Few stories track a fall from grace as sharply as Oscar Pistorius’s — from Olympic trailblazer to convicted murderer. Now, more than a decade after the shooting that ended Reeva Steenkamp’s life, Pistorius is out of prison, living under parole in Pretoria, and reportedly building a new relationship.
Born: 22 November 1986 ·
Convicted: Murder of Reeva Steenkamp (2014) ·
Parole granted: January 2024 ·
Current status: Parolee in South Africa ·
Sprint career: Paralympic and Olympic athlete (2004–2012)
Quick snapshot
- Parole granted January 2024 (South China Morning Post (Hong Kong‑based news))
- Convicted of murder of Reeva Steenkamp (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Double amputee since infancy (World Athletics (governing body))
- Exact nature of relationship with Rita Greyling (close friend vs romantic partner) (East Coast Radio (South African broadcaster))
- Specific location of residence within Pretoria (Explain.co.za (South African news))
- Future athletic or public appearances (SCMP)
- Daily routine and specific activities while on parole (East Coast Radio)
- Whether he has had any direct contact with the Steenkamp family since release (BBC News (British public broadcaster))
- Remains on parole with supervision until 2029 (Explain.co.za)
- Ongoing speculation about relationship with Rita Greyling (East Coast Radio)
These six facts define Oscar Pistorius’s public identity, from birth to conviction.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius |
| Date of birth | 22 November 1986 |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | Former sprinter, convicted murderer |
| Criminal status | Parolee since January 2024 |
| Victim | Reeva Steenkamp (died Feb 14, 2013) |
What is happening to Oscar Pistorius now?
Parole conditions and restrictions
- Pistorius was granted parole on after serving 8 years and 5 months — two‑thirds of his 13‑year sentence (East Coast Radio (South African broadcaster)).
- He must attend anger‑management classes and rehabilitation programs (Explain.co.za (South African news)).
- His movements are restricted: he cannot leave the Pretoria area without permission from his parole officer (East Coast Radio (South African broadcaster)).
Public appearances and media interest
- Since release, Pistorius has kept a low profile, but the relationship with Rita Greyling drew renewed media attention in late 2024 (People.com (US entertainment magazine)).
- A source told East Coast Radio that the two had been romantically involved for around three months.
The implication: Pistorius’s reintegration into society is tightly controlled, but public scrutiny remains intense.
Where is Oscar Pistorius living now?
Location and residence details
- Pistorius lives in a guarded cottage on his uncle Arnold’s fortified estate in Pretoria (East Coast Radio).
- East Coast Radio similarly reported that he is staying on family property (East Coast Radio).
- The cottage is described as secure, with limited public access (Explain.co.za).
Legal restrictions on movement
- He is not permitted to leave the Pretoria metropolitan area without explicit permission from his parole officer (Explain.co.za).
- International travel is banned for the duration of his parole, which runs until 2029 (BBC News (British public broadcaster)).
Pistorius’s limited mobility means his life now revolves around a small Pretoria perimeter. For crime‑watchers and the South African justice system, the location reduces the risk of public confrontation but also keeps the narrative — and the victim’s memory — pinned to a single address.
The pattern: His living situation ensures security but also confines him to a limited geography, a daily reminder of his fall.
Who is Oscar Pistorius’s reported new love, family friend Rita Greyling?
Who is Rita Greyling?
- Rita Greyling is a businesswoman from Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, and a family friend of the Pistorius family, according to South African media (East Coast Radio; Explain.co.za).
- She reportedly works at Inlumi and previously held roles at Nissan and Ernst & Young (South China Morning Post).
- Sources describe her as a family friend of the Pistorius family (East Coast Radio).
How did the relationship become known?
- South African media broke the story in late 2024, citing anonymous sources close to the couple (People.com).
- East Coast Radio reported that the relationship grew out of longstanding family ties and had been ongoing for approximately three months (East Coast Radio).
- Some outlets noted that Greyling’s appearance reportedly resembles that of Reeva Steenkamp, a detail that sparked public outrage (Explain.co.za).
Rita Greyling is positioned as a supportive figure in Pistorius’s reintegration, yet the public reaction — amplified by the resemblance to Steenkamp — means the relationship itself becomes a new flashpoint. For the Steenkamp family, each news cycle reopens a wound that parole conditions cannot heal.
What this means: The relationship, whether romantic or not, has become a new focal point for public anger, complicating any attempt at a quiet life.
Why did Oscar Pistorius shoot Reeva Steenkamp?
Events of February 14, 2013
On Valentine’s Day 2013, Pistorius fired four shots through a locked bathroom door at his home in Pretoria, killing Reeva Steenkamp, his girlfriend (BBC News). The time was around 3:00 a.m. Steenkamp was struck in the hip, arm, and head.
Trial arguments and verdict
- Pistorius claimed he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder, testifying that he felt vulnerable due to his disability (BBC News).
- The prosecution argued he acted intentionally after a heated argument. Neighbors testified to hearing shouting before the shots (Wikipedia (trial coverage)).
- Initially convicted of culpable homicide in 2014, the Supreme Court of Appeal upgraded the verdict to murder in 2015 (Wikipedia).
Appeals and final conviction
- In 2016, the Constitutional Court upheld the murder conviction, and Pistorius was sentenced to 13 years and 5 months (Wikipedia).
- He served 8 years and 5 months before being granted parole in 2024.
The intruder defence carried credibility for a man who had lived without legs since infancy. But the prosecution’s counter — that he knew it was Steenkamp — won on appeal. The implication: Pistorius’s disability was a factor in his story, not a get‑out‑of‑jail card.
The catch: Even with parole, the core question of his motive remains contested, and the legal process only settled the verdict, not the narrative.
Can Oscar Pistorius walk without prosthetics?
His physical condition as a double amputee
Pistorius was born with congenital absence of the fibulae in both legs and had both legs amputated below the knee at 11 months (World Athletics). He uses carbon‑fibre prosthetics for mobility and ran on J‑shaped blades during his athletic career.
Courtroom demonstration in 2014
- During his trial, Pistorius demonstrated that he could walk short distances without his prosthetics by balancing on his stumps (BBC News).
- The demonstration was intended to show vulnerability and support his claim that he felt threatened by a perceived intruder (Wikipedia).
Pistorius’s ability to move without blades was a courtroom tactic, not a measure of daily mobility. For any observer, the image of a double amputee walking unassisted added a layer of sympathy — a factor that may still inform public perception of his parole.
The implication: His disability was a key element in his defense, but the courts ultimately found it did not excuse the killing.
Timeline: From Olympic heights to parole
The timeline below charts the key dates in Pistorius’s life from his birth to his current parole.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oscar Pistorius born in Pretoria, South Africa. | |
| 2004 | Wins first Paralympic gold medal in Athens. (Wikipedia) |
| 2012 | Competes in London Olympics – first double amputee to do so. (World Athletics) |
| Shoots and kills Reeva Steenkamp at his home. (BBC News) | |
| 2014 | Convicted of culpable homicide; later upgraded to murder on appeal. (Wikipedia (trial coverage)) |
| 2016 | Sentenced to 13 years and 5 months for murder. (Wikipedia) |
| Granted parole after serving 8 years and 5 months. (East Coast Radio) | |
| 2024–2025 | Reported to be in a relationship with Rita Greyling; lives under parole supervision. (East Coast Radio) |
Confirmed facts
- Parole granted January 2024 (SCMP)
- Convicted of murder of Reeva Steenkamp (Wikipedia)
- Double amputee athlete (World Athletics)
- Current residence in Pretoria (East Coast Radio)
- Relationship with Rita Greyling reported by multiple sources (People.com)
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of relationship with Rita Greyling (close friend vs romantic partner) (SCMP)
- Specific location of residence within Pretoria (Explain.co.za)
- Future athletic or public appearances (SCMP)
- Daily routine and specific activities while on parole (East Coast Radio)
- Whether he has had any direct contact with the Steenkamp family since release (BBC News)
“I can’t forget that my daughter died. She is gone for life, and yet this man can go and have a relationship.”
— June Steenkamp, mother of Reeva, in a statement to South African media (BBC News)
“I believed that there was an intruder in my home. I acted out of fear, not anger.”
— Oscar Pistorius, during his trial testimony (BBC News)
“The sentence is for the crime of murder, not for the person’s disability. The gravity of the offence must be the focus.”
— Judge Thokozile Masipa, sentencing remarks (Wikipedia (trial coverage))
For South Africa, the Pistorius story remains a mirror of justice and second chances. The parole board granted freedom; the public watches warily. For the Steenkamp family, the choice is clear: to keep speaking, or let the silence erase what happened on Valentine’s Day 2013.
For a detailed look at his financial situation and parole conditions, see Oscar Pistoriuss net worth and parole.
Frequently asked questions
What is Oscar Pistorius’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but before his imprisonment Pistorius earned from endorsements and competition prizes. During parole he is not permitted to engage in paid public appearances, so his current income is limited.
How long did Oscar Pistorius serve in prison?
He served 8 years and 5 months from 2014 to January 2024, out of a 13‑year and 5‑month sentence for murder (per East Coast Radio).
Did Oscar Pistorius have a relationship with Reeva Steenkamp?
Yes, Steenkamp was his girlfriend at the time of her death. They had been dating for several months (BBC News).
What are the conditions of Oscar Pistorius’s parole?
He must attend anger‑management classes, cannot consume alcohol, and must obtain permission to leave the Pretoria area (Explain.co.za).
Is Oscar Pistorius allowed to travel outside South Africa?
No. His parole conditions prohibit international travel until his sentence expires in 2029 (BBC News).
What was Oscar Pistorius’s athletic career like?
He won multiple Paralympic gold medals and became the first double amputee to compete in the Olympics (London 2012) (World Athletics).
Who is Reeva Steenkamp?
Reeva Steenkamp was a South African model and law graduate who was killed by Oscar Pistorius on 14 February 2013 (BBC News).
Jack Lawson is Senior Reporter at Reef Brief, covering breaking stories and explainers.