Rachel Riley Biography: Awards, Movies, Siblings, Net Worth, Husband, Age, Parents, Height

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Rachel Riley is a well-known British television presenter and mathematician, most famous for co-hosting the Channel 4 puzzle show Countdown.

She first joined the show in 2009, replacing Carol Vorderman at just 22 years old.

Her fresh approach to the role and her mathematical background helped her rise in popularity.

She is also co-presenting the comedic spin-off show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Over the years, Riley’s television career has diversified to include shows like The Gadget Show, and It’s Not Rocket Science, further solidifying her place as a prominent figure in British TV.

Profile

•   Full name: Rachel Annabelle Riley  
•   Date of birth: January 11, 1986  
•   Age: 38 years old
•   Gender: Female  
•   Place of birth: Rochford, Essex, England  
•   Nationality: British  
• – Profession: Television Presenter, Mathematician
•   Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters)  
•   Parents: Christopher Riley (father), Celia Riley (mother)  
•   Siblings: Alex Riley (brother)  
•   Spouse: Pasha Kovalev (m. 2019)  
•   Children: Maven Aria Kovalev (b. December 2019), Noa Kovalev (b. November 2021)  
•   Relationship status: Married  
•   Religion: Identifies as Jewish (non-religious)  
•   Ethnicity: English, Irish, and Ashkenazi Jewish descent  
•   Net worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Rachel Riley, now 38, was born on January 11, 1986, in Rochford, Essex, and grew up in the Thorpe Bay area of Southend-on-Sea. Her father, Christopher Riley, works as an accountant, and her mother, Celia Riley, is a homemaker. Rachel has a younger brother named Alex.

Her family background includes English, Irish, and Ashkenazi Jewish roots. Despite identifying as non-religious, she acknowledges her Jewish heritage, which has played a significant role in her later activism.

Rachel attended Thorpe Hall School and Southend High School for Girls, excelling academically and securing four As at A-Level. Her educational journey then took her to Oriel College, Oxford, where she studied mathematics, graduating with an upper second-class honors degree.

Initially, she considered a career in finance, completing an internship at Deutsche Bank, but the corporate environment led her to pivot toward television.

Personal Life

Rachel Riley’s personal life has been in the public eye since her marriage to Jamie Gilbert, whom she met while attending the University of Oxford. They married on August 11, 2012, but separated after 16 months in November 2013.

Following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, she began dating her dance partner, Pasha Kovalev. The couple married in a quiet ceremony in Las Vegas in June 2019 and now share two daughters, Maven Aria, born in December 2019, and Noa, born in November 2021.

In addition to her family life, Rachel is a passionate advocate for numerous causes, particularly those relating to antisemitism, which has influenced much of her public life in recent years.

Career

Rachel Riley’s career began in the financial sector, but her aversion to the corporate environment led her to a more public-facing role. In 2009, she was selected from over 1,000 candidates to replace Carol Vorderman as the co-host of Countdown.

Despite initial doubts due to her lack of television experience, she quickly succeeded on the show, co-presenting more than 1,000 episodes by 2019.

In addition to Countdown, Riley has appeared on the comedy spin-off show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown since 2012. She has also worked on The Gadget Show and Strictly Come Dancing, where she met her future husband, Pasha Kovalev.

Her interest in science led her to co-present the ITV show It’s Not Rocket Science in 2016. Rachel is also known for her activism, particularly her vocal opposition to antisemitism in British politics, which led her to campaign actively on social media.

Awards

•   Rear of the Year Award (2017)
•   Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2023 for services to Holocaust education and raising awareness of antisemitism  

Net Worth

Rachel Riley’s estimated net worth is $5 million. She accumulated her wealth primarily through her television work on shows like Countdown and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Her appearances on various television programs, as well as her activism, have helped solidify her financial success.

Controversy

Rachel Riley has been central to several high-profile controversies, particularly her outspoken criticism of antisemitism in British politics.

Her vocal opposition to the Labour Party’s handling of antisemitism under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership has drawn both support and backlash. In 2018, she publicly criticized the party’s response to allegations of antisemitism, which led to heated online debates and harassment directed at her.

In 2019, Riley faced criticism for posting a photo on Twitter where she had altered a famous image of Jeremy Corbyn, sparking outrage from those who accused her of manipulating the historical context. The tweet targeted Corbyn and was labeled as inflammatory, and some users even called for her dismissal from Countdown.

Riley has also been involved in legal action against individuals who spread defamatory claims against her on social media. In 2022, she won a libel case against blogger Michael Sivier, who had accused her of harassing a Labour activist.

Riley was awarded £50,000 in damages following the case. Throughout these controversies, she has remained a vocal advocate for Holocaust education and against antisemitism.

Social Media

•   Instagram: @rachelrileyrr  
•   Twitter: @RachelRileyRR  

Filmography

•   Countdown (2009-present)  
•   8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (2012-present)  
•   The Gadget Show (2013-2014)  
•   Strictly Come Dancing (2013)  
•   It’s Not Rocket Science (2016)  
•   Friday Night Football (2016-2017)

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