Jennifer Dooley: Biography, Ricky Hatton’s Former Partner, Children and Life Today
Jennifer Dooley is best known as the former fiancée of British boxing champion Ricky Hatton and the mother of their two daughters, Millie and Fearne. Before becoming associated with one of Britain’s most recognizable boxers, she worked as a college lecturer in Manchester. Their relationship lasted approximately 11 years, during which Dooley accompanied Hatton through important moments in his boxing career. Although they separated in 2016, they maintained a close family connection. Following Hatton’s death in September 2025, Dooley spoke about his relationship with their children, offering a personal account of the man behind his celebrated boxing career.
Who Is Jennifer Dooley?
Jennifer Dooley is a British former college lecturer who became known through her long-term relationship with Ricky Hatton, the former world light-welterweight and welterweight boxing champion.
She was a familiar presence during Hatton’s international boxing career, particularly when he travelled to the United States for major fights. Unlike many people associated with professional athletes, Dooley maintained a relatively private life and did not pursue a career in celebrity entertainment.
In December 2007, she was identified as a 26-year-old lecturer at Manchester College of Art and Technology. She subsequently left her teaching position after being refused time off to accompany Hatton to his highly anticipated fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas.
Dooley and Hatton later became engaged and had two daughters together. Their relationship ended in 2016, but they continued spending time together as a family.
Jennifer Dooley Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jennifer Dooley |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Former fiancée of Ricky Hatton |
| Previous occupation | College lecturer |
| Former workplace | Manchester College of Art and Technology |
| Former partner | Ricky Hatton |
| Relationship ended | 2016 |
| Children | Two daughters, Millie and Fearne |
| Marital status with Hatton | Formerly engaged; never confirmed as married |
| Publicly documented appearance | Ricky Hatton’s inquest in March 2026 |
Jennifer Dooley’s Early Life and Career
Jennifer Dooley worked in education before her relationship with Ricky Hatton brought her wider recognition.
Her teaching career included a position at Manchester College of Art and Technology, where she was employed when Hatton was preparing for his December 2007 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
That contest was among the most anticipated events of Hatton’s career. Thousands of British supporters travelled to Las Vegas to watch the undefeated Manchester boxer challenge Mayweather.
Dooley wanted to accompany her partner, but her employers declined her request for time off. She resigned from her lecturing position and travelled to Las Vegas with Hatton’s family and supporters.
Her subsequent professional activities have remained largely outside the media.
Jennifer Dooley and Ricky Hatton’s Relationship
The couple were together for approximately 11 years before separating in 2016.
Jennifer Dooley and Ricky Hatton began their relationship around 2005, when Hatton was establishing himself as one of Britain’s leading professional boxers.
Their relationship coincided with a significant period in his sporting career. In June 2005, Hatton defeated Kostya Tszyu in Manchester to win the IBF light-welterweight title, establishing himself internationally.
As his career developed, Dooley accompanied him to major sporting events and became part of his established family circle.
Supporting Hatton During His Boxing Career
Dooley was present during several important chapters of Hatton’s career, including his December 2007 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The couple also remained together during the difficult period that followed Hatton’s defeat to Manny Pacquiao in May 2009.
Hatton subsequently experienced personal difficulties and stepped away from professional boxing. In interviews surrounding his attempted comeback in 2012, he acknowledged Dooley’s support during that period.
In November 2012, Hatton publicly credited Jennifer with helping him through the preceding three years. By then, the couple had welcomed their first daughter, Millie, and Hatton spoke about the importance of family life.
Were Jennifer Dooley and Ricky Hatton Married?
Jennifer Dooley and Ricky Hatton were engaged but were not publicly confirmed to have married.
Contemporary media coverage described her as his girlfriend and later his fiancée. Following their separation, she was consistently identified as his former partner.
The distinction is important because being engaged does not mean the couple legally married.
Why Did Jennifer Dooley and Ricky Hatton Separate?
Their relationship ended in 2016 after approximately 11 years together.
Although Hatton’s personal struggles and their relationship attracted media attention, assigning a single definitive reason for their separation would be speculative.
What is established is that the couple maintained contact and continued sharing family experiences after their romantic relationship ended.
Jennifer Dooley’s Children
Jennifer Dooley and Ricky Hatton had two daughters together, Millie and Fearne.
Their first daughter, Millie, was born in 2011. Her arrival came during a transitional period in Hatton’s life, after he had announced his retirement from professional boxing.
Their second daughter, Fearne, was born in July 2013.
Hatton also had an older son, Campbell Hatton, from a previous relationship. Campbell followed his father into professional boxing.
Despite their separation, Dooley and Hatton continued to maintain a family relationship centred on their children.
Jennifer Dooley After Ricky Hatton’s Death
Ricky Hatton died on September 14, 2025, aged 46.
His death brought renewed attention to his family, including Jennifer Dooley and their daughters.
In March 2026, Dooley gave evidence at Hatton’s inquest at Stockport Coroner’s Court. She described him as an affectionate and involved father who enjoyed spending time with his daughters.
She explained that the family continued to spend time together after their separation and that Hatton frequently expressed how happy he was when he was with his children.
The inquest concluded with a narrative verdict. The coroner determined that Hatton’s intention at the time of his death could not be established, rather than concluding that he had intended to take his own life.
Dooley’s testimony provided an account of Hatton’s family life beyond the boxing ring and the personal difficulties that had featured in coverage of his career.
Where Is Jennifer Dooley Now?
Jennifer Dooley has generally kept her life away from celebrity media since separating from Ricky Hatton.
Her appearance at his March 2026 inquest is among her most recent documented public appearances. Her testimony focused on their shared family life and Hatton’s relationship with their children.
She has not publicly established a celebrity career or announced a new professional role through the major news coverage associated with her former partner.
Her continued involvement in Hatton’s family life after their separation is one of the clearest aspects of her more recent biography.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Jennifer Dooley?
Jennifer Dooley is a former Manchester college lecturer and the former fiancée of British boxer Ricky Hatton. They were together for approximately 11 years and had two daughters.
2. How old is Jennifer Dooley?
She was 26 in December 2007, placing her approximate age at 44 or 45 in September 2026, depending on her birthday. Her exact date of birth has not been publicly established.
3. How many children does Jennifer Dooley have?
Jennifer Dooley has two daughters with Ricky Hatton, Millie, born in 2011, and Fearne, born in July 2013.
4. When did Jennifer Dooley and Ricky Hatton split up?
They separated in 2016 after approximately 11 years together. They continued to share family experiences and remained involved in raising their daughters.
5. What does Jennifer Dooley do for a living?
Dooley previously worked as a lecturer at Manchester College of Art and Technology. Her current occupation has not been established through reliable public records.
6. Is Jennifer Dooley the former Green Thumb Industries executive?
No. The Jennifer Dooley associated with Ricky Hatton is a different person from the American business executive who served as chief strategy officer at Green Thumb Industries and subsequently joined Petalfast’s board of directors.
Conclusion
Jennifer Dooley’s biography is closely connected with Ricky Hatton’s life outside boxing. A former lecturer who became his long-term partner and the mother of their two daughters, she accompanied him through important moments in his sporting career. Although their relationship ended in 2016, they maintained a family connection. Her testimony at Hatton’s March 2026 inquest provided a personal account of his devotion to their children.
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