Maura Higgins has become one of the most recognizable Irish faces in reality television. From her explosive entrance on Love Island UK in 2019 to her recent runner‑up finish on The Traitors US, the 35‑year‑old presenter and model has built a career that extends far beyond the villa.
Born in a small town in County Longford, Higgins left school at 16 to train as a hairdresser. A decade later, she was a bombshell on one of the world’s biggest reality shows. Her journey since then includes presenting roles, a MAC Cosmetics campaign, and a growing social media following that now exceeds four million on Instagram alone.
This article provides a fact‑based overview of Maura Higgins’s biography, career milestones, net worth, personal life, and 2026 activities, drawing on verified sources and addressing the most common questions about her.
Who Is Maura Higgins? Biography and Background
Maura Higgins
25 November 1990 (Age 35 in 2026)
Reality TV Personality, Presenter, Model
Love Island UK Season 5, The Traitors US, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
Key Insights
- Maura Higgins rose to fame as a memorable contestant on Love Island UK in 2019 despite entering the villa late.
- She has successfully transitioned from reality contestant to mainstream media personality with roles on Dancing on Ice, I’m a Celebrity, and The Traitors US.
- Although she did not win Love Island, her post‑show career has been among the most sustained of any contestant from that season.
- Her Instagram following (4 M+) remains a core pillar of her brand and income.
- Higgins has diversified into presenting, including hosting Love Island USA: Aftersun.
- She made her acting debut in the film The Spin, released in 2024/2025.
Snapshot Facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maura Higgins |
| Birthdate | November 25, 1990 |
| Age (2026) | 35 years old |
| Birthplace | Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Height | 5′ 7″ (1.70 m) |
| Instagram Followers | 4 million+ |
| Partner | Not publicly confirmed (as of early 2026) |
Maura Higgins’ Career Path: From Love Island to 2026
What Was Maura Higgins Doing Before Love Island?
Before television fame, Higgins worked as a hairdresser for ten years after leaving school at 16 to train in Athlone. She then moved into modelling, working as a “grid girl” at racing events and as a “Monster Girl” for Monster Energy starting in 2014. In 2018 she went viral for a video of her drifting a car in Abu Dhabi, a moment that raised her profile before entering the Love Island villa. Wikipedia notes that this stunt was intended to inspire women to drive.
Did Maura Higgins Win Love Island?
No. Higgins entered the Love Island UK villa on Day 10 of Season 5 as a bombshell. She coupled with Curtis Pritchard and the pair finished in fourth place. Despite not winning, she became a fan favourite and remains one of the most talked‑about contestants from that series. Kiddle reports that she was known for the phrase “nobody’s real connoisseur”.
Is Maura Higgins on The Traitors?
Yes. Higgins was confirmed as a contestant on The Traitors US Season 4 in June 2025. She started the game as a “Faithful” and ultimately finished as the runner‑up to winner Rob Rausch. The season aired on Peacock in 2026, with Higgins appearing in episodes 1 through 11. Bracketology and Wikipedia both confirm her runner‑up status.
What Is Maura Higgins Doing in 2026?
In addition to her The Traitors appearance, Higgins appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show (Season 6, Episode 177) and has been active on social media. She has taken on what some outlets describe as her “biggest job on US reality TV” following The Traitors success. Her Instagram and TikTok accounts show her attending events such as Royal Ascot and hinting at a potential ambassadorial role for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though that remains speculative.
Maura’s television credits include: This Morning (agony aunt segment), Maura’s Ireland, Dancing on Ice (2020), Cooking with the Stars (2022), Glowup (Irish version, 2021), I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (2024, finished seventh), and Love Island USA: Aftersun (presenter, 2024). She also guest‑presented on Love Island Games in 2023.
Maura Higgins’ Net Worth and Personal Life
What Is Maura Higgins’ Net Worth?
No exact net worth figure has been publicly verified. However, Higgins is described as a “celebrated television personality” and “multi‑faceted entrepreneur” with income from modelling, presenting, and brand deals. Her signing with Elite Model Management in November 2021 and her role as the face of MAC Cosmetics UK and Ireland (January 2025) indicate substantial earning power. A biography highlights her as a multi‑faceted entrepreneur, but no specific dollar amount is available. (Kiddle also notes her MAC Cosmetics ambassadorship.)
Is Maura Higgins Married? Who Is She Dating?
As of early 2026, Maura Higgins is not publicly known to be married. She was previously linked to a partner but the couple split around Valentine’s Day 2025. According to TV Insider, she is currently single. She lives in Essex, England, despite her Irish upbringing.
Maura has two sisters and one brother. Her parents are divorced and are now dating other people, as shared in an interview with TV Insider.
How Many Instagram Followers Does Maura Higgins Have?
Higgins has over 4 million followers on Instagram. Her official account (@maurahiggins) is a key part of her brand, alongside her TikTok presence. Recent posts from 2026 highlight her activities after The Traitors and include promotional content for brands.
Despite frequent online speculation, Maura Higgins’ exact net worth has not been disclosed by any official or verifiable source. Figures circulating on social media and gossip sites should be treated as unconfirmed.
Maura Higgins’ Journey: Key Dates
- : Born in Ballymahon, County Longford, Ireland.
- : Began working as a “Monster Girl” for Monster Energy.
- : Viral drifting video filmed in Abu Dhabi.
- : Entered Love Island UK villa on Day 10; finished fourth.
- : Competed on Dancing on Ice.
- : Signed with Elite Model Management.
- : Presented Love Island USA: Aftersun; acted in film The Spin; joined I’m a Celebrity (finished seventh).
- : Became face of MAC Cosmetics UK and Ireland.
- : Runner‑up on The Traitors US Season 4; appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show.
What Is Maura Higgins’ Real Hair Color?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Maura Higgins was born in 1990 in Ireland. | Her exact net worth is not publicly verified. |
| She appeared on Love Island UK Season 5 and finished fourth. | Her natural hair colour is often asked; she has dark blonde/brown hair but frequently wears wigs and extensions, making it difficult to confirm her current natural shade. |
| She has over 4 million Instagram followers. | Her specific relationship status in 2026 is unconfirmed beyond being single after a split in early 2025. |
| She was a contestant and runner‑up on The Traitors US Season 4. | Whether she will take on an official ambassadorial role for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is speculative. |
Why Does Maura Higgins’ Career Matter?
Maura Higgins represents a successful case of leveraging a reality TV platform into a multi‑year media career. Her presence on both Love Island and The Traitors shows a strategic shift from dating shows to strategy‑based competition, widening her demographic appeal. Compared with other Love Island alumni, she has maintained relatively high relevance through selective major TV bookings and active social media management. The persistent curiosity about her natural hair colour also reflects a deeper audience interest in authenticity, a common theme in celebrity culture.
Where to Find Verified Information About Maura Higgins
The most authoritative sources for Maura Higgins’ biography include Wikipedia for structured biographical data, IMDb for verified filmography, and her official Instagram and TikTok accounts for current activities. News articles from outlets such as TV Insider provide additional context for her personal life, but their relationship speculation is of lower authority.
“Maura Higgins is a celebrated television personality and multi‑faceted entrepreneur.”
— The Biography of Maura Higgins (Google Books)
What’s Next for Maura Higgins?
Expect more brand partnerships and potential TV appearances in 2026. She may continue to leverage her The Traitors fame for other reality or game show bookings. A fashion or beauty line is a plausible next step, common for influencers of her scale. Continued public interest in her personal life will almost certainly keep search volume high.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maura Higgins
Did Maura Higgins win Love Island?
No, she was a finalist on Season 5 of Love Island UK but finished in fourth place with Curtis Pritchard.
What is Maura Higgins’ real hair color?
Her natural hair color is closer to dark blonde/brown, though she is known for wearing wigs and extensions in various colors.
Is Maura Higgins married?
As of early 2026, Maura Higgins is not publicly known to be married. She split with a partner around Valentine’s Day 2025 and is currently single.
How tall is Maura Higgins?
Her height is 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m), according to her IMDb profile.
Where does Maura Higgins live?
Despite being Irish, she now lives in Essex, England.
What was Maura Higgins’ job before Love Island?
She worked as a hairdresser for ten years after leaving school at 16, then became a grid girl and Monster Energy brand ambassador.
Is Maura Higgins on TikTok?
Yes, she is active on TikTok under the handle @maurahiggins.
Did Maura Higgins appear on Dancing on Ice?
Yes, she competed on Dancing on Ice in 2020.
What is Maura Higgins’ net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly verified. She earns from modeling, presenting, and brand deals with companies like MAC Cosmetics and Elite Model Management.
How many Instagram followers does Maura Higgins have?
She has over 4 million followers on Instagram as of 2026.
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