Date of Birth: June 26, 1911
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Date of Death: September 27, 1956
Biography
Mildred Ella “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias was one of the greatest female athletes of the 20th century, excelling in basketball, track and field, and golf. Born on June 26, 1911, in Port Arthur, Texas, she was the sixth of seven children to Norwegian immigrant parents. Babe’s athletic career began in basketball, where she led her team to a national championship. She gained national attention in 1932 during the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Championships, where she won five events and tied for first in a sixth. At the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, Babe won two gold medals and a silver medal in track and field. She then turned her focus to golf, becoming the first American woman to win the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship in 1947 and subsequently winning 10 LPGA major championships. Babe married professional wrestler George Zaharias in 1938. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1953 but continued to compete and win tournaments even after surgery. She passed away at the age of 45 on September 27, 1956, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire athletes today.
5 Interesting Facts about Babe Didrikson Zaharias
1. Babe Didrikson Zaharias was the first woman to compete in a men’s PGA Tour event.
2. She set four world records in a single day at the 1932 AAU Championships.
3. She was named the “Woman Athlete of the Half Century” by the Associated Press in 1950.
4. Babe was a talented seamstress and made many of her own clothes.
5. She co-founded the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Babe Didrikson Zaharias
1. “The formula for success is simple: practice and concentration then more practice and more concentration.”
2. “I don’t plan to retire. I just plan to keep on going.”
3. “Winning has always meant much to me, but winning friends has meant the most.”
4. “You’ve got to loosen your girdle and really let the ball have it.”
5. “I played many sports, but when you’re playing golf, it’s so much a mental game.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Babe Didrikson Zaharias was approximately $100,000, which was substantial for an athlete at that time.
Children
Babe Didrikson Zaharias did not have any children.
Relevant Links
3. [Babe Zaharias – LPGA Hall of Fame](https://www.lpga.com/players/babe-zaharias/82864/bio
4. [The Babe Didrikson Zaharias Foundation](https://www.babedidriksonzaharias.org/
