In May 2026, speaking on the BBC on the night of the World Championship final, Stephen Hendry urged snooker to stay in Sheffield during the planned Crucible revamp, calling it "cruel" to take the event away.
Hendry ruled the 1990s, became the youngest world champion in history and set standards a generation chased. Shop his designs in our snooker collection.
Stephen Hendry Fact File
| Full name | Stephen Gordon Hendry MBE |
| Date of birth | 13 January 1969 (age 57) |
| Place of birth | St Leonard's, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Discipline | Professional snooker (turned pro in 1985, aged 16) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Current status | Retired (2012, and again in 2024); pundit and YouTube host |
| Nickname | The King of the Crucible; the Golden Bairn |
Career History
| Years | Period | Key moments |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 to 1989 | Rising star | Turned pro at 16; 1987 Grand Prix; 1989 Masters and UK titles |
| 1990 to 1999 | The Hendry era | Seven world titles; world number one 1990 to 1998 |
| 2000 to 2012 | Elder statesman | 2002 world final; number one again in 2006-07; retired 2012 |
| 2020 to 2024 | Comeback | Invitational tour card; 3 wins from 20 matches |
Career totals in professional competition (36 ranking titles, 777 centuries, 11 maximums), from Wikipedia, TNT Sports and snooker.org, as of October 2026.
Early Years: A Christmas Present That Changed Snooker
Hendry was born in Edinburgh and spent much of his childhood in Dalgety Bay in Fife. His parents gave him a miniature table for Christmas in 1981, when he was 12, and in 1985 he turned professional aged just 16, guided by manager Ian Doyle.
In 1987 he won his first ranking title at the Grand Prix, beating Dennis Taylor 10-7. By 1989 he had added the Masters and the UK Championship.
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Breakthrough: The Youngest World Champion
In 1990 Hendry beat Jimmy White 18-12 to become world champion at 21 years and 106 days, still the record. That season he also won the Masters and the UK Championship, sweeping the Triple Crown.
He became world number one in 1990 and stayed there until 1998. Where others played safe, Hendry attacked, and his break-building style shaped a generation.
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Peak Years: Ruling the Crucible
In the 1992 final, trailing White 8-14, Hendry won ten frames in a row to win 18-14. He beat White again in 1993 and 18-17 in 1994. Wins over Nigel Bond in 1995 and Peter Ebdon in 1996 made it five in a row, and he beat Mark Williams in 1999 for a seventh world crown.
He made a 147 against White in the 1995 semi-final, collected 18 Triple Crown titles and was awarded an MBE in 1993. He lost finals to Ken Doherty in 1997 and Ebdon in 2002.
Pay tribute to seven world titles with our Stephen Hendry Men's Hoodie.
Later Career: Retirement and a Comeback
At the 2012 Crucible he made a 147 against Stuart Bingham, then announced his retirement aged 43 after losing 13-2 to Stephen Maguire.
In September 2020 he accepted an invitational tour card, returning at the 2021 Gibraltar Open and beating Jimmy White 6-3 in World Championship qualifying that April. He won three of 20 professional matches. In June 2024 he declined a further two-year card, admitting that "the body is not performing like my brain wants it to."
Honours
World Championship
- Winner: 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999
- Runner-up: 1997, 2002
Masters and UK Championship
- Masters: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996
- UK Championship: 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996
Records and Recognition
- 36 ranking titles
- Youngest world champion (21 years, 106 days)
- 777 competitive centuries and 11 maximum breaks
- MBE (1993)
Away From the Table
Since 2012 Hendry has been a regular BBC snooker pundit. In 2022 he launched his Cue Tips YouTube channel, mixing coaching and player interviews. His autobiography, Me and the Table, came out in 2018.
FAQs
How old is Stephen Hendry?
Stephen Hendry was born on 13 January 1969, so he is 57 years old as of October 2026.
Where was Stephen Hendry born?
He was born in St Leonard's, Edinburgh, Scotland.
How many world titles did Stephen Hendry win?
He won seven World Championships: 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999.
How many centuries and 147s did Stephen Hendry make?
He made 777 competitive centuries and 11 maximum breaks.
What was Stephen Hendry's greatest moment?
Many fans pick the 1992 final, when he won ten frames in a row to beat Jimmy White from 8-14 down.
Is Stephen Hendry still playing?
No. He retired in 2012, returned in 2020, and stepped away again in June 2024. He now works as a pundit.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Ronnie O'Sullivan Career Story and Phil Taylor Career Story.
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