Oti Mabuse Wiki, Bio, Networth, BF, Husband, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Oti Mabuse

Otlile “Oti” Mabuse is a South African professional dancer, choreographer, television personality, and author who has become a prominent figure in the British entertainment industry. She is widely recognized for her incredible talent on the dance floor, particularly her appearances as a professional dancer on the hit BBC series Strictly Come Dancing, which she famously won in two consecutive years. Beyond her success on the dance competition show, Mabuse has solidified her status as a beloved television personality through her roles as a judge on popular shows like Dancing on Ice and The Masked Dancer. Her infectious energy, warm personality, and exceptional dancing skills have endeared her to millions of viewers. Mabuse has also ventured into choreography for stage productions and has authored a series of children’s books, showcasing her diverse talents and passion for dance.

Oti Mabuse Overview

Early Life and Education of Oti Mabuse

Oti Mabuse was born Otlile Mabuse on August 8, 1990, in Pretoria, South Africa. Growing up in a country just beginning to move away from the injustices of apartheid, her parents, Peter, a lawyer, and Dudu, a teacher, were determined to provide their daughters with opportunities they never had. Her mother, Dudu, had a passion for ballroom dancing but was denied the chance to pursue it due to racial segregation. Determined to see her daughters have the chances she was denied, she established her own dance school for Black children in their community. This environment meant that from the tender age of four, Oti and her sisters, Motsi and Phemelo, were immersed in the world of dance. Her mother’s dedication also extended to ensuring her children’s safety in a dangerous community, as she set up a transport system to ferry them to and from the dance school. While dance was a central part of her upbringing, her parents also emphasized the importance of a strong academic foundation. Following this guidance, Mabuse went on to study civil engineering at the Tshwane University of Technology. However, her undeniable passion for dance ultimately led her to pursue a professional career in the art form, a decision that would eventually lead her to international acclaim.

Oti Mabuse’s Career

Oti Mabuse’s professional dancing career began with remarkable success in her home country of South Africa, where she became an eight-time South African Latin American Champion. Seeking to further her career, she moved to Germany. There, she found a new dance partner in Marius Iepure, who would later become her husband. Together, they achieved significant accolades, including becoming the German National Show Dance Champions and placing second in the World Latin Championships.

Mabuse’s television career took off in 2015 when she joined the German version of Strictly Come Dancing, titled Let’s Dance, as a professional dancer. This experience paved the way for her to join the British version, Strictly Come Dancing, later that same year. Over her seven years on the show, Mabuse became a fan favorite. She reached the final in 2016 with actor Danny Mac and made history by becoming the only professional dancer to win the competition in two consecutive years. She lifted the coveted Glitterball Trophy in 2019 with actor Kelvin Fletcher and again in 2020 with comedian Bill Bailey.

After her triumphant run on Strictly, which she departed in 2022, Mabuse transitioned into judging and presenting roles, cementing her status as a versatile television personality. She served as a Dance Captain on The Greatest Dancer and a panelist on The Masked Dancer. Since 2022, she has been a judge on the popular ITV show Dancing on Ice. Her expertise and engaging personality have also led to numerous other television appearances, including Celebrity MasterChef, The Jonathan Ross Show, and as a presenter for her own show, Oti Mabuse’s Breakfast Show. Beyond television, Mabuse has choreographed for stage productions, including The Cher Show, and has authored a series of successful children’s books centered around dance.

Oti Mabuse Personal Life & Family

Oti Mabuse’s family has played a pivotal role in her life and career. Her parents, Peter and Dudu Mabuse, instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for dance. She is the youngest of three sisters. Her eldest sister, Motsi Mabuse, is also a highly successful professional dancer and is well-known as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. Her middle sister, Phemelo, also danced competitively, even participating in the World Dance Championships, but ultimately pursued a career as a systems engineer in South Africa.

Tragically, the family experienced a devastating loss when their half-brother, Neo, died by suicide at the age of 18. This heartbreaking event led to the family being ostracized by some in their community due to superstitious beliefs.

In 2014, Oti Mabuse married Romanian professional dancer Marius Iepure. They met in Germany during a dance trial and their professional partnership soon blossomed into a romantic one. The couple moved to London in 2015. In December 2023, they welcomed their first child, a daughter. Mabuse has shared that their daughter was born prematurely and faced health challenges, including sepsis, shortly after birth. Together, Oti and Marius run the Oti & Marius Dance Studio, where they share their love and expertise of dance with aspiring dancers.

Awards and Achievements of Oti Mabuse

• Eight-time South African Latin American Champion
• Winner of Strictly Come Dancing (2019) with Kelvin Fletcher
• Winner of Strictly Come Dancing (2020) with Bill Bailey
• First place in German Championship PD Freestyle Latin
• Second place in European Championship Latin (2014)
• Third place in World Cup Freestyle Latin (2014)
• Nominated for a Broadway World UK Award for choreography for Kiss Me, Kate

Oti Mabuse Net Worth and Income

As of recent estimates, Oti Mabuse’s net worth is approximately £1.5 million. Her wealth has been accumulated through a successful and multifaceted career in the entertainment industry. A significant portion of her income has come from her role as a professional dancer on the highly popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing. Following her departure from the show, she has secured lucrative positions as a judge on major television shows like Dancing on Ice and The Masked Dancer. Mabuse has also earned income from numerous brand partnerships, including a deal with the lingerie brand Bravissimo. Furthermore, she runs a company, Pure Mabuse Entertainment Ltd, with her husband, which holds substantial assets. Her ventures also include authoring children’s books and running a dance studio, all of which contribute to her impressive net worth.

Legacy and Influence

Oti Mabuse has established a significant legacy as a trailblazing dancer and a beloved media personality. As the only professional dancer to win Strictly Come Dancing in two consecutive years, she has set a high bar for excellence and creativity on the show. Her success has made her one of the most celebrated dancers to emerge from South Africa. Beyond her competitive achievements, Mabuse is a passionate advocate for diversity in the world of dance and serves as an inspiration for aspiring dancers, particularly young girls of color. She has spoken openly about facing racism and fat-shaming, using her platform to encourage resilience and to show that “anything is possible.” Through her work as a choreographer, judge, and author, she continues to share her passion for dance and empower the next generation. Her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to her craft have left an indelible mark on the British entertainment landscape.

Interesting Facts about Oti Mabuse

• Before pursuing a professional dancing career, she studied civil engineering at university.
• Her mother started a dance school in South Africa to give her and her sisters opportunities that were denied to Black children during apartheid.
• She is a polyglot and reportedly speaks about eight languages.
• In addition to her dancing and television career, she has authored a series of children’s books.
• She and her husband, Marius Iepure, won the German National Show Dance Championships together.
• She appeared on the reality show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2024.

Controversies

Oti Mabuse has been open about the challenges she has faced throughout her career, including being the target of racist abuse and fat-shaming from the public during her time on Strictly Come Dancing. She has stated that she received “horrible” messages but chose to use the negativity as motivation to continue her work and inspire young girls. More recently, following allegations of a “toxic environment” on Strictly Come Dancing involving another professional dancer, Mabuse commented that the high-pressure environment often comes from the professional dancers’ own competitive nature rather than from the show’s producers. In early 2025, some viewers of Dancing on Ice criticized her judging as “too harsh,” a claim she defended by providing detailed, constructive feedback to the contestants. Her debut as a panelist on Loose Women in 2025 was met with a mixed reception, with some viewers complaining about the need for guest panelists, while many others defended her and praised her appearance.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram (@otimabuse) – Approximately 740K followers
• Twitter (X) – Information not disclosed.
• YouTube – Information not disclosed.
• TikTok (@otimabuse) – Approximately 401.7K followers

Final Words about Oti Mabuse

Oti Mabuse continues to be a dynamic and influential force in the entertainment world. Having conquered the dance floor on Strictly Come Dancing with historic back-to-back wins, she has successfully transitioned into a respected judge and a charismatic television presenter. Her journey from Pretoria, South Africa, to becoming a household name in the UK is a testament to her immense talent, hard work, and infectious personality. Currently, she remains a prominent figure on British television as a judge on Dancing on Ice and through various other media appearances. Looking to the future, Mabuse is set to join the judging panel for the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars in 2026. With her ongoing ventures in choreography, writing, and nurturing new talent through her dance school, Oti Mabuse’s legacy as a multifaceted artist and an inspiring role model is firmly secured.