Who Is Nona Gaprindashvili? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Nona Gaprindashvili was born on May 3, 1941, making her 83 years old as of 2025. She became the first woman to achieve the title of International Grandmaster in 1978, breaking numerous barriers in a male-dominated field. Her groundbreaking achievements opened doors for women in chess and she has won the Women's World Chess Championship multiple times.
For more detailed information, you can visit her Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Chess Player |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 3, 1941 |
| Age | 84 Years |
| Birth Place | Zugdidi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Georgia |
Popularity
Nona Gaprindashvili's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Nona Gaprindashvili stands at an estimated height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm). While her exact weight is not publicly disclosed, her active lifestyle as a chess player and advocate for women in chess suggests that she maintains a healthy figure, focused more on intellect than physical statistics.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Nona Gaprindashvili is known to keep her personal life private. She was previously married and has children, but current information regarding her dating status remains discreet. In interviews, she emphasizes her passion for chess and her commitment to promoting the game rather than discussing her romantic life, leading to speculation about her potential relationships in her later years.
Her family was highly athletic, and the neighborhood children would often gather at the Gaprindashvili's home to play table tennis, billiards, and football. They had her play goalkeeper during their football games because she was the girl of the family.
She first learned to play chess from her father while she was five years old and from watching her brother play. When Gaprindashvili was eleven or twelve, she accompanied her brother to a chess tournament, and when he was unable to play, she played in his stead. Here she was noticed by chess trainer Vakhtang Karseladzé.
Her parents had her live with her aunt in Tbilisi, where she could train with chess Grandmasters beginning in 1954. By 1956, at the age of fourteen, she won the semi-final of the Women's Soviet Union Championship.
Net Worth and Salary
Though precise figures can fluctuate, Nona Gaprindashvili's estimated net worth in 2025 stands around $2 million. Her earnings stem not only from her chess career—including tournament winnings—but also from her work as an author, coach, and speaker. Chess endorsements and participation in various chess-related media have further contributed to her income over the years.
Career, Business, and Investments
Nona Gaprindashvili's career extends beyond the chessboard. She has authored several books on chess strategy and has been involved in coaching, guiding the next generation of chess players. Additionally, she has participated in chess exhibitions and lectures around the world, promoting the game and advocating for women's involvement in sports. Although she has not made significant investments in business, her chess-related activities showcase her as a continuously influential figure in the chess community.
Gaprindashvili began playing chess when she was five years old; in 1954, she moved to Tbilisi to train under Grandmasters. In 1962, she became women's world chess champion by a sweeping victory in a match against the incumbent, Elisaveta Bykova. This won her widespread acclaim throughout Georgia.
She successfully defended her title on four occasions: three times against Alla Kushnir and once against Nana Alexandria. She narrowly lost her title to Maia Chiburdanidze in 1978. Gaprindashvili participated in men's tournaments during her career, including a performance at Lone Pine International which earned her the title of Grandmaster.
She later competed regularly in the Women's World Senior Championship.
Social Network
Nona Gaprindashvili engages with her audience through various social media platforms, where she shares insights about chess and her personal journey. While she might not be a social media influencer in the traditional sense, her presence on platforms like Facebook and Twitter allows her to connect with fans, fellow players, and aspiring chess enthusiasts.
The Netflix series The Queen's Gambit and its story were influenced by Gaprindashvili's life. The show erroneously described her as a Russian chess player who had never competed against men, while in fact she had played against at least 59 men in 1968 alone (including 10 male grandmasters), and is actually from Georgia.
In response, she filed a lawsuit against Netflix for US$5 million for false light, invasion of privacy, and defamation on 16 September 2021. In September 2022, Netflix settled with Gaprindashvili on undisclosed terms.
Education
Nona's education played a crucial role in her chess career. She graduated from Tbilisi State University, where she studied mathematics, a discipline that greatly complements her analytical skills needed for chess. Her academic background not only served her in chess but also in her future endeavors as an intellectual leader advocating for women in chess.
In conclusion, Nona Gaprindashvili's continued influence in the chess world showcases her as both a pioneer and a role model. As she approaches her mid-80s, her contributions to the game and society enrich the legacy she has built over decades.
