THE HMONG AMERICAN GYMNAST WHO BECAME OLYMPIC ALL-AROUND CHAMPION
Suni Lee
b. 2003 · Female Athlete
Early Life
Suni Lee was born on March 9, 2003, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to a Hmong American family, and began gymnastics at age six after her father built her a homemade balance beam in their backyard.
She trained through her childhood while her family faced significant challenges, including a workplace accident that left her father partially paralyzed, and she has credited her family’s support as central to her development.
Rise to Fame
Lee rose through elite gymnastics ranks in the late 2010s, becoming a member of the U.S. national team and earning medals at world championships as a teenager.
She qualified for the U.S. Olympic team ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021, entering the Games as one of the team’s most consistent all-around performers.
Career Highlights
At the Tokyo Olympics, Lee won the gold medal in the individual all-around competition, becoming the first Hmong American Olympian and the fifth consecutive American woman to win the title, along with team silver and additional individual medals.
She went on to compete collegiately for Auburn University, becoming an NCAA champion and standout while managing health challenges, and later returned to elite competition ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she won additional medals as part of the U.S. team.
Personal Life
Lee has spoken openly about health struggles during her college years, including kidney-related medical issues that affected her training, and about her deep connection to her Hmong heritage and family.
She has become a prominent public figure and advocate for representation, frequently highlighting her family’s story and Hmong American identity in interviews.
Net Worth & Legacy
Suni Lee’s net worth is estimated in the millions of dollars, built through endorsement deals, appearance fees, and business ventures following her Olympic success.
As the first Hmong American Olympic champion, Lee has become a trailblazing figure in gymnastics and a source of pride and representation for the Hmong American community.