Sunisa “Suni” Lee Born March 9, 2003 is an American artistic gymnast. She won the gold medal in the all-around and bronze in the uneven bars at the 2020 Olympic Games and earned bronze in both events at the 2024 Olympics. Lee also claimed the silver medal on floor and the bronze on uneven bars at the 2019 World Championships. She was a key member of the “Golden Girls” who secured the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Additionally, she helped the U.S. teams win gold at the 2019 World Championships and silver at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Lee is a two-time U.S. national champion on the uneven bars and has competed for the Auburn Tigers gymnastics team in NCAA Gymnastics, where she won an SEC title on uneven bars and an NCAA championship on balance beam.
Sunisa Lee Biography 2024
Lee made history as the first Hmong-American Olympian, as well as the first woman of Hmong descent and the first Asian American woman to win the Olympic all-around title. She has been a member of the U.S. women’s national gymnastics team six times and is the seventh-most-decorated American female gymnast, with nine world and Olympic medals. Throughout her career, Lee has received numerous accolades, including being named Sports Illustrated Female Athlete of the Year in 2021, Sportswoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation, and a spot on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. She also earned the Asia Game Changer Award.
Sunisa Lee Biography Details
| Full name | Sunisa Lee |
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| Nickname(s) | Suni |
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| Born | March 9, 2003 (age 21)
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Training location | Little Canada, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 0 in (152 cm) |
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| Discipline | Women’s artistic gymnastics |
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| Level | Senior International Elite |
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| Years on national team | 2016–2021
2024–present (USA) |
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| Club | Midwest Gymnastics Center |
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| College team | Auburn Tigers (2022–2023) |
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| Head coach(es) | Jess Graba |
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| Assistant coach(es) | Alison Lim |
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Sunisa Lee Early Life
Sunisa Lee, born Sunisa Phabsomphou on March 9, 2003, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is the daughter of Yeev Thoj, a healthcare worker. Lee is of Hmong descent, with her mother being a refugee who immigrated to the United States from Laos as a child. Raised by her mother’s long-time partner, John Lee, from the age of two, Lee considers him her father and began using his surname professionally in her teenage years. She has three half-siblings through her mother’s relationship with John Lee, and her mother also has two children from a previous relationship. Her sister, Evionn, also pursued gymnastics at the regional level.
Lee’s passion for gymnastics started at age six when she watched Olympic gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson on YouTube. Inspired by them, her father built a balance beam out of a mattress for her to practice on. After starting to perform backflips outdoors, it became clear to her parents that she needed a safer environment to develop her skills. She was enrolled in gymnastics classes at the Midwest Gymnastics Center in Little Canada, Minnesota, where she began training under coach Punnarith Koy. A year later, Lee won the all-around title at a state meet, just her second competition. By age eight, she advanced three levels, and at age 11, she qualified for elite gymnastics. Koy coached her until she was about 12, after which she transitioned to coach Jess Graba, who has guided her ever since.
Sunisa Lee Bio
Early Life | Details |
Full Name | Sunisa Phabsomphou |
Date of Birth | March 9, 2003 |
Birthplace | Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
Family Background | Sunisa Lee was raised by her mother and her mother’s partner. Her father, John Lee, became her legal guardian when she was two. |
Heritage | Hmong descent, with her mother being a refugee from Laos. |
Early Interests | Lee developed an interest in gymnastics at the age of six after watching gymnastics videos online. |
Family Life and Influence on Career
Family Role | Details |
Siblings | Lee has three half-siblings from her mother’s relationship with John Lee. |
Early Gymnastics Support | Lee’s father built a balance beam for her from a mattress, and her parents supported her passion for gymnastics. |
Key Influence | Lee credits her father as a major influence on her gymnastics journey. |
Sunisa Lee Gymnastics Career
Career Development | Information |
Early Training | Lee began training at Midwest Gymnastics Center in Little Canada, Minnesota, under coach Punnarith Koy. |
Transition to Elite | At age 11, Lee qualified for elite gymnastics and began competing at national events. |
Key Coaches | Lee switched coaches to Jess Graba, who has been with her throughout much of her career. |
Achievements (Junior) | Lee was a top performer in the junior division, winning gold on uneven bars at national championships. |
Gymnastics Achievements and Honors
Achievements | Years |
2020 Olympic Medals | Gold in All-Around, Bronze in Uneven Bars. |
2024 Olympic Medals | Bronze in All-Around, Bronze in Uneven Bars, Gold in Team Event. |
World Championships | Gold in Team (2019), Silver in Floor (2019), Bronze in Uneven Bars (2019). |
NCAA Championships | Gold in Balance Beam (2022), Silver in All-Around (2022). |
NCAA Career and Achievements
NCAA Performance | Details |
NCAA Debut | Lee made her NCAA debut in 2022, representing Auburn University. |
SEC Titles | She earned an SEC title in uneven bars during her time with Auburn. |
Perfect 10 Scores | Lee scored perfect 10s on uneven bars and balance beam during NCAA competitions. |
Career Highlights | At the NCAA Championships, she placed first in balance beam and second in all-around in 2022. |
Sunisa Lee Health Challenges
Health Issue | Facts |
Kidney Disease | Lee was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease in 2023, which led to a hiatus from gymnastics. |
Medical Treatment | She sought treatment at the Mayo Clinic and started a course of medical care for her condition. |
Current Status | Lee announced in 2024 that her kidney condition was in remission, allowing her to return to elite gymnastics. |
Return to Elite Gymnastics
Event | Information |
Comeback to Elite | After a break, Lee returned to elite gymnastics in 2023 with the goal of competing in the 2024 Olympics. |
U.S. Championships | Lee competed at the U.S. Championships in 2024, earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. |
2024 Olympic Trials | She secured her place for the 2024 Olympics by finishing second in the all-around and first on uneven bars. |
Olympic Career
Olympic Performance | Facts |
2020 Tokyo Olympics | Lee won gold in the all-around and bronze in uneven bars. |
2024 Paris Olympics | Lee contributed to the U.S. team’s gold medal win and earned bronze in the all-around and uneven bars. |
Historic Achievements | Lee became the first reigning Olympic all-around champion since Nadia Comăneci in 1980 to medal in the event at the following Olympics. |
Public Life and Media
Public Appearances | Describe |
Sponsorship Deals | Lee has secured deals with major brands like L’Oreal, Marriott, Amazon, and Crocs. |
TV Appearances | She appeared in “Dancing with the Stars” (2021) and the “Golden” docuseries (2021). |
Fashion Collaborations | Lee has worked with brands like Free People, PrettyLittleThing, and SKIMS. |
Personal Life and Challenges
Personal Life | Details |
Family Tragedies | Lee faced the tragedy of her father’s spinal injury and the loss of relatives due to COVID-19. |
Racism Incident | Lee was the victim of a racially charged incident in 2021 when she was pepper-sprayed in Los Angeles. |
Relationship Controversy | Lee spoke out about the criticisms she faced from her Hmong-American community regarding her relationship. |
Sunisa Lee’s Social Media and Influence
Social Media Presence | Points |
Influencer Status | Lee has become a prominent figure on social media, engaging with fans and promoting various brands. |
Campaigns | She has been featured in campaigns for brands like The LEGO Group and Batiste Hair. |
Role Model | Lee is seen as an inspiration to many, particularly in the Hmong-American community. |
Fashion and Style
Fashion Highlights | Details |
Signature Leotards | Lee designed a collection of leotards with GK Elite in 2021. |
Capsule Collections | Lee launched her first collection with PrettyLittleThing in 2022. |
Fashion Collaborations | Lee partnered with Lululemon in 2024 for exclusive products. |
Sunisa Lee Achievements in Gymnastics
Event | Information |
Gold Medal Events | 2020 Tokyo Olympics (All-Around), 2024 Paris Olympics (Team). |
Medal Count | Lee has earned 9 world championship and Olympic medals, including 4 golds. |
National Championships | She is a two-time U.S. national champion on uneven bars. |
Impact on the Hmong-American Community
Community Influence | Points |
First Hmong-American Olympian | Lee’s Olympic success has made her a role model for many in the Hmong community. |
Cultural Representation | Lee’s success has brought attention to Hmong culture and her unique story. |
Sunisa Lee Business Ventures
Business Engagements | Details |
Endorsements | Lee has partnered with brands such as Target, Gatorade, and Invisalign. |
Brand Ambassador Roles | She has worked with brands like KISS and SKIMS. |
Marketing Career | Lee pursued a business marketing major at Auburn before focusing on her gymnastics career. |
Awards and Recognitions
Award | Facts |
Sportswoman of the Year | Lee was named Sportswoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation in 2021. |
Time 100 | She was included in Time’s list of 100 most influential people in the world in 2021. |
Athlete of the Year | Lee was named Female Athlete of the Year by Sports Illustrated in 2021. |
Sunisa Lee Net Worth
Suni Lee’s net worth is estimated at about $3 million.
Sunisa Lee Summary
Sunisa Lee journey from a young gymnast in Minnesota to an Olympic champion is a story of perseverance, talent, and overcoming adversity. As an athlete, she has amassed an impressive array of medals and accolades, cementing her place as one of the most decorated American gymnasts in history. Beyond gymnastics, Lee has become a media and fashion icon, using her platform to inspire others. Her personal struggles, including health issues and family tragedies, have only strengthened her resolve, and she continues to be a source of inspiration for many.
