A woman has made it to the final event of the World Series of Poker, breaking the barrier since 1995. She is Leo Margets, a professional poker player from Spain, and she was the last woman standing at the WSOP Main Event in 2009 as well. Margets notably won a WSOP bracelet in 2021 and is a member of the Spanish Poker Player Hall of Fame.

History was made at the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event as Leo Margets became the first woman in three decades to reach the prestigious final table. The poker pro from Spain now sits among the final nine players vying for the $10 million top prize, with each guaranteed to take home at least $1 million.

The milestone makes Margets the first female finalist since Barbara Enright placed fifth in 1995, marking a groundbreaking moment for women in poker. "It's so unreal," Margets said following her final table qualification. "Right now, it's like a dream. It means so much, like how lucky I am to live this."

A career 18 years in the making

Margets, 41, was born in Barcelona and began her poker journey in 2007 after being introduced to the game on a casual date. What started as a curiosity quickly evolved into a passion, then a profession. She soon left her corporate job after completing a master's in management and communications at Madrid's IE Business School to pursue poker full-time.

Her breakout moment came during the 2009 WSOP Main Event when she finished 27th in a field of over 6,500 players, where she earned $352,832 and the "Last Woman Standing" title. That performance catapulted her into the poker spotlight and kickstarted a career that has since seen her amass over $2 million in live tournament winnings across 121 recorded cashes, according to The Hendon Mob Poker Database.

A bracelet winner and Spanish Hall of Famer

In 2021, Margets claimed her first WSOP bracelet by winning $1,500 The Closer. She bested a field of 1,903 players, defeating Alex Kulev heads-up to take home $376,850. That same year, she was inducted into the Spanish Poker Hall of Fame with fellow countryman Adrian Mateos, solidifying her status as one of Spain’s most prominent poker figures.

Her consistent success and presence in the game have long positioned her as a role model, particularly for aspiring female players in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Now, with a shot at the WSOP Main Event title, she stands on the verge of making even greater history.

More than a poker pro

Margets' resume extends far beyond the poker table. A multifaceted personality, she is an accomplished author, having written or co-authored three books that apply poker thinking to life and business decisions. Her most recent work, released in 2017, delves into the game's strategic and psychological insights and how they relate to personal growth and resilience.

She's also no stranger to the spotlight outside poker. In 2014, she competed on Spain's version of Survivor, known as Supervivientes, and in 2023, she co-won Traitors España, a reality competition show, alongside professional boxer Joana Pastrana.

Her public speaking engagements on risk management, mental toughness, and decision-making continue to draw attention across both business and gaming circles.

Final table dreams and poker history in the making

Heading into Tuesday's final table, Margets sits fifth in chips out of the nine remaining players from a colossal 9,735-entry field. While the pressure is immense, Margets has long proven she thrives under it.

Should she go all the way, she would not only become the first woman to win the WSOP Main Event but also etch her name into the annals of poker history with one of the most iconic victories ever seen in the game.