Mark Phillips: Who He Is, Age, Net Worth, Family, Relationships, and the Untold Story of Felicity Tonkin
Mark Phillips is a name that resonates strongly within British sporting history and royal circles alike. Best known as an Olympic gold-medal-winning equestrian and the former husband of Princess Anne, Mark Phillips has lived a life that blends athletic excellence, military discipline, royal association, and personal controversy. Over the decades, public interest in him has remained strong—not only because of his sporting achievements but also due to his complex family life, relationships, and the lesser-known story of his daughter Felicity Tonkin.
This article offers a comprehensive and detailed look into Mark Phillips’ life, covering who he is, his age, net worth, early family background, father and siblings, marriages, children, and his relationship with Felicity Tonkin.
Who Is Mark Phillips?
Mark Phillips is a retired British equestrian, former British Army officer, and Olympic champion. He rose to international fame in the 1970s after representing Great Britain in equestrian eventing and later became a household name following his marriage into the British royal family.
Unlike many who gain prominence solely through royal association, Phillips had already established himself as an elite sportsman before marrying Princess Anne. His career achievements, discipline, and public persona made him one of the most recognizable equestrian figures of his generation.
Mark Phillips Age and Early Life
Mark Phillips was born on 22 September 1948, making him 77 years old as of 2025. He was born in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England, into a family with strong military and aristocratic roots.
From an early age, Phillips was exposed to structured discipline and outdoor pursuits. Horses became central to his life during childhood, laying the foundation for his later success in equestrian sports. His upbringing emphasized duty, resilience, and tradition—values that would follow him into adulthood.
Family Background: Father, Mother, and Siblings
Father
Mark Phillips’ father was Major Peter William Garside Phillips, a decorated British Army officer who served with distinction during World War II. His military service and leadership had a profound influence on Mark’s own decision to pursue a career in the armed forces.
Mother
His mother, Anne Patricia Phillips (née Tiarks), came from a well-connected Anglo-German banking family. Her background added a layer of social prestige to the Phillips family and exposed Mark to upper-class British society from an early age.
Siblings
Mark Phillips had one younger sister, Sarah Anne Staples (née Phillips). While she largely remained out of the public eye, her presence reflects that Mark was raised in a relatively small, close-knit family. Unlike her brother, Sarah did not pursue a public or high-profile career.
Education and Military Career
Phillips was educated at respected British institutions, including Marlborough College, before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, one of the UK’s most prestigious military training centers.
He later served as an officer in the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, a cavalry regiment of the British Army. His military career instilled discipline and physical endurance, traits that translated seamlessly into equestrian competition. He retired from active military service in 1978.
Equestrian Career and Olympic Glory
Mark Phillips’ sporting legacy is firmly cemented in equestrian history. He represented Great Britain in eventing at the highest level and achieved extraordinary success.
His crowning achievement came at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, where he won team gold in eventing. Years later, he added an Olympic team silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Games, demonstrating longevity and consistency rarely seen in elite sports.
Beyond competing, Phillips later worked as an equestrian coach, event designer, and columnist, shaping the sport for future generations.
Marriage to Princess Anne and Royal Life
In 1973, Mark Phillips married Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II. Their wedding at Westminster Abbey was watched by millions worldwide and marked Phillips’ entry into the global spotlight.
Despite marrying into royalty, Phillips famously declined a royal title, choosing to remain a private citizen. This decision meant that their children would also not hold royal titles, a choice that later shaped their independent lives.
The marriage produced two children and initially appeared stable, but cracks began to emerge in the 1980s. The couple officially divorced in 1992 after years of separation.
Mark Phillips Net Worth
Mark Phillips’ estimated net worth ranges between £15 million and £20 million. His wealth comes from a combination of sources, including:
- Olympic prize recognition and sponsorships
- Military pension
- Equestrian training, consultancy, and event design
- Property and private investments
- A reported financial settlement following his divorce
While not among the wealthiest figures connected to royalty, Phillips has maintained a comfortable and affluent lifestyle throughout his life.
Relationships After Divorce
Following his divorce from Princess Anne, Phillips went on to marry Sandy Pflueger, an American Olympic dressage rider. The marriage took place in 1997 and further reflected Phillips’ lifelong immersion in the equestrian world.
The couple later separated in 2012. In subsequent years, Phillips was also linked to other equestrian figures, though he has largely retreated from public romantic attention in recent times.
Mark Phillips and Felicity Tonkin: A Complex Chapter
One of the most talked-about aspects of Mark Phillips’ personal life involves his relationship with Felicity Tonkin, his daughter born outside of marriage.
Felicity Tonkin was born in 1985 in New Zealand to Heather Tonkin, a local art teacher. Her existence remained private for several years until a DNA test in 1991 confirmed Mark Phillips as her biological father.
This revelation became public while Phillips was still married to Princess Anne and is widely believed to have contributed significantly to the breakdown of their marriage.
Felicity Tonkin’s Life and Career
Unlike her royal half-siblings, Felicity Tonkin has lived a life largely away from media attention. She pursued education in equine veterinary science and built a professional career as a veterinarian in New Zealand.
She later married Tristan Wade, a polo player, and the couple has a son. Felicity’s life reflects independence and self-reliance, and she has chosen not to pursue public association with the royal family.
Despite sharing a biological connection with one of Britain’s most famous families, Felicity’s upbringing and lifestyle remain notably private.
Children of Mark Phillips
Mark Phillips is the father of four children from three relationships:
- Peter Phillips – Son with Princess Anne, a businessman and father of two daughters.
- Zara Tindall (née Phillips) – Daughter with Princess Anne, an Olympic equestrian and one of Britain’s most admired sportswomen.
- Felicity Tonkin (Wade) – Daughter from his relationship with Heather Tonkin, an equine veterinarian living in New Zealand.
- Stephanie Phillips – Daughter with Sandy Pflueger, born in 1997.
Together, his children represent a wide range of lifestyles, from royal-adjacent public figures to entirely private professionals.
Relationship With His Children
Phillips has maintained varying levels of contact with his children over the years. His relationship with Peter and Zara has been more visible due to their public profiles, while his connection with Felicity Tonkin has remained discreet and distant.
This contrast highlights the complexity of family dynamics shaped by public scrutiny, geography, and personal choices.
Public Image and Legacy
Mark Phillips occupies a unique space in British history. He is remembered both as an Olympic champion and as a man whose personal life became tabloid material. Despite controversies, his sporting achievements remain respected, and his influence on equestrian sport endures.
He represents a generation of athletes who bridged traditional British values with modern competitive sport, all while navigating extraordinary personal circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Mark Phillips’ life is a story of achievement, discipline, complexity, and contradiction. From Olympic podiums to royal palaces, and from military service to private family struggles, his journey reflects both privilege and personal consequence.
As explored in this article for fanzineblog, Mark Phillips remains a figure of enduring interest—not just for who he married or what titles surrounded him, but for the layered human story behind the headlines.
