Graeme Dott is a name etched into the history of snooker. Known for his tenacity and tactical gameplay, Dott’s legacy includes not just victories on the baize but also personal battles off it. As of 2025, Graeme Dott’s net worth is estimated at around $3 million, accumulated through nearly three decades of professional play, sponsorships, and prize money. While his career boasts major titles, it’s also marked by emotional challenges that threatened to derail his passion for the sport.
Early Passion and Professional Breakthrough
Born on May 12, 1977, in Larkhall, Scotland, Graeme Dott was introduced to snooker at a young age. Despite discouragement from those around him—including a school teacher who scoffed at his dream—Dott remained determined. Choosing the snooker table over school exams, he dedicated himself entirely to the sport.
By the early 1990s, Dott was already making waves. He clinched the UK Under-19 Championship in 1992 and followed it up with the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1993. These early victories paved the way for his professional debut in 1994, setting the stage for a career that would see him rise among snooker’s elite.
The Glory Years: World Champion and Top Ranking
Graeme Dott’s career took a major leap in 2006, when he stunned the snooker world by winning the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre. His path to the title wasn’t easy—he had to defeat big names like Neil Robertson, Ronnie O’Sullivan, and Peter Ebdon to claim the crown.
That victory wasn’t just about silverware. It catapulted Dott into the spotlight and helped him reach a career-high ranking of World No. 2 in 2007. His next title came in the same year at the China Open, where he defeated Jamie Cope in the final.
Overall, Dott has appeared in three World Championship finals (2004, 2006, and 2010) and numerous other tournament finals, including the World Grand Prix, German Masters, and Snooker Shoot Out. Though he has only two ranking titles, his consistency and fighting spirit have earned him immense respect.
Financial Success: Graeme Dott’s Net Worth and Prize Money
Graeme Dott’s income has come primarily from snooker prize money, endorsements, and occasional commentary roles. Though not as high-profile as some of his contemporaries, his earnings have been substantial.
For example, during the 2019–2020 season alone, he earned:
- $53,154 (£40,000) – 2020 World Grand Prix
- $26,577 (£20,000) – 2020 German Masters
- $28,570 (£21,500) – 2019 International Championship
- $19,933 (£15,000) – 2020 World Championship
In 2021, he added another $15,946 (£12,000) from the UK Championship. According to reports from Snooker Database, Dott’s total career earnings exceed $2.3 million (£1.76 million), while his most recent figures from WPBSA place annual earnings near $208,000.
Despite personal and professional setbacks, these numbers place Dott comfortably among snooker’s seasoned earners, contributing to his 2025 net worth of $3 million.
Personal Tragedy and Mental Health Battle
Dott’s journey hasn’t been free of turbulence. In late 2006, not long after his World Championship win, he was devastated by the loss of his long-time mentor and manager, Alex Lambie, who succumbed to terminal kidney cancer.
Lambie wasn’t just a coach—he was like a second father. He had trained Dott from the age of 12 and supported him throughout his rise. His death plunged Dott into a period of severe depression, leading to a 15-match losing streak and a sharp drop in form.
Eventually, with therapy and family support, Dott managed to recover and resume his professional career. He has since been open about his mental health struggles, helping break the stigma around athlete depression.
Love and Family: Married to Childhood Sweetheart
Behind the scenes, Dott’s greatest pillar of strength has been his wife, Elaine Dott, whom he married in 2003. The couple met as teenagers—Elaine is the daughter of his late manager, Alex Lambie—and began dating when she turned 16.
Elaine played a crucial role in helping Graeme through his depression, encouraging him to seek therapy and remain anchored through his darkest days. The pair’s marriage has endured not only professional pressures but also personal trials, including a miscarriage following a cancer scare in Elaine’s early pregnancy.
A Proud Father of Two
Graeme and Elaine are parents to two children—Lewis, born in 2004, and Lucy, born in 2008. While the snooker pro keeps his family life relatively private, he has often spoken about the importance of fatherhood and the grounding influence of home life. His kids, now teenagers, have grown up watching their father play on snooker’s biggest stages and battle back from adversity.
Current Status and Legal Challenges
In 2025, Graeme Dott’s career has been rocked by serious legal allegations of historic child sexual abuse. He has been suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) pending a trial in the High Court of Scotland.
The charges include:
- Alleged abuse of a girl between 1993 and 1996, starting when she was about 10 years old in Glasgow.
- Alleged abuse of a boy between 2006 and 2010 in Lanarkshire, beginning when the child was around seven.
These charges, if proven, could end his snooker career permanently and have a lasting impact on his legacy. The WPBSA and World Snooker Tour have both confirmed his suspension, and he has been withdrawn from the World Championship qualifiers.
