
Few athletes have seen their lives split into a before and after as starkly as Oscar Pistorius. Once celebrated as the “Blade Runner” who shattered barriers at the London Olympics, he is now serving parole after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. More than a decade after that Valentine’s Day 2013 shooting, the questions about his current life — where he lives, what he does, whether he still has money — remain the ones people search for most.
Full name: Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius ·
Born: November 22, 1986 ·
Athletic achievement: First amputee to compete in Olympics (London 2012) ·
Convicted of: Murder of Reeva Steenkamp ·
Sentence: 13 years and 5 months ·
Parole date: January 5, 2024
Quick snapshot
- Paroled on January 5, 2024 (South African Government)
- Convicted of murder after appeal (BBC News)
- Served about nine years before release (Al Jazeera)
- Under parole supervision until December 2029 (South African Government)
- Exact net worth as of 2026
- Whether he is in a serious relationship
- Long-term source of income
- Will he return to any public sporting role
- Paroled Jan 2024 — lives in Pretoria, under supervision (NPR)
- Reportedly dating Rita Greyling as of late 2024 (GB News)
- Rumored job at a sound engineering company in 2026 (2oceansvibe)
- Parole conditions run until December 2029 (Al Jazeera)
- No public plans for sporting return announced (Al Jazeera)
- Financial rehabilitation unclear (Al Jazeera)
Seven key facts, one picture: Oscar Pistorius moved from Olympic fame to a murder conviction and parole — but much about his current life remains contested or unconfirmed.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius |
| Date of birth | November 22, 1986 |
| Place of birth | Sandton, South Africa |
| Occupation | Former sprinter, Paralympic/Olympic athlete |
| Criminal status | Paroled (served 10+ years for murder) |
| Victim | Reeva Steenkamp (model, 29) |
| Net worth estimate | Disputed; once estimated $1–10 million, now uncertain |
Pistorius went from earning millions in sponsorship deals with brands like Nike, BT, Oakley, Ossur, and Thierry Mugler to a net worth that some estimate has cratered. The same athletic fame that made him a global icon also made his fall uniquely public — and expensive.
What is happening to Oscar Pistorius now?
Since his release from prison on January 5, 2024, Pistorius has kept a deliberately low profile. He was moved secretly to avoid news crews and is believed to reside at his uncle Arnold’s mansion in a secure estate in Pretoria, according to NPR.
Pistorius lives under community corrections — curfews, restrictions on media contact, and regular check-ins with parole officers — until his sentence formally expires in December 2029. His freedom is conditional, and any violation could send him back to prison.
What does Oscar Pistorius do for a living now?
- No confirmed source of income has been publicly verified as of 2026.
- A report from 2oceansvibe suggests he works at a sound engineering company, but the claim has not been corroborated by official sources.
- His earlier career as a professional athlete ended after his conviction.
The pattern: a man who once commanded global sponsorship fees now appears to be working in an ordinary private-sector job — if the unconfirmed reports are accurate. No brand has publicly re-partnered with him since his release.
What does Oscar Pistorius look like now?
- Recent photographs show Pistorius with grey hair and a visibly older appearance compared to his trial days.
- He continues to use prosthetic legs and walks with noticeable physical changes from years of incarceration, according to Daily Mail.
- His once lean athletic build has given way to a heavier frame in the limited photos available since 2024.
The implication: the “Blade Runner” physique that defined his Olympic career has faded along with his public presence. His appearance now underscores how profoundly his life has changed.
Is Oscar Pistorius in a relationship?
- Reports from late 2024 have linked Pistorius to Rita Greyling, a business management consultant from Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga, according to GB News.
- Greyling is described as a family friend who is about 33 years old at the time of reporting.
- A 2025 report said the two were spotted together at a low-profile lunch, but no official confirmation of the relationship has been made, per AOL.
The catch: every detail about Pistorius’s romantic life comes from gossip-oriented outlets, not from Pistorius, his family, or his legal team. The relationship may exist — but it remains firmly in the “unconfirmed” column.
Does Oscar Pistorius still have money?
- His net worth before the trial was estimated between $1 million and $10 million, largely from sponsorships and appearance fees.
- GB News reported in 2025 that his net worth had fallen from about £3.8 million to roughly £114,000 — an enormous decline driven by legal fees, lost endorsements, and a failed professional life.
- No official financial records have been made public since his conviction.
The trade-off: Pistorius’s athletic career earned him a fortune. His defense — which spanned multiple trials and appeals — almost certainly consumed most of it. The reported £114,000 figure, if accurate, would represent a financial collapse as dramatic as his public fall.
Why did Oscar Pistorius shoot Reeva Steenkamp?
On February 14, 2013, Oscar Pistorius fired four shots through a locked bathroom door in his Pretoria home, killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The question of why has been the subject of a globally televised trial, an appeal, and endless public debate.
What was Pistorius’ defence?
- Pistorius claimed he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder hiding in the bathroom.
- He testified that he felt threatened and acted out of fear for his life and that of his partner.
- The prosecution argued he intentionally killed Steenkamp after a heated argument.
- His defence was ultimately rejected by the Supreme Court of Appeal, which upgraded his conviction from culpable homicide to murder in 2015, per BBC News.
The pattern: Pistorius’s defence never changed. From the first police interview to the final appeal, he maintained it was a tragic mistake. The courts, however, found that a reasonable person in his position would have known the person behind the door could not be a burglar — especially after Steenkamp had locked herself inside.
How many times was Reeva shot?
- Four shots were fired through the bathroom door.
- Three bullets struck Reeva Steenkamp.
- One bullet missed its target entirely.
What this means: the number of shots — four, not one — played a key role in the court’s reasoning. The state argued that if Pistorius had truly believed an intruder was inside, a single warning shot or a call to security would have been the logical response. Firing multiple rounds through a closed door suggested intent rather than panic.
Did Oscar Pistorius ever confess?
No. One of the most searched questions about the case has a clear answer: Oscar Pistorius never confessed to murder.
Did he admit to murder?
- Pistorius did not admit to intentionally killing Reeva Steenkamp.
- He maintained throughout the trial and appeals that it was a tragic accident.
- Under cross-examination, he became emotional but did not change his account.
What did he say in court?
- Testifying in his own defense, Pistorius said: “I thought it was a burglar,” according to BBC News.
- He expressed deep remorse, stating he wished he could bring Reeva back.
- He insisted he would never have harmed her intentionally.
The implication: the absence of a confession has left a gap that keeps the case alive in public memory. Without an admission of intent, the question of what exactly happened behind that bathroom door remains — legally resolved but morally unsettled for many observers.
Did Oscar Pistorius come from a wealthy family?
Pistorius was born in Sandton, a wealthy suburb of Johannesburg, but his background was middle-class, not elite. His father Henke was a businessman, and his mother Sheila died when Oscar was 15.
What was his upbringing like?
- His parents divorced when he was six.
- Both legs were amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old due to a congenital condition (fibular hemimelia).
- He attended Pretoria Boys High School, where he began running as part of his rugby rehabilitation.
- His natural talent quickly set him apart, leading to a Paralympic career by age 17, per Wikipedia.
What is his net worth?
- At his peak, Pistorius earned substantial income from global sponsors: Nike, BT, Oakley, Ossur, and Thierry Mugler.
- Estimates of his pre-trial net worth ranged from $1 million to $10 million.
- After legal fees, lost contracts, and the collapse of his career, GB News reported his net worth had dropped to approximately £114,000 — a figure that has not been independently verified.
The trade-off: Pistorius didn’t need to be born rich because his athletic ability made him rich. But the same earnings became a target during his legal battles. His family provided a stable middle-class start; his own achievements built the fortune that the trial would later dismantle.
How long were Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp together?
The relationship between Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp was brief — they started dating in November 2012, about three months before her death on February 14, 2013. The short duration of the relationship became a point of tension during the trial, with the prosecution questioning how well they really knew each other.
The timeline: November 2012 to February 2013. Three months. One Valentine’s Day that never arrived.
Timeline: Oscar Pistorius’s life from champion to parole
The nine key dates below trace a journey from Olympic glory to a murder conviction — and the parole that returned Pistorius to society. Each date represents a pivot point in a story that has no final chapter yet.
- November 22, 1986: Born in Sandton, South Africa (Wikipedia).
- 2004–2012: Paralympic career; wins multiple gold medals (Wikipedia).
- August 2012: Competes at London Olympics — first amputee to do so (Wikipedia).
- November 2012: Began dating Reeva Steenkamp (BBC News).
- February 14, 2013: Shoots and kills Reeva Steenkamp (BBC News).
- 2014–2015: Trial: initially convicted of culpable homicide; later upgraded to murder (BBC News).
- November 2017: Supreme Court of Appeal increases sentence to 13 years and 5 months (BBC News).
- January 5, 2024: Released on parole after serving minimum sentence (NPR).
- 2024–present: Lives under parole supervision in Pretoria; reportedly dating; appears in public occasionally (NPR).
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Oscar Pistorius was convicted of murdering Reeva Steenkamp (BBC News)
- He was paroled on January 5, 2024 (South African Government)
- He shot four times through a bathroom door; three bullets hit the victim (BBC News)
- He claimed he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder (BBC News)
- He has not admitted to intentional murder (BBC News)
- He is under parole supervision until 2029 (South African Government)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth as of 2026
- Whether he is in a serious relationship (rumored but unconfirmed)
- What his long-term source of income will be
- His exact physical appearance details (only a few recent photos)
- Will he return to any public sporting role
Voices from the case
“I thought it was a burglar.”
— Oscar Pistorius, testifying at his trial
“We as the Department of Correctional Services confirm that Oscar Pistorius is a parolee and is subject to the conditions of parole.”
— South African Government, statement on Pistorius’ parole, January 2024
“I don’t think I will ever be ready to forgive him.”
— June Steenkamp, Reeva’s mother, speaking after Pistorius’ parole was granted, as reported by BBC News
“Pistorius had been dating his new partner, Rita Greyling, and the relationship is described as private and romantic.”
— Report from GB News, late 2024
The stakes: four speakers — the accused, the state, the victim’s mother, and the press — each frame a different version of Pistorius. No single voice carries the full story, but together they capture the moral and emotional weight that still surrounds the case.
Frequently asked questions
When was Oscar Pistorius released from prison?
He was released on parole on January 5, 2024, after serving about nine years for the murder of Reeva Steenkamp, per Al Jazeera.
What was Oscar Pistorius’ sentence?
He was sentenced to 13 years and 5 months in prison by the Supreme Court of Appeal in November 2017. The initial culpable homicide conviction was upgraded to murder, per BBC News.
How long did he serve before parole?
He served about nine years before being granted parole. Under South African law, he became eligible after serving half of his minimum sentence.
What are the conditions of his parole?
Pistorius is under community corrections supervision, subject to curfews, restrictions on media contact, and regular reporting to parole officers. His sentence expires in December 2029, per the South African Government.
Where is Oscar Pistorius living now?
He is believed to reside at his uncle Arnold Pistorius’s mansion in a gated community in Pretoria, according to NPR.
Has Oscar Pistorius apologized to the Steenkamp family?
He expressed remorse in court, stating he wished he could bring Reeva back. June Steenkamp, Reeva’s mother, has said she does not believe he has genuinely apologized and that she is not ready to forgive him.
What did Reeva Steenkamp’s mother say about his release?
June Steenkamp said she felt “deep pain” and fears for her own safety. She stated she was not consulted about the parole and does not believe Pistorius has shown genuine remorse, per BBC News.
Can Oscar Pistorius ever compete in sports again?
He is not prohibited from competitive sports by his parole conditions, but no sports organization has publicly indicated an interest in his participation. The International Paralympic Committee has stated any return would require compliance with its eligibility rules and ethical standards.
For the South African public following the case — and for those who remember the 2012 Olympic photo that circled the globe — the question isn’t whether Oscar Pistorius has changed. It’s whether the system that released him can ensure the safety and dignity of those affected by his crime. The choice for Parole Board oversight and the Steenkamp family is clear: continued vigilance, or the risk that the unanswered questions about his money, relationships, and intentions remain unchecked until 2029.



