Ilona Maher became America’s sweetheart during the 2024 Paris Olympics as she delighted fans with her behind-the-scenes look at the premier sporting event and her hilarious videos about finding love in the Olympic Village.

The 28-year-old plays for the US Rugby Sevens team, which took home the bronze medal at the Games after defeating Australia.

Thanks to her funny videos and openness about mental health and body positivity, Ilona’s star power grew exponentially during the Olympics, even securing her a spot at the Olympics Dancing with the stars competition this year.

The athlete made it to the finals with her partner Alan Bersten, but not without the support of her loving family, including her two sisters.

Her family was by her side not only on the reality show, but also at every sporting event and game, right up to the Olympics.

Join us, HELLO! As we learn all about Ilona’s loving family and how they unwaveringly support the Olympian.

Olivia Maher

Instagram

The oldest of the Maher daughters is Olivia, who was born in 1994; She is a popular social media personality and even coined the viral term “girl dinner” that made rounds on the internet in 2023.

During an interview with PeopleIlona brought her sister in and enthused: “This is the inventor of Girl Dinner. She is my manager, my boss, my everything. She does everything.” Olivia works in television; She was an assistant at Apple TV+ Dickinson and worked in production at Peacock’s Girls5eva.

Ilona’s sisters are always the first to express their pride in her, even donning merchandise with her face on it at her games. “They support us so much,” she said People. “They travel all over the world and watch me play rugby and wear the weirdest T-shirts or scream the loudest and do the funniest things.”

Adrianna Maher

Instagram

Ilona’s younger sister was born in 1999, making her three years younger than the DWTS participant.

Adrianna works for a human rights organization in New York and is always by her sister’s side when she needs support.

“The first people I go to are definitely my sisters,” Ilona said People. “I hope this means I’m still in this room and can travel, and I hope my sisters will accompany me on that.”

Mieneke Maher

Instagram

The rugby star’s mother is a native of the Netherlands and couldn’t be prouder of her daughter’s incredible achievements.

“I have the honor of being the mother of three amazing children, but I also have the added label of being the mother of an Olympian, (which is very cool),” the nurse told WCAX in July. “For Ilona to be an advocate for mental health, ultimately, you know, body positivity… I think it’s amazing,” she said.

While she was unable to be in the stands for Ilona’s Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games due to COVID-19 restrictions, Mieneke couldn’t contain her excitement at the prospect of attending her performance in Paris.

“It’s exhilarating just watching the team and your daughter run onto the field,” she told the outlet. “I get very nervous because you always want the very best for your child.”

Michael Maher

Instagram

Michael is the patriarch of the Maher family and was the one who introduced Ilona to her beloved sport. A former rugby player, he encouraged his sporty daughter to try something new. “By the spring of my senior year of high school, I felt like I was done with softball,” she said Forbes in 2023. “I took winter pitching courses and spent my time in the outfield. I just got tired of there not being much movement.”

After playing rugby for the first time, she fell in love. “I scored three tries and made a couple of tackles straight after,” she continued. “My father will tell you; He was so excited about it.”

Ilona is a staunch mental health and body positivity activist, thanks in part to Michael, who advocated for his daughter during her childhood. Olivia told a story Seven days about her sister’s Little League game. “There was some kind of excitement on the other field,” she said.

“(Ilona) raced in there and this guy yelled, ‘Tell her to slow down; no one can hit anything!’ Then my father spoke up.

“I know what Ilona got from this,” she finished. “Never put yourself down.”