Alexander Megos is a 33-year-old German rock climber, born 12 August 1993, who made the first 9a onsight in history.
He stands about 5'8" (173 cm), though sources list 170–175 cm. He has climbed for Germany at two Olympics and holds 10 World Cup podiums. No verified net worth exists, and public estimates run from roughly $100,000 to $1 million. [1][2][3][10]
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Alexander "Alex" Megos |
| Born | 12 August 1993, Erlangen, Germany [1] |
| Age (October 2026) | 33 |
| Height | About 173 cm (5'8"), range 170–175 cm [1][2][13] |
| Occupation | Professional rock climber and competitor |
| Signature feat | First 9a onsight, Estado Crítico, 24 March 2013 [1] |
| Hardest routes established | Two at 9b+ (5.15c): Perfecto Mundo and Bibliographie [7] |
| Net worth | Unverified, estimated $100K–$1M [10] |
Who Is Alexander Megos?
Megos is a German climber known for fast ascents of very hard routes. [1][3]
Early life and family
- He started climbing at age six with his father, Jorgos. [11]
- By age ten, the two climbed multi-pitch routes together. [11]
- He grew up in the Frankenjura, a famous German limestone region. [11]
- He has a younger sister. [11]
How did he become famous?
He was 19 when he onsighted Estado Crítico in Siurana, Spain. Onsight means he climbed it first try, with no practice and no demonstration. [1]
Picture that for a second. One attempt, no second chances, on a route graded 9a.
Career timeline
- 2006: Starts competition climbing. [1]
- 2013: Makes the world's first 9a onsight. [1]
- 2021: Competes in Tokyo, finishing 9th in qualification. [13]
- 2024: Finishes 11th in men's Boulder & Lead in Paris. [8]
- 2025: Publishes his autobiography, Frei am Fels. [9]
- 2026: Sends routes up to 9b and boulders up to V14/15. [4][6]
How Tall Is Alexander Megos?
No source agrees exactly. Use 173 cm as the safest middle value.
What Is Alexander Megos's Net Worth?
No public source verifies his net worth. Athletes rarely publish earnings, so every figure below is an estimate.
| Estimate | Range | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Celebsmoney (2026) | $100,000–$1 million | Unverified [10] |
| Older listing (2020) | $1–5 million | Marked "Not Verified" [2] |
Other profiles show the same caution. GMRU's Dub Bridge profile gives a labeled 2026 range of $500,000 to $1.2 million rather than a single number.
Alexander Megos 2026 Update
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| January | Ticked ten boulders at V11 or harder in Fontainebleau, including two V14s [12] |
| March | Second ascent of Le Bruit de l'Acid (9b) in four sessions [6] |
| May | Backed the EU's Natura 2000 conservation network [7] |
| 8 July | First ascent of Frankenschelle V14/15 in Germany [4] |
| 21 July | Flashed Baby Cakes (9a) in Australia, his second confirmed 9a flash [3] |
| 23 September | Repeated Rapture of the Deep (9a+) in Australia [5] |
What Is His Olympic and Competition Record?
He competed at Tokyo and Paris but did not medal at either. Lead, the rope discipline, is his strength. [8][13]
| Record | Result |
|---|---|
| World Cup podiums | 10 [3] |
| World Championship medals | 3 [3] |
| Tokyo 2020 (held 2021) | 9th in qualification [13] |
| Paris 2024, Boulder & Lead | 11th [8] |
Alexander Megos Personal Life
Megos keeps his love life private. I found no confirmed public statement about a partner, so this article names none. Some public figures guard their families the same way. GMRU's profile of Royce Renee Woods shows how low-key a famous family member's life can be.
| Topic | What is public |
|---|---|
| Diet | Says he follows a vegan lifestyle [7] |
| Travel | Says he flies less to cut his footprint [7] |
| Activism | Supports nature protection around climbing areas [7] |
| Languages | Speaks a little Greek and visits Greece often [1] |
| Health | Told Die Welt in 2025 he had anorexia as a teenager and calls himself 98 percent recovered [9] |
| Book | Frei am Fels covers setbacks and performance pressure [9] |
If the health topic affects you, a doctor or counselor can help.
Where does he live?
- He grew up in Erlangen and the Frankenjura. [1]
- No verified current address is public.
- For another athlete's home story, read GMRU's Mike Vrabel profile.
- For more profiles, browse the GMRU Biography hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Alexander Megos?
A: Alexander Megos is 33 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 12 August 1993 in Erlangen, Germany. This applies until his next birthday on 12 August 2027.
Q: How tall is Alexander Megos?
A: Alexander Megos is about 173 cm (5'8") tall. Published figures range from 170 to 175 cm depending on the source. No official federation measurement is public.
Q: What is Alexander Megos's net worth?
A: No verified net worth exists for Alexander Megos. One 2026 estimate lists $100,000 to $1 million. Climbers rarely disclose sponsorship or income, so any figure is a guess.
Q: Why is Alexander Megos famous?
A: Alexander Megos is famous for making the world's first 9a onsight at age 19. He later established two 9b+ routes and became a World Cup medalist. His fame comes from fast ascents of very hard routes.
Q: Has Alexander Megos won an Olympic medal?
A: No, Alexander Megos has not won an Olympic medal. He placed 9th in Tokyo qualification and 11th in Paris Boulder & Lead. He has three World Championship medals instead.
Q: Is Alexander Megos vegan?
A: Yes, Alexander Megos says he follows a vegan lifestyle. He links the choice to reducing his environmental footprint. This reflects a 2026 statement and may change.