Suzy Favor Hamilton Biography, Age, Education, Husband, Career, Net Worth

Who is Suzy Favor Hamilton?

Suzy Favor Hamilton is a name that resonates with both triumph and turbulence. Once celebrated as one of America’s finest middle-distance runners, she is a three-time Olympian, a record-breaking athlete, and a celebrated collegiate star. However, her story goes beyond the track. After retiring from athletics, Suzy faced significant personal struggles, including undiagnosed bipolar disorder, which ultimately led to a controversial chapter in her life. Today, she is recognized not just as a former Olympian but also as a mental health advocate and author, courageously sharing her journey of resilience, vulnerability, and redemption.

Suzy Favor Hamilton Early Life

Suzy Favor Hamilton was born on August 8, 1968, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA. From a very young age, she showed a natural affinity for running. At just five years old, she ran alongside her siblings and quickly developed the competitive spirit that would define her athletic career.

Growing up in a middle-class family, Suzy was encouraged by her parents, Conrad and Rachel Favor, to pursue sports and academics with equal dedication. By high school, she was already recognized as a standout athlete, winning multiple state championships and setting the foundation for her future in track and field.

Suzy Favor Hamilton Education

After excelling in high school athletics, Suzy attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she solidified her reputation as one of the greatest collegiate runners in U.S. history.

• She became a nine-time NCAA Champion.
  
• Earned 32 Big Ten titles.
  
• Was honored as a 14-time All-American.
  
• Named the Big Ten Female Athlete of the Decade (1982–1992).
  

Her outstanding performances made her one of the most decorated female athletes in collegiate track and field.

Suzy Favor Hamilton Family

Suzy married Mark Hamilton, her college sweetheart, in 1991. Together, they had a daughter, Kylie. For years, they built a life together, balancing Suzy’s professional career and personal life. However, their marriage eventually ended in divorce in 2021.

Family has remained important to Suzy, particularly her role as a mother. She has often spoken about the challenges of being open with her daughter regarding her past, choosing honesty to foster trust and understanding.

Suzy Favor Hamilton Career

Suzy’s professional career took off in the late 1980s and continued into the 2000s.

• She represented the United States in three Olympic Games: Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000).
  
• She specialized in the 1500 meters, achieving a personal best of 3:57.40, one of the fastest times ever recorded by an American woman.
  
• She won seven U.S. National Championships and set several American records.
  

Despite her accomplishments, her career was not without setbacks. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Suzy made headlines when she intentionally fell during the 1500m final. Years later, she revealed that the fall was due to a panic attack and the overwhelming realization that she would not medal.

Suzy Favor Hamilton Controversy

Following her retirement from athletics, Suzy experienced struggles with her mental health. She was initially misdiagnosed with depression and prescribed antidepressants, which worsened her condition by triggering manic episodes linked to bipolar disorder.

During this time, Suzy lived a double life. In 2012, she was publicly exposed for working as a high-end escort in Las Vegas. The revelation shocked the sports community and the public. What many did not understand at the time was that her actions were fueled by her untreated mental illness.

Though she lost sponsorships and endorsements, Suzy later acknowledged this as a turning point. She finally received the correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder and began her journey toward recovery.

Suzy Favor Hamilton Authorship

In 2015, Suzy published her memoir, Fast Girl: A Life Spent Running from Madness, which became a New York Times bestseller. In the book, she detailed her journey as an Olympian, her struggles with mental health, and the years she spent as an escort.

Today, Suzy is a respected mental health advocate, working to reduce the stigma around mental illness. She speaks at conferences, universities, and organizations, using her platform to emphasize the importance of mental health awareness, early diagnosis, and compassionate support. She also practices and teaches yoga, promoting wellness and balance in her life.

Achievements & Legacy

Despite the controversies, Suzy Favor Hamilton’s achievements as an athlete remain remarkable:

• Three-time Olympian (1992, 1996, 2000).
  
• Nine-time NCAA Champion.
  
• Seven-time U.S. National Champion.
  
• One of the fastest American women in the 1500m (3:57.40).
  
• Author of a bestselling memoir.
  
• Respected mental health advocate.
  

Her legacy is now shaped not only by her speed on the track but also by her bravery in confronting and speaking openly about her struggles.

Suzy Favor Hamilton Net Worth

Suzy Favor Hamilton Social Media

Suzy Favor Hamilton Physical Appearance

Interesting Facts about Suzy Favor Hamilton

1. Suzy Favor Hamilton is a three-time Olympian who competed in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Summer Olympics.
   
2. She was named the Big Ten Female Athlete of the Decade (1982–1992).
   
3. Suzy won nine NCAA championships and 32 Big Ten titles while running for the University of Wisconsin.
   
4. She is considered one of the fastest American women in the 1500m, with a personal best of 3:57.40.
   
5. In 2000, she intentionally fell in the Olympic 1500m final due to a panic attack, which she revealed years later.
   
6. After retiring, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which she credits for explaining many of her struggles.
   
7. She lived a secret double life as a Las Vegas escort, which became public in 2012.
   
8. Her memoir, Fast Girl: A Life Spent Running from Madness, became a New York Times bestseller.
   
9. She is now a mental health advocate, speaker, and yoga practitioner.
   
10. Despite controversy, she has turned her life into a platform for helping others with mental health awareness.
    

FAQs about Suzy Favor Hamilton

Q1. Who is Suzy Favor Hamilton?
Suzy Favor Hamilton is a former American middle-distance runner, three-time Olympian, and bestselling author who is now a mental health advocate.

Q2. When was Suzy Favor Hamilton born?
She was born on August 8, 1968, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA.

Q3. What are Suzy Favor Hamilton’s biggest athletic achievements?
She is a nine-time NCAA Champion, a seven-time U.S. National Champion, and has competed in three Olympics.

Q4. What is Suzy Favor Hamilton’s book called?
Her memoir is titled Fast Girl: A Life Spent Running from Madness (2015).

Q5. What controversy was Suzy Favor Hamilton involved in?
In 2012, she was revealed to have worked as a Las Vegas escort, which she later explained was linked to untreated bipolar disorder.

Q6. Is Suzy Favor Hamilton married?
She married Mark Hamilton in 1991, and they share a daughter, Kylie. However, the couple later divorced.

Q7. What does Suzy Favor Hamilton do now?
She is a mental health advocate, public speaker, yoga teacher, and author.

Q8. What is Suzy Favor Hamilton’s net worth?
As of 2025, her estimated net worth is $1M – $1.2M.

Read more biographies and success stories of business leaders, celebrities, healthcare professionals, etc. at Leader Biography.