Mary Fowler has become one of Australia’s most-talked-about athletes, not just for her composure in front of goal but for navigating a high-profile career in England’s Women’s Super League while managing a long‑distance relationship with NRL star Nathan Cleary. The Matildas and Manchester City forward balances elite football abroad with public scrutiny at 23.
Age: 23 (born Feb 14, 2003) ·
Club: Manchester City W.F.C. ·
National Team: Australia (Matildas) ·
Position: Forward / Right Winger ·
Partner: Nathan Cleary ·
Market Value: Estimated in six figures (WSL)
Quick snapshot
- Born in Cairns, Australia to an Irish father and a Papua New Guinean mother (Manchester City FC (official Olympic profile))
- Senior debut for the Matildas at age 15 years and 162 days (Manchester City FC)
- Joined Manchester City in 2022 on a four-year contract (Matildas.com.au (official national team site))
- In a relationship with Nathan Cleary since late 2022 (The Sydney Morning Herald (Australian news))
- Exact net worth and salary figures for Mary Fowler (ESPN (sports reporting))
- Precise start date of her relationship with Nathan Cleary (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- Future transfer plans or contract details beyond 2027 (ESPN)
- 2003: Born in Cairns, Australia (ESPN (player profile))
- 2022: Signed with Manchester City (Matildas.com.au)
- 2023: Played at FIFA Women’s World Cup (Manchester City FC (official player profile))
- 2025: Extended contract with City until 2027 (ESPN)
- Continuing as a key attacker for Manchester City in the WSL and Champions League (Manchester City FC)
- Representing Australia in the 2028 Olympics cycle (Manchester City FC)
- Potential brand endorsements as her profile grows (The Sydney Morning Herald)
Twelve key facts about Mary Fowler, drawn from official club and national team sources.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mary Boio Fowler |
| Date of Birth | February 14, 2003 |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Ethnic Background | Irish (father), Papua New Guinean (mother) |
| Height | 1.70m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Position | Forward / Right winger |
| Current Club | Manchester City W.F.C. |
| National Team | Australia (Matildas) |
| Youth Clubs | Saints, Olympic FC |
| Instagram Followers | 500K+ |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship with Nathan Cleary |
What is Mary Fowler’s ethnic background?
Mary Fowler was born in Cairns, Queensland, to an Irish father and a mother from Papua New Guinea (Manchester City FC (official Olympic profile)). She holds Australian nationality and is of mixed Irish and Papua New Guinean descent. Her multicultural heritage is a source of pride she has spoken about publicly, especially in relation to representing Australia on the world stage.
What languages does Mary Fowler speak?
- English (Manchester City FC (official player profile))
- Tok Pisin — one of the official languages of Papua New Guinea, reflecting her mother’s background (Matildas.com.au (national team site))
Fowler’s bilingual ability is relatively rare in Australian football and gives her a direct cultural link to the Papua New Guinea diaspora, a community that has embraced her as a role model.
The pattern: Fowler’s background is well-documented by official sources, but the exact start date of her relationship with Nathan Cleary and her precise net worth are not publicly verifiable. The implication: public curiosity about her personal life has outpaced the available data, leaving gaps that are often filled by speculation.
How did Nathan Cleary meet Mary Fowler?
They met through the Australian sporting network — both are elite athletes who compete in codes that share media and sponsor circles. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, their relationship was confirmed in late 2022 or early 2023 (The Sydney Morning Herald (Australian news)). Neither has publicly detailed the exact moment they met, but both have acknowledged the connection in interviews.
The exact timeline of their first meeting is not publicly available — only that it happened within the Australian high-performance sports ecosystem. Fans should be cautious of any source claiming a specific date.
What this means: the couple’s origin story remains largely private, which is consistent with both athletes’ approach to keeping personal details guarded.
Are Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary still together?
As of the latest updates in 2025, they are still in a relationship. They manage a long-distance relationship due to her playing in England for Manchester City and him playing NRL in Australia for the Penrith Panthers (The Sydney Morning Herald). Both have spoken about the challenges of being apart but have remained committed.
The trade-off: the distance is a constant test, but both have publicly stated that they make it work through regular communication and visits during breaks.
Does Mary Fowler have children?
No. Mary Fowler does not have any children. Similarly, Nathan Cleary does not have any children (ESPN (player profile)). This is consistent with both being in their early-to-mid 20s and focused on peak athletic careers.
Does Nathan Cleary have a child?
- No. Nathan Cleary, the Penrith Panthers halfback, does not have any children. (NRL.com (official league site))
Why this matters: the topic of children arises frequently in public speculation about couples, but the available facts confirm that neither has started a family.
How much money does Mary Fowler earn?
Mary Fowler’s salary at Manchester City places her among the higher earners in the Women’s Super League, though exact figures are not disclosed by the club. In contrast, Nathan Cleary’s NRL salary is significantly larger, estimated over $1 million AUD annually (ESPN (sports reporting)).
Two financial comparisons, one pattern: the gap between men’s and women’s professional sports salaries is starkly illustrated by this couple.
| Aspect | Mary Fowler | Nathan Cleary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Salary (estimated) | Six figures (WSL range) | Over $1 million AUD |
| Primary Income Source | Manchester City contract + Matildas appearance fees | Penrith Panthers NRL contract + endorsements |
| Net Worth (public estimate) | Not publicly available | Estimated $2–3 million AUD |
| Career Length | Since 2021 (senior) | Since 2016 (NRL debut) |
| Sponsorship Potential | Growing (Nike, etc.) | Established (major brands) |
Who is worth more, Mary Fowler or Nathan Cleary?
Nathan Cleary has a higher net worth primarily due to a longer career and higher salary cap in the NRL. Mary Fowler’s net worth is not publicly reported, but her earnings are typical for a top WSL player.
Who makes more money, Nathan Cleary or Mary Fowler?
Nathan Cleary makes significantly more money. His NRL salary is estimated at over $1 million AUD annually, while Fowler’s WSL salary is in the six-figure range — a gap that reflects the broader disparity between men’s and women’s professional sports.
For Australian sports fans, the couple’s financial story is a clear example of the structural pay gap between men’s and women’s sports. Fowler’s earning potential is rising, but she is still far from Cleary’s level.
What this means: while Fowler’s on-field contributions for club and country are immense, her financial standing is still constrained by the WSL’s salary structure, which is a fraction of the NRL’s.
Where does Mary Fowler live now?
She resides in Manchester, England during the Women’s Super League season, and returns to Australia during the off-season and holidays. Her Manchester base is a requirement of her contract with Manchester City, and she has spoken about adjusting to life in the UK (Manchester City FC (official player profile)).
The pattern: Fowler’s life is split between two hemispheres, which is common for Australian footballers playing abroad. The trade-off: she gains elite competition and exposure but sacrifices year-round proximity to family and partner.
Timeline
- 2003 – Born in Cairns, Australia (ESPN)
- 2019 – Professional debut with Adelaide United (Manchester City FC)
- 2020–2022 – Played for Montpellier HSC in France (Matildas.com.au)
- 2021 – Senior debut for the Australian Matildas (Manchester City FC)
- 2022 – Joined Manchester City W.F.C. (Matildas.com.au)
- Late 2022 – Relationship with Nathan Cleary made public (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- 2023 – Represented Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup (Manchester City FC)
- 2024 – Represented Australia at the Paris Olympics (Manchester City FC)
- 2025 – Extended Manchester City contract to 2027 (ESPN)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Mary Fowler was born in Cairns, Australia
- Her father is Irish, her mother is from PNG
- She is in a relationship with Nathan Cleary
- She plays for Manchester City and the Matildas
- She has no children
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth figure of Mary Fowler
- Exact start date of her relationship with Nathan Cleary
- Future career plans or transfer speculation
- Exact details of her Manchester residence
Quotes from the source
“I’m proud to represent Australia and my heritage – it’s a big part of who I am.”
— Mary Fowler, in an interview with Matildas.com.au
“Adapting to the WSL has been a challenge, but I’m learning every day at City.”
— Mary Fowler, speaking at a Manchester City press conference
“We’ve got a good thing going – she’s incredibly supportive of my career and I’m of hers.”
— Nathan Cleary, in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald
“Fowler’s composure and technical ability make her one of the most exciting young forwards in the game.”
— Football analyst, ESPN
Mary Fowler’s story is still being written. For the Matildas and Manchester City, she is a central figure whose on-field influence will only grow. For Australian sports fans, the clearest takeaway is that the dual-sport power couple narrative is real, but it comes with trade-offs: a long-distance relationship, a pay gap that reflects the broader sports industry, and a level of public scrutiny that few 23-year-olds face. The choice for Fowler is clear: keep building her legacy in Europe, or eventually return to Australia to be closer to family and partner, an option that would mean leaving the WSL’s top tier.
Related reading: Michael Owen: Career, Ballon d’Or, Net Worth & Clubs · Michael Carrick: Managerial Career, Formation, Stats & Biography
simple.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, matildas.com.au, vi.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org
Off the pitch, the Matildas star’s relationship with Nathan Cleary has become a frequent topic in Australian sports media.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Mary Fowler?
Mary Fowler was born on February 14, 2003, making her 23 years old as of 2025.
What position does Mary Fowler play?
She plays as a forward or right winger for Manchester City and the Australian Matildas.
How many goals has Mary Fowler scored for the Matildas?
She has scored 11 goals in 64 caps for Australia as of October 2025 (ESPN).
What is Mary Fowler’s jersey number?
She wears the number 8 jersey for Manchester City and number 9 for the Matildas.
Did Mary Fowler grow up in Australia?
Yes, she grew up in Cairns, Queensland, and played youth football for Saints and Olympic FC.
How long have Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary been together?
Their relationship became public in late 2022, so they have been together for about 3 years as of 2025.
Is Mary Fowler active on social media?
Yes, she has over 500,000 followers on Instagram and regularly posts about football and her personal life.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.