Abby Wambach

Abby Wambach is one of the greatest female soccer players in history and was the all-time leading international goal scorer (male or female) at the time of her retirement. Born in Rochester, New York, as the youngest of seven children, Wambach developed her competitive drive early and became a standout player at the University of Florida, where she won the NCAA championship in 1998 and was a two-time All-American.

Wambach joined the US Women’s National Team in 2001 and quickly established herself as one of the most dominant strikers in international soccer. Standing 5’11, her aerial ability was unmatched, and she became famous for her powerful headers. She scored 184 international goals over her career, a record that stood until it was broken by Christine Sinclair. Her most iconic moment came in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal against Brazil, when she scored a dramatic header in the 122nd minute to keep the US alive in the tournament, widely considered one of the greatest goals in soccer history.

Wambach won two Olympic gold medals (2004, 2012) and capped her career by winning the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, her final major tournament. She was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012 and was a six-time US Soccer Athlete of the Year. After retiring in 2015, she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2019. She has been a vocal advocate for equal pay in women’s sports and LGBTQ+ rights.

Since retirement, Wambach has built a successful career as a motivational speaker and author. Her memoir “Forward” was a New York Times bestseller, and her book “Wolfpack” became a popular motivational guide based on her viral commencement speech at Barnard College. With a net worth estimated at $4 million, Wambach earns through speaking engagements, book royalties, media appearances, and brand partnerships. She is married to author and speaker Glennon Doyle.