Who was Fred Perry? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Frederick John Perry

Died At Age: 85

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Barbara Riese (m. 1952–1995), Helen Vinson (m. 1935–1940), Lorraine Walsh (m. 1945), Sandra Breaux (m. 1941)

father: Samuel Perry

children: David Perry, Penny Perry

Born Country: England

Tennis Players Table Tennis Players

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

Died on: February 2, 1995

place of death: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death: Accidental Fall

City: Stockport, England

Recommended For You

1

What is the origin of Fred Perry brand?

Fred Perry is a British heritage brand founded by former tennis player Fred Perry in the late 1940s.
2

What are some popular items from Fred Perry?

Some popular items from Fred Perry include their signature polo shirts, Harrington jackets, and track jackets.
3

Where are Fred Perry products manufactured?

Fred Perry products are manufactured in various countries, including Portugal, Turkey, and China.
4

Does Fred Perry offer limited edition collections?

Yes, Fred Perry often collaborates with designers and artists to release limited edition collections, adding a unique twist to their classic styles.
5

How has Fred Perry expanded its brand beyond clothing?

Fred Perry has extended its brand into accessories, footwear, and even collaborations with other brands, broadening its appeal beyond just clothing.

Recommended Lists:

British Celebrities

British Men

Tall Celebrities

Tall Male Celebrities

Male Sportspersons

Childhood & Early Life

Fred Perry was born in Cheshire but lived in Wallasey, England, where his father Samuel Perry, a cotton spinner, was involved in local politics. It was here, he attended the Liscard Primary School.

He also lived in Bolton for a brief period of time because his father’s involvement in local politics required the family to move from place to place.

At the age of nine, he moved to Ealing, West London after his father became the National Secretary of the Co-operative Party post World War I and was educated at the Ealing Grammar School for Boys.

He initially began playing lawn tennis in the courts of his family’s public estate.

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

Male Tennis Players

Taurus Tennis Players

British Sportspersons

Briton Tennis Players

Career

Perry’s career kick started when from 1928 to 1929, he won medals in the single, double and team events at the ‘World Table Tennis Championship’.

He was the frontrunner of the Great Britain team in the Davis Cup and led his team to four consecutive victories from 1933 to 1936.

Between 1934 and 1936, he won three consecutive Wimbledon men's titles. He also won three U.S. Open (1933, 1934, 1936), French Open (1935) and Australian Open (1934).

In 1936, he won 29 out of 61 matches during the United States, ‘Big Tour’, following which he travelled to England and concluded the tour with a victory.

In 1938, the ‘Big Tour’ was even more grandiose and this time, Perry played against Ellsworth Vines, where Vines beat Perry, 49 to 35.

Recommended Lists:

British Table Tennis Players

Awards & Achievements

He was the winner of the World Table tennis Championship in 1929.

He won three continuous Wimbledon championships from 1934 to 1936 and was also conferred the title of ‘World Number 1’.

In 1938 and 1941, he was awarded the prestigious ‘US Pro’ title.

Continue Reading Below

In 1975, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, in Newport, Rhode Island.

Personal Life & Legacy

In the early 1930’s, he was one of the most sought after bachelors and his off-the–court romances were often sensationalised by the press. He dated many actresses and models of that time.

Fred Perry was romantically involved with actresses Marlene Dietrich and Marry Lawson. He married four times, with his earlier three marriages ending in divorce.

He married his fourth wife, Barbara Riese in 1952 and the couple had two children, Penny and David.

He launched his clothing label, ‘The Fred Perry tennis shirt’ at the 1952 Wimbledon, which became an instant favourite among teenagers in the early 60s and 70s. The clothing line exists to date.

In 1979, his autobiography titled ‘Fred Perry- An Autobiography’ was published. In this book, Jack Kramer, long-time tennis player and promoter referred to him as ‘One of the six greatest players of all time’.

To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his first singles championship, a bronze statue of Fred Perry was unveiled at the ‘All England Lawn Tennis Club’, in 1984.

He fell in the bathroom in a hotel, broke his ribs and subsequently died at a hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

He was named one of the ‘ten greatest players of all time’ in the 1997 documentary, ‘Kings of Court’, made in collaboration with the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In 2002, a designated walking track, ‘Fred Perry Way’, was named in his honour, which is built through the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, North West London.

Facts About Fred Perry

Fred Perry was not only a tennis champion, but also a skilled table tennis player, winning multiple championships in both sports.

He was the first player to achieve a career Grand Slam in tennis, winning all four major titles in both singles and doubles.

Fred Perry served in the British Royal Air Force during World War II, showing his commitment to his country during a difficult time.

He was known for his unconventional playing style on the tennis court, utilizing a unique mix of power and finesse to outmaneuver his opponents.

Fred Perry's iconic polo shirts, featuring the laurel wreath logo, have become a timeless fashion staple and a symbol of his sporting legacy.

Fred Perry Biography

You wanted to know

What is the origin of Fred Perry brand?

What are some popular items from Fred Perry?

Where are Fred Perry products manufactured?

Does Fred Perry offer limited edition collections?

How has Fred Perry expanded its brand beyond clothing?