Sunisa Lee

Sunisa Lee is an American artistic gymnast who made history as the first Hmong American to win an Olympic gold medal. Born on March 9, 2003, in St. Paul, Minnesota, she was raised in a tight-knit Hmong community and began gymnastics at the age of six. Her father, John Lee, was her biggest supporter, and after he was paralyzed in an accident in 2019, Sunisa dedicated herself even more fiercely to the sport, drawing strength from her family’s resilience.

Lee’s breakthrough moment came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), where she won the individual all-around gold medal after Simone Biles withdrew from the competition. Rather than being seen as a default winner, Lee delivered a stunning performance that demonstrated she was a worthy champion in her own right, particularly on the uneven bars where she is considered one of the best in the world. She also won a silver medal in the team event and a bronze on uneven bars at those Games.

After the Olympics, Lee enrolled at Auburn University, where she competed in NCAA gymnastics and became one of the most popular athletes in college sports. She helped bring unprecedented attention to Auburn’s gymnastics program. Despite being diagnosed with kidney-related health issues in 2023, Lee made a remarkable comeback to elite gymnastics, earning a spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic team for the Paris Games, where she won a gold medal in the team event alongside Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey.

Lee’s net worth of approximately $5 million reflects her Olympic success and the significant endorsement deals that followed. She has partnered with brands including Visa, Orangetheory Fitness, and Amazon, and appeared in numerous national advertising campaigns. Her story of overcoming adversity and representing her community has resonated widely, making her one of the most marketable athletes in American gymnastics.