God, I've always wondered about the partners of sports stars. You know, those people who stand in the shadows while camera flashes blind their other halves? Well, Joanne Williams isn't just standing in anyone's shadow, thank you very much.

Let me tell you something about Mark Williams' wife that most folks don't realize. She's not just "the snooker player's wife" - she's a bloody entrepreneur who runs her own travel company! While her husband has been potting balls and making history as potentially the oldest world champion in snooker (he's 50 now, can you believe it?), Jo's been building her own empire.

From Holiday Romance to 25 Years of Chaos

Their love story makes me smile every time I think about it. They met in Malta, of all places! Just imagine - an English girl and a Welsh boy, working on opposite sides of teh world, somehow crossing paths on holiday.

When they returned to the UK, Mark went full romantic hero. He sent flowers EVERY WEEK to the travel agency where Jo worked. Every. Single. Week. (My partner can't even remember to text me back half the time.)

They were engaged for TEN YEARS before finally tying the knot in Cancun back in 2011. Ten years! I can barely commit to a Netflix series.

Mark told The Mirror at the time: "Jo and I have been engaged for 10 years, I've done well to get this far, and there are no other excuses I can pull out, she's taken me down this time."

He added: "We took ages deciding whether to get married at home or abroad, and in the end we both decided on Mexico. Well, I say both, Joanne picked it – so I'm getting used to married life already!"

Classic husband comment, right there.

Wait... she did WHAT when they snubbed Mark?

Jo isn't just supportive - she's fiercely protective. Back when World Snooker left Mark off promotional images, she went absolutely nuclear on social media.

Called it "massive prejudice" and questioned if it was because of his age or - get this - because he's Welsh! The woman does not hold back.

When Snooker 19's account tried to explain there were 128 players and only space for four on the cover, Jo wasn't having any of it. She pointed out how snooker gets overlooked at the Sports Personality of the Year awards too.

"How do they expect others to respect the game when they don't even support their own World Champion #baffled" she wrote.

I feel like I'd want Jo in my corner during any fight, honestly.

The Travel Pro Behind @travelpro.jo

Since 2019, Joanne has owned Maximum Travel. While her husband's been chalking up his cue, she's been chalking up business miles.

If you're curious (I was), her Instagram handle is @travelpro.jo where she shares family trips and travel tips. I spent way too long scrolling through it last night when I should've been finishing this article.

Originally from Hartlepool, Jo seems to prefer keeping things low-key despite being married to a snooker legend. Though I imagine that's getting harder with Mark making it all the way to the World Championship final against China's Zhao Xintong.

Three Boys and a Cue

Together they've got three sons - Connor, Kian, and Joel. And yes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Connor, their eldest, was born in April 2004 and started playing snooker young, though Jo has mentioned he's more interested in joining the army.

Their middle son Kian (born 2007) has apparently stepped in as a practice partner for his dad. I can just imagine the pressure... "No, Dad, I don't want to play against a THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION before school, thanks."

Joel, the youngest (born 2013), seems to be following in his dad's footsteps too. Jo shared a video of him playing against snooker legend Dennis Taylor that apparently went viral in China with over 8 million views!

"The Chinese fans always want to meet Joel," Jo wrote. "We always leave with bags full of gifts for him from his Chinese fans. The boy loves it!"

Standing By Her Half-Blind Man

Listen. One of the most touching parts of their story is how Jo's supported Mark through his recent struggles with his eyesight.

In March 2025, Mark admitted he was "half blind" and that "every single shot seems blurry" because his "eyes have gone." He decided to try contact lenses for tournaments.

Can you imagine? The man's been playing professional snooker - a game of millimeters - while basically not being able to see properly. And still making finals!

On March 1st this year, they celebrated 25 years together. Silver anniversary spent at the Great Wall of China. Not your average couple's weekend away, is it?

In her Instagram post marking the occasion, Jo wrote something that stuck with me: "An English girl, a Welsh boy working on different sides of the world, it shouldn't have worked but we proved them wrong."

Sometimes the most unlikely pairings turn out to be the strongest.

Like a snooker player and his vision, I guess.