Date of Birth: May 10, 1995
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Biography
Melissa Jeanette “Missy” Franklin is an American former competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist. Born on May 10, 1995, in Pasadena, California, Franklin moved to Centennial, Colorado, at a young age. She began swimming at the age of five and quickly demonstrated her prowess in the sport. By the time she was fourteen, she had already qualified for the U.S. National Team. Franklin’s breakthrough came at the 2012 London Olympics, where she won four gold medals and one bronze, setting world records in the 200-meter backstroke and 4×100-meter medley relay. She was named the World Swimmer of the Year and American Swimmer of the Year in 2012. Following her success in London, Franklin chose to swim collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley, rather than turn professional immediately. She continued to excel, helping the California Golden Bears win the NCAA team title in 2015. Franklin competed again in the 2016 Rio Olympics but struggled with injuries and illness, which impacted her performance. She retired from competitive swimming in December 2018, citing chronic shoulder pain and the desire to pursue other opportunities. Post-retirement, Franklin has been active in promoting mental health awareness and has engaged in various philanthropic activities. She also married former swimmer Hayes Johnson in 2019 and welcomed their first child in 2023.
5 Interesting Facts about Missy Franklin
1. Missy Franklin holds the world record in the 200-meter backstroke.
2. She was named the World Swimmer of the Year and American Swimmer of the Year in 2012.
3. Franklin chose to forego immediate professional opportunities to swim collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley.
4. She has been an advocate for mental health awareness, sharing her own struggles publicly.
5. Franklin retired from competitive swimming in December 2018 due to chronic shoulder pain.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Missy Franklin
1. “Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
2. “I want to be able to look back and say, ‘I’ve done everything I can, and I was successful.’”
3. “The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”
4. “I hope I’m not just defined by my swimming, but by my values and how I treat others.”
5. “It’s about the journey and the process, not just the outcome.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At her peak, Missy Franklin’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million, derived from endorsements, prize money, and sponsorship deals.
Children
Missy Franklin and her husband, Hayes Johnson, welcomed their first child, a daughter, in 2023.
Relevant Links
1. [Missy Franklin – Team USA Bio](https://www.teamusa.org/usa-swimming/athletes/missy-franklin
2. [Missy Franklin – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missy_Franklin
3. [Missy Franklin’s Olympic Profile](https://www.olympic.org/missy-franklin
