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Vanessa Rousso

Vanessa Ashley Rousso was born in February 1983 in White Plains, New York. With dual citizenship in France and the United States of America, Rousso has a unique international background. Her journey in love intertwined with poker as she met her husband, Chad Brown, at the Final Table of the WPT 2006. Their story is a testament to the serendipitous connections forged through the world of competitive poker.

At the age of 3, Rousso relocated from her birthplace in New York, USA, to Paris, France. After spending a short period in New York at the age of 10, she then moved to Florida. Currently, she divides her time between Hobe Sound, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rousso attained her Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science from Duke University in 2003 before enrolling in the School of Law at the University of Miami in 2004.

At the tender age of 5, Rousso delved into the world of poker. However, it wasn't until her summer break during law school that she truly took the game seriously. In later years, Rousso stumbled upon online poker, and during her college days, she continued to participate in online tournaments. It wasn't until the age of 21 that Rousso embraced live poker. Her journey began at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, conveniently situated near her alma mater, the University of Miami.

Live Poker Career

Since 2005, Rousso has achieved success in winning money at professional poker games. In 2005, she attained her first professional cash prize at Event 26 - $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Texas Hold'em during the World Series of Poker (WSOP), taking home $1,640. Rousso has reached the money finals on thirteen occasions at the WSOP in the years 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010. During the Main Event of the WSOP in 2008, she secured the 625th place. In 2007, she finished as the runner-up at the Main Event of the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) and earned a prize money of over $700,000. Other notable accomplishments include claiming the first spot at the 4th Borgata Poker Open Event #9 - No Limit Hold'em in 2006 and at the PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo - Season 5 No Limit Hold'em High Rollers in 2009.

Later on, Rousso managed to secure two cash finishes: at the WSOP, where she landed in 421st place in Event 3 - $1,000 No Limit Hold'em, and by reaching the quarter-finals of the $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship. She emerged as the victor of the $1,000 No Limit Hold'em - Ladies Event during the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, earning herself $24,725 in the process.

Career and achievements

Rousso has authored a publication concerning game theory for poker players in the United States. Prior to that, she taught poker to women and made it onto Forbes' list of the 100 Most Influential Women. She participated in the Million Dollar Challenge and served as a celebrity judge on the TV show Bank of Hollywood. Rousso has also made frequent appearances on Poker After Dark and has been featured in television coverage of the World Poker Tour. At the poker table, Rousso stands out with her distinctive appearance, easily recognizable thanks to her designer sunglasses, headphones, and cap. In 2009, she made an appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Rousso has been promoting gambling at the national and state levels. She is affiliated with PokerStars and serves as a spokesperson for GoDaddy.com. Online poker platforms recognize her as Lady Maverick, her stage name.

She rose to fame beyond the poker world through her appearance on the TV show Big Brother and her impressive third-place finish in 2015. This catapulted her into the spotlight and brought her widespread recognition. Her captivating performance on the popular reality show showcased her unique personality and skills, capturing the hearts of viewers and solidifying her place in the public eye. Now, she is not only a renowned figure in the poker community but also a household name across various entertainment platforms.