Lindsey Vonn Bio, Age, Height, Boyfriend, Husband, Family, Affairs, Career Stats, Net Worth, Olympics

From the frozen slopes of Minnesota to becoming the most decorated female speed skier in history, Lindsey Vonn has spent four decades defying gravity, anatomy, and expectations. At 41, the woman who once retired with a knee held together by titanium is mounting one final assault on Olympic glory at Milan-Cortina 2026—proving that age is just a number when you’re built from determination.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Birth & Family Background
Born Lindsey Caroline Kildow on October 18, 1984, in St. Paul, Minnesota, she entered a family where skiing wasn’t just recreation—it was heritage. Her father, Alan Lee Kildow, was a former competitive skier who had trained with the national junior team. Her grandfather strapped her into skis at age two on the bunny slopes of Milton, Wisconsin, beginning a love affair with speed that would define her existence.

The Picabo Street Connection
At age nine, Vonn met her idol, Olympic gold medalist Picabo Street, at a promotional event. The encounter proved transformative. Street watched 15-year-old Lindsey race in 1999 and was so impressed she became Lindsey’s mentor, providing the guidance that would bridge the gap between promising junior and world-class competitor.

The Move to Vail
Recognizing their daughter’s extraordinary talent, the Kildow family relocated to Vail, Colorado, when Lindsey was 12. The move meant leaving behind friends, extended family, and normal childhood experiences. She completed her high school education through the University of Missouri’s online program, allowing her to train full-time on the slopes that would eventually make her famous.

Junior Career Dominance
Under legendary coach Erich Sailer at Buck Hill, Minnesota, Vonn developed the technical precision that would become her trademark. She became the first American woman to win the prestigious Trofeo Topolino in Italy—a competition that had launched the careers of European legends. She medaled at five consecutive World Junior Alpine Skiing Championships (2000–2005), signaling that American skiing had found its next superstar.

Career Journey

Olympic Debut & Early World Cup (2002–2006)

Salt Lake City 2002
At 17, Vonn made her Olympic debut at the Salt Lake City Games, finishing sixth in combined and 32nd in slalom. While modest results, they announced the arrival of a teenager who wasn’t intimidated by the sport’s biggest stage.

World Cup Breakthrough
Between Olympics, Vonn steadily climbed the World Cup ranks. By 2004, she was regularly finishing in the top 10. Her first podium came in 2004, her first victory in 2006 at Lake Louise, Canada—a venue that would become her personal playground.

Torino 2006
The 2006 Olympics brought heartbreak and heroism. A brutal training crash sent her to the hospital, yet she returned to finish eighth in downhill, seventh in Super-G, and 14th in slalom. The performance revealed her pain tolerance and competitive fire.

Golden Era (2007–2013)

Vancouver 2010: Olympic Immortality
The 2010 season represented Vonn at her peak. She won five consecutive downhill races before the Olympics, then survived a badly bruised shin to claim gold in the downhill—becoming the first American woman to win Olympic gold in the event. She added bronze in Super-G, cementing her status as the world’s dominant speed skier.

World Cup Dominance
From 2008 to 2012, Vonn won four overall World Cup titles (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012), becoming only the second American woman to achieve three consecutive overall titles. She collected 20 crystal globes total—surpassing Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 19 season titles.

World Championship Glory
At the 2009 World Championships in Val d’Isère, Vonn won gold in both downhill and Super-G, announcing her supremacy on the sport’s biggest stages outside the Olympics.

The Injury Spiral
Success came with catastrophic physical costs. A 2013 crash at the World Championships in Schladming, Austria, shredded her right knee—tearing the ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus. The injury forced her to miss the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where she watched the competition from a couch, unable to defend her downhill title.

The Comeback & PyeongChang (2014–2018)

Resilience Personified
Vonn’s return from multiple knee reconstructions became as legendary as her victories. She returned to win bronze in the downhill at the 2017 World Championships, calling it “feels like gold” given her journey.

PyeongChang 2018
At her fourth Olympics, the 33-year-old Vonn won bronze in the downhill, becoming one of only four U.S. skiers with three or more Olympic medals. She finished sixth in Super-G but crashed in the combined, ending her final Olympic appearance of her first career with mixed emotions.

Retirement in 2019
After 82 World Cup victories—then the most ever by a woman—Vonn retired in February 2019. Her body had simply run out of ligaments to tear and bones to break. She walked away as the greatest female speed skier in history.

The Unthinkable Comeback (2024–2026)

The Titanium Knee
Following retirement, Vonn underwent partial knee replacement surgery. In 2024, something unexpected happened: the pain disappeared. For the first time in a decade, she could train without agony. In November 2024, she announced her return to competitive skiing at age 40.

World Cup Success
Her comeback defied medical logic. In December 2024, she finished second in the Super-G at Sun Valley—2,565 days after her last World Cup podium. In January 2025, she won a World Cup race in St. Moritz, becoming the oldest woman to win an alpine World Cup event. She added another victory in Cortina d’Ampezzo, proving her speed remained elite.

Milan-Cortina 2026
Vonn will compete in her fifth Olympics at age 41, making her one of the oldest alpine ski racers in Olympic history. She aims to become the oldest female medalist in alpine skiing history, a record that would cap one of sport’s most remarkable careers.

Career Stats & Records

Major Records:

• First American woman to win Olympic downhill gold
• Most World Cup wins by an American (male or female)
• Most small globes won by a woman: 16
• One of six women to win World Cup races in all five disciplines
• Oldest woman to win a World Cup race (age 40, January 2025)

Personal Life

Marriage to Thomas Vonn
In 2007, Lindsey married Thomas Vonn, a former U.S. Ski Team member who also served as her coach. The relationship blended professional and personal partnership, with Thomas instrumental in her technical development. They divorced in 2013, but Lindsey kept her married name professionally, establishing “Vonn” as one of sport’s most recognizable brands.

Tiger Woods Era (2013–2015)
Vonn’s relationship with golf legend Tiger Woods dominated sports headlines from 2013 to 2015. They met at a charity event in 2012 and announced their relationship via Facebook in March 2013. The couple attended each other’s competitions and appeared in Red Bull marketing together. They split in May 2015, citing “incredibly hectic lives” and the difficulty of maintaining two global sports careers.

P.K. Subban Engagement (2018–2020)
In 2018, Vonn began dating NHL defenseman P.K. Subban. In a modern twist on tradition, Vonn proposed to Subban in August 2019, and he proposed back in December 2019. The engagement represented a blending of two of North America’s most charismatic sports personalities. However, they announced their split in December 2020, stating they had “grown apart.”

Diego Osorio Chapter (2021–2025)
Vonn’s most recent relationship was with Spanish entrepreneur and actor Diego Osorio, founder of Lobos 1707 tequila. They met through mutual friends in May 2021 and maintained a relatively low-profile relationship despite attending NBA games, the US Open, and the 2024 Paris Olympics together. In February 2025, Vonn confirmed their amicable split, noting she would spend Valentine’s Day with her two dogs.

Current Status
As of early 2026, Vonn is officially single and focused entirely on her Olympic comeback. She has spoken about embracing singlehood, stating that while the road to Milan-Cortina can be lonely, she feels fortunate to pursue her passion.

Family & Pets
Vonn remains close to her family, particularly her sister Karin. She is famously devoted to her dogs, who have become her constant companions during training and recovery. Her dogs often appear in her social media posts and have accompanied her to competitions.

Philanthropy
The Lindsey Vonn Foundation, established in 2015, empowers underserved girls through scholarships and athletic programs. The foundation reflects Vonn’s commitment to using her platform for social impact, having raised millions for girls’ sports participation.

Controversies

The Tiger Woods Media Storm
While not controversial in the traditional sense, Vonn’s relationship with Tiger Woods subjected her to intense media scrutiny. The paparazzi attention and public dissection of their relationship took an emotional toll, ultimately contributing to their separation.

Body Image & Media Criticism
Vonn has faced criticism about her athletic build and muscular physique throughout her career, with some media outlets focusing on her appearance rather than achievements. She has been vocal about embracing strength over traditional femininity, becoming an advocate for body positivity among female athletes.

Retirement Reversal Skepticism
When Vonn announced her 2024 comeback, some critics questioned whether she was risking long-term health for glory. Given her history of catastrophic injuries—including multiple knee reconstructions and a partial knee replacement—medical professionals debated the wisdom of returning to a sport that had already taken so much from her body. Her success has largely silenced doubters.

Social Media Transparency
Vonn has been criticized for being overly candid on social media, particularly regarding her injuries and personal struggles. However, this transparency has also endeared her to fans who appreciate her authenticity in an era of carefully curated athlete personas.

Awards & Achievements

Olympic Honors:

• Gold Medal – Downhill, Vancouver 2010
• Bronze Medal – Super-G, Vancouver 2010
• Bronze Medal – Downhill, PyeongChang 2018

World Championships:

• Gold – Downhill & Super-G, Val d’Isère 2009
• Silver – Downhill & Super-G, Åre 2007
• Silver – Downhill, Garmisch-Partenkirchen 2011
• Bronze – Super-G, Schladming 2013
• Bronze – Downhill, Beaver Creek 2015
• Bronze – Downhill, St. Moritz 2017
• Bronze – Downhill, Åre 2019

World Cup Titles:

• Overall Champion: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
• Downhill Champion: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016
• Super-G Champion: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015
• Combined Champion: 2010, 2011, 2012

Other Honors:

• Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year (2010)
• USOC Sportswoman of the Year (2010)
• Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year (2010)
• ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete (2010, 2011)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

On her comeback at 40:
“I feel like the bionic woman. I have a titanium knee, and I’m skiing better than I have in years. Age is just a number when you have the right mindset.”

On pain and perseverance:
“When you fall, get back up. I’ve fallen more times than I can count, literally. But every time I got back up, I became stronger.”

On being the best:
“I don’t want to be the best female skier. I want to be the best skier, period.”

Favorites

Salary & Net Worth

Career Earnings
Unlike team sports with guaranteed contracts, alpine skiing pays only through results. At her peak, Vonn earned approximately $30,000 per World Cup victory. Her career prize money totals roughly $2 million—a modest sum that belies her marketability.

Endorsement Empire
Vonn built her $14 million net worth through strategic brand partnerships. Her portfolio includes:

• Red Bull (long-term ambassador)
• Under Armour (featured alongside dwayne johnson in Project Rock)
• Rolex
• Land Rover
• Head (ski equipment)

During her first retirement, these brands maintained relationships, proving the “Vonn” brand transcended active competition.

Business Ventures

• Après Productions: Her documentary production company
• Athena Capital: Venture capital firm where she serves on the board
• Utah Royals: NWSL soccer team investment (2024)
• Real Estate: Successful property flipping in Vail, West Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, and Miami Beach

Current Income
As an active athlete again, Vonn’s 2026 income includes prize money, renewed endorsement deals tied to her Olympic comeback, speaking engagements, and returns from her investment portfolio.

Interesting Facts

1. Language Skills: Vonn speaks fluent German, essential for navigating the European-dominated World Cup circuit.
2. Lake Louise Dominance: She won 18 times at Lake Louise, Canada—more than any skier at any single venue in history. The resort should probably rename a run after her.
3. The Body Slam: Her muscular build comes from genetics and necessity; she generates forces of up to 3 Gs during downhill runs, requiring extraordinary core and leg strength.
4. Titanium Knee: Her partial knee replacement contains so much metal she jokes about setting off airport security—though she hasn’t actually had that problem.
5. Picabo’s Protégé: Her mentor Picabo Street called her “the future of American skiing” when Lindsey was just 15. The prediction proved conservative.
6. Golf Talent: Vonn plays golf to a single-digit handicap and has considered playing professionally after skiing.
7. Documentary Producer: Through Après Productions, she’s developing content about female athletes and sports stories.
8. Olympic Record: She will be 41 at Milan-Cortina 2026, making her one of the oldest alpine ski racers to compete at the Olympics.

Did You Know Already?

• The Name Change: She competed as Lindsey Kildow at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics, switching to Vonn after her marriage in 2007.
• Sister Act: Her sister Karin was also a competitive skier, though not at the elite level.
• The Proposal: Vonn proposed to P.K. Subban first, making headlines for reversing traditional gender roles in engagements.
• Tequila Connection: Her ex-boyfriend Diego Osorio’s Lobos 1707 tequila counts LeBron James as an investor.
• Injury Count: Vonn has suffered so many injuries she’s lost count, but estimates suggest 8+ major surgeries and 20+ significant injuries.
• Mikaela Rivalry: While often compared to Mikaela Shiffrin, the two are actually close friends and mutual admirers, with Vonn actively mentoring the younger star.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @lindseyvonn – 2.1 million+ followers
• X (Twitter): @lindseyvonn – Active for updates
• Facebook: Lindsey Vonn Official
• TikTok: @lindseyvonn
• LinkedIn: Professional profile for business ventures
• YouTube: Lindsey Vonn channel for documentaries and behind-the-scenes content

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Lindsey Vonn in 2026?
Lindsey Vonn is 41 years old, born October 18, 1984. She will compete at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics at age 41, making her one of the oldest female alpine ski racers in Olympic history.

What is Lindsey Vonn’s net worth?
As of 2026, Lindsey Vonn has an estimated net worth of $14 million, built through prize money, endorsements with Red Bull and Under Armour, real estate investments, and her production company.

Who is Lindsey Vonn dating now?
As of February 2025, Lindsey Vonn is single. She confirmed her split from Diego Osorio and stated she is focusing on her Olympic comeback. She was previously married to Thomas Vonn, engaged to P.K. Subban, and famously dated Tiger Woods.

How many Olympic medals does Lindsey Vonn have?
Vonn has three Olympic medals: Gold in downhill (Vancouver 2010), bronze in Super-G (Vancouver 2010), and bronze in downhill (PyeongChang 2018). She missed the 2014 Sochi Olympics due to injury.

Why did Lindsey Vonn come out of retirement?
After retiring in 2019 due to chronic knee pain, Vonn underwent partial knee replacement surgery. When the pain subsided in 2024, she realized she could ski competitively again without agony, launching one of sport’s most remarkable comebacks at age 40.

How many World Cup races has Lindsey Vonn won?
Vonn has won 84 World Cup races—the second-most of any woman in history (behind Mikaela Shiffrin’s 100+) and third-most overall. She held the women’s record from 2019 until Shiffrin surpassed it in 2023.

What injuries has Lindsey Vonn suffered?
Vonn’s injury list includes multiple ACL and MCL tears, fractured tibial plateau, broken ankle, broken arm, concussion, and partial knee replacement. She has undergone at least 8 major surgeries.

Conclusion

Lindsey Vonn’s biography reads like a manual on human resilience. From the 17-year-old debutante at Salt Lake City to the 41-year-old comeback queen preparing for Milan-Cortina, she has redefined what female athletes can achieve—and how long they can achieve it. With 84 World Cup victories, three Olympic medals, and a body rebuilt with titanium and determination, Vonn isn’t just the greatest female speed skier in history; she’s a testament to the power of refusing to quit.

Whether she medals at the 2026 Olympics or not, her legacy is secure: she proved that champions aren’t defined by how they fall, but by how they rise. And Lindsey Vonn has risen more times than perhaps any athlete in winter sports history.