MICHAEL Owen is one of England’s greatest ever strikers, and away from the pitch he’s a father of four.
The Ballon d’Or winner has let cameras into the family home for a new Amazon Prime Video series – here’s everything we know about the Owens.
Michael Owen with his daughter Gemma before she rode Turbo Trotter to fourth place in the Magnolia Cup at the 2026 Goodwood Festival Credit: Getty
All the former striker’s kids feature in Meet the Owens Credit: Amazon Prime Video Sport
How many children does Michael Owen have?
Michael Owen has four children with his wife, Louise Bonsall, all of whom feature in new docuseries, Meet the Owens.
Eldest daughter Gemma Rose was born on May 1, 2003, followed by son James Michael on February 6, 2006.
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Emily May arrived in October 2007, and youngest daughter Jessica came into the world in February 2010.
Gemma, 23, became a household name in her own right after entering the Love Island villa in 2022, finishing as a runner-up alongside Luca Bish.
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She also competed internationally in dressage for Great Britain from the age of 11.
Gemma now works as an influencer with millions of followers on social media, and also runs her own swimwear line.
She still rides horses, and last month, she made her jockey debut in the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood, finishing fourth on Turbo Trotter from her dad’s Manor House Stables.
She managed the feat just a week after a nasty fall in training left her with minor injuries.
Gemma told Racing TV: “Prep’s been… It’s been intense. Not going to lie, I had a fall a week ago today, and yeah…
“A bit sore, bruises, but nothing’s broken so the show goes on.”
James was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, an inherited condition that destroys central vision and has no cure, at the age of eight.
In 2019, Michael revealed that his son is clinically blind, telling The Times: “He will never be a footballer. My son’s got an eye condition.
“I’ve never said this. I don’t want a big headline. Clinically, he’s blind.
“He’s got Stargardt disease, a degeneration of his retina. I used to go and watch him and bollock him about his positioning.
Michael and his son James in Paris Credit: Instagram @themichaelowen
“He can’t see the ball until it’s five yards away. As much as every father wants their son to play, it is almost a relief to me.
“Everyone always asks, ‘Is he going to be a footballer?’ and then I stand on the side of the pitch and hear, ‘He’s not as good as his dad.’”
James now wants to join the family racing business.
Emily is aiming to become the first Owen to go to university, while Jessica has her sights on becoming an Olympic showjumper.
Gemma became an ambassador for the charity Fight for Sight in 2023, citing her brother’s diagnosis.
Who is Michael Owen’s wife?
Michael is married to childhood sweetheart Louise, who works with horses.
The pair met in primary school in 1984 and became a couple at Hawarden High School in Flintshire, Wales.
He proposed at their home on Valentine’s Day – which is also Louise’s birthday – in 2004, and they married the following year.
Michael and his wife Louise Bonsall on Ladies Day at Glorious Goodwood 2026 Credit: Getty
In 2004, Louise suffered a serious riding accident and spent three weeks in the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Her back was broken in two places, and her hip and pelvis were also broken in five places.
After the accident, she decided to change her professional focus – instead of training dressage horses, she moved into rehabilitating horses and is an ambassador of the British Thoroughbred Retraining Centre.
What is Meet the Owens about?
The six-part series follows a year in the Owens’ lives, both at home and at Manor House Stables in Cheshire as the family run their racing business.
An insider said: “Michael’s life in horse racing is a world away from his football career and fans will see him swapping big stadiums for stables and all the hard graft that goes with being a racehorse owner.
“All the family is starring in the show, not least Gemma who, since starring on Love Island in 2022, has been balancing life in the public eye as an influencer with over 4million followers alongside her equestrian career, swimwear and brand deals.
“It’s set to be a hilarious and heartfelt look at a family who are juggling ambition and fame in public, as well as navigating a normal family life in private and all that comes with having to live up to a famous name.”
All six episodes land on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, August 28.
