Who Is Elena Delle Donne? Age, Biography and Wiki
Elena Delle Donne was born on September 5, 1989, making her 35 years old in 2025. She hails from Wilmington, Delaware, where she showcased her exceptional talent in basketball from an early age. Delle Donne gained national attention during her collegiate career at the University of Delaware, where she became a standout player, earning numerous accolades. After being drafted by the Chicago Sky as the second overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, she has made a significant impact in the league and continues to be a leading figure in women's basketball.
| Occupation | Basketball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 5, 1989 |
| Age | 35 Years |
| Birth Place | Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Elena Delle Donne's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Elena Delle Donne stands tall at 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) and has maintained a weight of around 165 pounds (75 kg) throughout her professional career. Her impressive height and athletic build give her a remarkable presence on the court, contributing to her success as a forward. Her body measurements are well-suited for the demands of professional basketball, allowing her to perform at the highest level.
"She's 6–2 and my dad is 6–6, so she understood. She was like, 'I'm telling you, one day you are going to realize how beautiful your height is.' She would always tell me how unique I am and say, 'Why try to be like the rest of the pack? Be your own person.'"
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Elena Delle Donne is happily married to Amanda Clifton, whom she wed in 2017. The couple has been a source of mutual support, with Amanda often seen cheering for Elena from the sidelines. Delle Donne has shared her journey of love and partnership openly, providing fans with glimpses into their life together. The two are dedicated to living a fulfilling life, both personally and professionally.
Delle Donne inherited her 6 ft height from both her parents—her father, who played college golf, is 6 ft, and her mother is 6 ft. Her childhood was marked by a struggle to come to terms with her unusual height.
According to a 2016 ESPN story, her first memory was going on a shopping trip when she was three years old and hearing other shoppers tell her mother that an 8-year-old should not be using a pacifier.
In third grade, her class was assigned to measure themselves using lengths of paper; she was "humiliated" when her paper extended well beyond those of her classmates. Within two years of that incident, a doctor wanted to start her on injections to stunt her growth; her mother refused. By the time she was in eighth grade, she was already 6 ft.
In another 2016 ESPN story, Delle Donne credits her mother with helping her accept her height:
Net Worth and Salary
Elena Delle Donne's net worth is estimated to be around $3 million in 2025. Her earnings come not only from her WNBA salary but also from various endorsements and partnerships. Reports indicate that she earns a significant salary as one of the top players in the league, and her deal with the Washington Mystics includes a lucrative contract. Additionally, her presence in the sporting world has attracted lucrative sponsorships, elevating her financial standing.
In 2020, Delle Donne opted to sit out the entire season due to health concerns and preexisting risk factors with the COVID-19 pandemic.
She had been denied medical opt out by the league despite recommendation by her physician to not play in the bubble to avoid any risk of exposure to the virus; however, the Mystics were able to resolve the issue and decided to pay Delle Donne her full salary for the season while being absent.
Without Delle Donne and less of her supporting cast, the Mystics struggled to defend their title as they barely made the playoffs as the number 8 seed with a 9–13 record in the shortened 22-game season; they lost 85–84 to the Phoenix Mercury in the first round elimination game. Delle Donne was limited to three games during the 2021 WNBA season.
During that season, she was named to The W25 as one of the top 25 players of the league's first 25 years.
Career, Business and Investments
Throughout her career, Delle Donne has been a trailblazer for women in sports. As of 2025, she continues to play a vital role with the Washington Mystics, where she has earned multiple All-Star selections and MVP honors. Beyond basketball, she has shown a keen interest in business and entrepreneurship. In recent years, Delle Donne has launched various health and wellness initiatives and is involved in philanthropic efforts aimed at improving the lives of others, especially in the sports community.
Delle Donne has won two WNBA Most Valuable Player Awards (2015, 2019), been selected to seven All-Star teams, and was the first WNBA player to join the 50–40–90 club. She was named to The W25, the league's list of the top 25 players of its first 25 years, in 2021. She is the all-time leader in WNBA career free throw percentage with a mark of 93.7%.
Social Network
Delle Donne is highly active on social media, where she maintains a strong presence across platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. With millions of followers, she uses her social media accounts not just to share her professional journey but also to promote fitness, healthy living, and advocacy for women’s sports.
Following an outstanding prep career during which she became the most highly touted women's basketball recruit since Candace Parker, Delle Donne received a basketball scholarship from the University of Connecticut. However, in early June 2008, Delle Donne abruptly dropped out of Connecticut's summer school program after just two days.
Delle Donne was very close to her family, especially her older sister, Lizzie, who has cerebral palsy and is blind and deaf. She was not ready to be separated from her family. Gene, Elena's brother and the middle child of the Delle Donne family, stated in a 2012 ESPN story on his younger sister:
Education
Elena Delle Donne attended the University of Delaware, where she earned her degree in sports management. Her college education provided her with not only the skills needed for her basketball career but also the knowledge to navigate the business side of sports successfully. Her commitment to education is evident in her ongoing efforts to inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams.
Elena Delle Donne (born September 5, 1989) is an American former professional basketball player for 10 seasons as a member of the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky. Delle Donne played college basketball for the Delaware Blue Hens from 2009 to 2013.
She was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the second overall pick of the 2013 WNBA draft, and led the Sky to the 2014 WNBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Phoenix Mercury. Delle Donne was traded to the Washington Mystics in 2017 and led them to their first WNBA championship in 2019.
