Gordon James Ramsay was born on November 8, 1966, in Johnstone, Scotland, and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, after he moved there with his family at the age of 5. Ramsay's first love was soccer, and he set his sights on a professional sports career. At the age of 15, the talented Ramsay joined the Glasgow Rangers, a pro club.
His time with the team spanned three years, until 1985 when a knee injury prematurely ended his career. Forced to start over, Ramsay returned to school, earning a degree in hotel management in 1987. After finishing his studies, Ramsay placed himself under the direction of some of Europe's top chefs.
Ramsay's migration to television began in 1996 with his appearance as a judge on the BBC competitive cooking show MasterChef. Along with his work on TV and in his restaurants, Ramsay has written more than 20 books. His various businesses have been consolidated into Gordon Ramsay Holdings Limited.
Honored for his impressive record of achievement, Ramsay was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2006. In 2013, he was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame.
Ramsay married schoolteacher Cayetana Elizabeth "Tana" Hutcheson in 1996. They have five children: Megan, twins Holly and Jack, Matilda and Oscar. In 2014, the couple established the Gordon and Tana Ramsay Foundation to help support the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.
