The couple divorced in 2004.
After the divorce, Moneymaker maintained limited contact with his daughter from his first marriage. He has stated that, for her well-being, it was best for her to remain with her stepfather. Despite the distance, he has expressed a continued desire for his daughter’s happiness and stability.
In 2005, Moneymaker married Christina Wren, and the couple has three children together. They reside in Tennessee. Information on their relationship has been relatively private, and Chris has generally refrained from publicly discussing aspects of his personal life beyond his known marital transitions.
Following Moneymaker’s first divorce, rumors circulated regarding the possibility of infidelity prior to his WSOP success. These claims included allegations of a secret romantic relationship and a potential pregnancy, which some speculated played a role in his separation. However, no verifiable evidence has surfaced to confirm these assertions. Additionally, it is unclear whether Christina was involved in any of these rumors. Moneymaker has chosen not to publicly address or elaborate on these speculations.
Immediately after his 2003 WSOP win, Moneymaker stated in interviews that he had no plans to become a full-time poker player and wished to return to accounting and spend more time with his family. However, he ultimately pursued a poker career, leaving both his job and previous domestic life behind. Although he experienced initial popularity and endorsement opportunities, his long-term poker career faced challenges, including significant losses. Over time, he reduced his professional poker involvement but remained an influential figure in the community.
Reports have surfaced over the years suggesting difficulties in Moneymaker’s second marriage to Christina. He publicly shared at one point that he was separating from his wife. Shortly afterward, however, he mentioned intentions to reconcile, citing his strong affection for their daughter as a central motivation. Neither Christina nor his ex-wife have publicly commented on these private matters, and Chris has remained relatively quiet about his family life beyond acknowledging his divorces.
| Birth Date: | 21 Nov, 1975 |
| Age: | 44 yrs |
| Occupations: | Poker player Writer Accountant |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Atlanta |
| Education: | Farragut High School University of Tennessee |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American poker player |
| Net Worth 2021: | 16 million |
