Who Is Lee Sedol? Age, Biography and Wiki
Lee Sedol, born on March 2, 1983, is a renowned South Korean professional Go player, best known for his exceptional skills in this ancient board game. As of 2025, Lee Sedol is 42 years old and continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest Go players of all time. His fame skyrocketed after his historic match against the AI program AlphaGo in 2016, where he famously won one game, highlighting the intricate depth of human strategy in Go.
| Occupation | Sports |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 2, 1983 |
| Age | 42 Years |
| Birth Place | Sinan County, South Jeolla, South Korea |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | South Korea |
Popularity
Lee Sedol's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Lee Sedol's height and weight are less documented in the public domain, he is recognized for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which is crucial for the mental stamina required in high-level Go competitions.
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 150 lbs (68 kg)
- Measurements: Well-balanced physique, as Go players often require focuses more on mental agility than physical appearance.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Lee Sedol is known to be private about his personal life, including relationships. There have been no confirmed reports regarding a romantic partner or wife. His dedication to Go and his career have led him to keep his family life away from the spotlight, focusing instead on his competitive and strategic pursuits within the realm of Go.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Lee Sedol's estimated net worth is approximately $10 million. This wealth stems from his successful career as a Go player, including tournament winnings, endorsements, and speaking engagements after his pivotal matches against AI. His annual salary varies depending on the number of tournaments and events in which he participates, but he is considered one of the highest earners in the Go community.
Career, Business and Investments
Lee Sedol's career took off when he became one of the youngest professional Go players at the age of 12. Over the years, he has amassed numerous titles, including 18 international championships. Since his retirement from competitive Go in 2019, he has shifted his focus towards mentorship and promoting the game. He has also invested in various online Go platforms and educational ventures that aim to spread the popularity of Go to a younger audience.
Starting 9 March 2016, Lee played a five-game match, broadcast live, against the computer program AlphaGo, developed by a London-based artificial intelligence firm Google DeepMind, for a $1 million match prize.
He said “I have heard that Google DeepMind’s AI is surprisingly strong and getting stronger, but I am confident that I can win at least this time”.
In an interview with Sohn Suk-hee of JTBC Newsroom on 22 February 2016, he showed confidence in his chances again, while saying that even beating AlphaGo by 4–1 may allow the Google DeepMind team to claim its de facto victory and the defeat of him, or even humanity.
In this interview he pointed out the time rule in this match, which seems well-balanced so that both he and the AI would fairly undergo time pressure. In another interview at Yonhap News, Lee Se-dol said that he was confident of beating AlphaGo by a score of 5–0, at least 4–1 and accepted the challenge in only five minutes.
He also stated "Of course, there would have been many updates in the last four or five months, but that isn’t enough time to challenge me".
Social Network
Lee Sedol engages with his fans mainly through social media, where he shares insights on Go strategies and occasional personal updates. He has an active presence on platforms like:
- Twitter: @LeeSedol
- Instagram: @LeeSedol (not verified)
- Facebook: Lee Sedol Official
After his fourth-match victory, Lee was overjoyed: "I don't think I've ever felt so good after winning just one match. I remember when I said I will win all or lose just one game in the beginning. If this had really happened ― I won 3 rounds and lost this round ― it would have had a great bearing on my reputation.
However, since I won after losing 3 games in a row, I am so happy. I will never exchange this win for anything in the world." He added: "I, Lee Se-dol, lost, but mankind did not." After the last match, however, Lee was saddened: "I failed. I feel sorry that the match is over and it ended like this.
I wanted it to end well." He also confessed that "As a professional Go player, I never want to play this kind of match again. I endured the match because I accepted it."
Education
Lee Sedol was trained rigorously in the game of Go from a young age, starting as a primary student. While he did not pursue a traditional academic path extensively due to his commitment to Go, his experiences have furnished him with profound strategic thinking skills, enhancing his overall understanding of competitive play.
In conclusion, Lee Sedol's stature in the world of Go remains influential, and his continued involvement in the game as a mentor and innovator promises exciting developments for enthusiasts and aspiring players alike in the years to come.
