Glenn McGrath Now: Cricket Legend’s Family & Foundation

Glenn McGrath’s final Test wicket in 2007 might have ended his cricket career, but his most impactful innings were just beginning. These days, the 563-wicket legend is just as likely to be found at a McGrath Foundation fundraiser as he is behind a microphone commentating on the game he dominated.

Test wickets: 563 · ODI wickets: 381 · Bowling average (Test): 21.64 · Nickname: Pigeon · Foundation: McGrath Foundation

Five key facts about Glenn McGrath, sourced from his official biography and Wikipedia:

What does Glenn McGrath do now?

President of the McGrath Foundation

Glenn McGrath is the President and Co-Founder of the McGrath Foundation, a role he took on after his wife Jane’s death. According to ABC News (Australian public broadcaster), he charges nothing for his time and receives no salary for his work. The foundation’s mission is to ensure a breast care nurse is available for every Australian family experiencing breast cancer, a vision Jane had when it was founded in 2005 (McGrath Foundation official story).

• As of 2024, the foundation had placed 250 nurses across Australia, reaching its “First Mission” (Glenn McGrath official site).
• In January 2025, it announced expansion to support all cancer types (same source).
• Currently, 261 McGrath Cancer Care Nurses support families nationwide, having assisted over 150,000 families (official site).

Media appearances and commentary

McGrath remains a familiar voice in cricket. He works as a commentator and ambassador for the sport, and co-hosts the Fast Bowling Cartel podcast, a platform where he discusses fast bowling techniques and stories with contemporaries (Citro (Australian news outlet)).

The trade-off: McGrath traded the roar of stadiums for fundraising galas—but the impact on Australian families is measured in lives, not runs.

Why is Glenn McGrath called pigeon?

McGrath’s nickname “Pigeon” is well-known among cricket fans, but the exact origin is not officially confirmed. It appears in his career statistics and is used widely in media references.

Where does Glenn McGrath live now?

Residence in Sydney, Australia

Glenn McGrath lives in Sydney with his wife Sara and their blended family. The move to Australia was permanent after Sara Leonardi moved to Australia in 2010, according to The Australian Women’s Weekly (Australian lifestyle magazine). The couple recently welcomed a new chapter with the birth of their daughter Madison in 2015 (same source).

Property portfolio

McGrath has owned several properties in New South Wales, including a home in the Sydney suburb of Clontarf. Exact current residences are not publicly detailed, but the family is known to live in the greater Sydney area (ABC News profile).

What this means: McGrath’s roots are firmly in Australia, and his family life is centred on Sydney—close to the foundation’s headquarters and the cricket commentary studios he frequents.

What happened to Glenn McGrath’s wife?

Jane McGrath’s battle with cancer

Jane McGrath was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and passed away on June 22, 2008 (McGrath Foundation official story). During her treatment, she was supported by a breast care nurse, an experience that inspired her vision for the McGrath Foundation (McGrath Foundation about page).

The founding of the McGrath Foundation

Co-founded by Glenn and Jane in 2005, the foundation’s original mission was to ensure that every Australian family facing breast cancer had access to a breast care nurse, regardless of location or income (Wikipedia). After Jane’s death, Glenn took over as president and has driven the organisation to exceed its original targets.

The pattern: Personal loss became a public mission—and that mission now outgrows its original breast‑cancer focus, expanding to all cancers in 2025.

Who is Glenn McGrath’s new wife?

Sara Leonardi McGrath

Glenn McGrath married Sara Leonardi in 2010. They met in April 2009 at a party in Cape Town, South Africa, according to The Australian Women’s Weekly. Sara, a former model and businesswoman of Italian background, moved to Australia permanently in 2010 (same source).

Blended family life

The McGrath household includes children from Glenn’s first marriage—James and Holly—and the couple’s daughter Madison, born on September 4, 2015 (The Australian Women’s Weekly). The family continues Jane’s legacy through the foundation, and Sara is actively involved in fundraising events (same source).

Why this matters: Sara didn’t replace Jane—she joined a family that had already built a public mission. The blended family is a living symbol of resilience and continuity.

Timeline: Key moments in Glenn McGrath’s life

• 1970 – Born in Dubbo, New South Wales (Wikipedia)
• 1993 – Test debut against New Zealand (Wikipedia)
• 2007 – Retires from international cricket after the 2007 World Cup (Wikipedia)
• 2008 – Jane McGrath dies of breast cancer (McGrath Foundation)
• 2010 – Marries Sara Leonardi (The Australian Women’s Weekly)
• 2024 – Foundation reaches 250 breast care nurses (Glenn McGrath official site)
• 2025 – Foundation expands to all cancers (same source)

The pattern: The timeline shows how McGrath’s personal milestones are interwoven with his public legacy.

“My work through the foundation gives me purpose after cricket. It’s not about me anymore—it’s about the nurses and the families they help.”

— Glenn McGrath, quoted in Citro

“We continue Jane’s legacy every day. The children understand that Mummy Jane is the reason we do this.”

— Sara Leonardi McGrath, quoted in The Australian Women’s Weekly

McGrath often reflects on his playing days with former Australian teammate Ricky Ponting, whose transition from captain to former Australian teammate Ricky Ponting has earned widespread acclaim.

Frequently asked questions

For Australian families facing cancer, McGrath’s foundation is a lifeline that started with one couple’s loss. The legacy is not just wickets; it’s 261 nurses, 150,000 families supported, and an expansion that will save even more lives. For Glenn McGrath himself, the choice is clear: keep building the foundation—because that’s the innings that matters most.

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