What a winner! Gymnast Sunisa “Suni” Lee helped Team USA bring home the gold in the women’s all-around competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her incredible showing during both the 2024 and 2020 Olympics has made her an American hero — and fans are curious how much money the Minnesota native makes from her gymnastics career.
What Is Olympic Gymnast Suni Lee’s Net Worth?
Suni’s estimated net worth is $3 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, that number could be bumped up after the team’s gold medal win in the 2024 Olympics. While the International Olympic Committee doesn’t pay the athletes for their wins, their home country typically does offer some sort of financial reward.
How Much Money Has Suni Lee Made From Earning Medals?
According to a report from CNBC on July 31, 2024, the United States pays their athletes who win gold medals $38,000. Those who win silver medals receive $23,000 and bronze medal winners get paid $15,000.
The Hmong starlet has won three medals total with both of her Olympic appearances — one gold for all-around in 2020, one silver with the rest of Team USA the same year, another gold for Team USA in 2024, followed by a bronze medal win during the women’s individual all-around at the Paris Olympics. That prize money will also factor into her net worth.
The Auburn University student won gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Before she took home those accolades, Suni won big at the 2017 Pacific Rim Championships in Medellín, Colombia. She took home one gold and three silver medals at the junior-level competition. Though the amount is unclear, it appears those wins each come with prize money.
Suni also has the ability to broker major endorsement deals as a result of her historic wins. Additionally, she has the capability to partner with brands for paid social media posts considering her whopping 2.2 million followers.
Suni Lee Said the Delay for the 2020 Olympics Was ‘Difficult’
Suni opened up in July 2021 about how difficult it was to wait for the Olympics when it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was originally supposed to take place in 2020, but it was pushed back to 2021.
“I just didn’t want to see myself fall back,” she told Elle at the time. “I don’t want to disappoint my coaches or my parents.” However, it seems she did just the opposite and came out of quarantine stronger than ever.
In fact, even Suni’s gymnastics hero, Nastia Liukin — who is a five-time Olympic medalist herself — saw greatness in her. “Her abilities as a gymnast, especially her bar routine, are incredible,” the Russian-born athlete told the outlet. “But it’s the unparalleled mental strength that she has shown during the most difficult time of her life that make her the person she is.”
Suni Lee Was Diagnosed With Incurable Kidney Disease in 2023
In 2023, Suni revealed that she had been diagnosed with two forms of incurable kidney disease, but she didn’t specify which ones. However, she did say that the conditions were “rare.”
“Healthwise, I’m doing really good right now,” Suni told SELF in an interview published in July 2024. “We know what to do and the right medication to take. I’m getting a lot stronger. I’ve been able to train a lot more, and I am just so happy, because I really didn’t think I would be here. To be here is quite incredible.”
