Mary Earps, the celebrated English goalkeeper and Paris Saint-Germain star, has stepped into the spotlight for a reason beyond her dazzling saves—she has come forward to publicly share details of her same-sex relationship for the first time. The announcement, made on October 31, 2025, comes just days ahead of the release of her highly anticipated memoir, "All In," scheduled to hit shelves on November 6. For years, Earps kept her private life closely guarded, but now, at 32, she says she feels "ready and happy to share" this part of her journey with the world.
Earps' decision to open up wasn't made lightly. In a heartfelt statement to the BBC, she explained, "I've always tried to keep my personal life separate from my professional one, but it would have felt inauthentic not to include something so important to me in this book. I'm in a really happy relationship. The people closest to me have always known, and I feel ready and happy to share that with everyone else now." The goalkeeper, who recently retired from international duty, has revealed that her partner is named Kitty, marking the first time she has spoken so openly about her personal life.
Her memoir, "All In," promises to be a candid account, not just of her footballing highs and lows, but also of her mental health struggles and the path to embracing her identity. According to her manager, Tina Taylor, Earps wanted to ensure her story was told on her own terms. "By sharing details of her life away from football—something she's never done before—Mary is telling her story in her own way. It's honest and authentic," Taylor told the BBC. She added that Earps hopes her openness will "inspire people around the world to find the confidence to live authentically."
The timing of Earps' announcement is significant. In the world of women's football, she joins a growing number of athletes who are open about their sexuality. The 2023 Women's World Cup saw more than 40 openly lesbian or bisexual players take the field, a stark contrast to the men's game, where the 2022 World Cup featured none. This disparity highlights ongoing cultural differences in football, and Earps' decision to share her story adds another influential voice to the movement for greater acceptance and visibility.
Earps' journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from Nottingham, she was a key figure in England's Lionesses squad, playing a pivotal role in their historic UEFA Women's Euro 2022 victory. As vice captain, she helped lead England to the final of the 2023 Women's World Cup, where the team finished as runners-up to Spain. Her performances between the posts earned her the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2023, an honor she described as "incredible." In May 2024, she was awarded an MBE by Prince William for her services to football, further cementing her status as one of the sport's most respected figures.
But the accolades don't tell the whole story. Earps' career has also been defined by resilience and a commitment to breaking new ground. She spent five successful years at Manchester United, securing an FA Cup victory before making the move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024. Her autobiography promises to chronicle not just her athletic achievements, but also the personal challenges she has faced—including the pressures of being a public figure and the importance of mental health.
In an interview from August 2024, Earps reflected on her role as a trailblazer: "I'm a very ambitious person, a very hard-working person, and I think to try and push boundaries and try and be a pioneer for change, in many ways, is something that I really enjoy doing, and hopefully I can do for the rest of my career." She also emphasized the unique bond and values shared by the Lionesses, noting, "As Lionesses, one of the things that really sets us apart from other teams is how strong we are in our values and what we stand for."
The response to Earps' revelation has been overwhelmingly positive. Her former England teammates, including Ella Toone and Alessia Russo, have offered strong support, and LGBTQ+ organizations have praised her courage. Sarah Garrett MBE, founder of the British LGBT Awards, called Earps "a hero and inspirational role model to young women and girls all over the world." Early readers of "All In" have described the memoir as "brilliant" and "inspirational," with many predicting it will become essential reading for young fans aspiring to follow in the Lionesses' footsteps.
Earps' story is not just about personal triumph; it's about the broader impact of representation in sport. In an era where celebrities can increasingly control their own narratives, her choice to share her truth on her own terms sets a powerful example. The challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes, both past and present, are still very real, and Earps' openness may help to encourage others to live authentically, regardless of the pressures they face on or off the pitch.
The memoir also touches on difficult moments in Earps' career and relationships within the game. In "All In," she addresses her professional rivalry with fellow goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, candidly discussing a "misalignment of values" and the challenges of maintaining team harmony. Earps revealed, "I think we had different ideas of what being a teammate should be. I think there was a mismatch, a misalignment, of values." Though she chose not to elaborate on specifics, Earps made it clear that she has since reached out to Hampton to clear the air, stating, "I have messaged her privately to say: ‘Look, no bad blood.’"
Hampton, for her part, has spoken about the difficulties she faced after being dropped from the England squad following Euro 2022, admitting that the setback nearly pushed her to quit football. With support from friends and family, she persevered, and by April 2025, England head coach Sarina Wiegman named Hampton as her first-choice goalkeeper. This decision led to Earps' retirement from international football shortly before Euro 2025, a tournament England would go on to win, defeating Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout.
For Earps, the journey to self-acceptance and public disclosure has been a long one, shaped by both personal and professional experiences. Her story is a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and the enduring impact of role models in sport. As the release of "All In" approaches, anticipation is building—not just among football fans, but among anyone who values honesty, courage, and the drive to make a difference.
With her legacy already secure on the pitch, Mary Earps is now making her mark off it, inspiring the next generation to be unapologetically themselves. Her voice, both in football and beyond, is certain to resonate for years to come.
