As a two-time Olympian, Simone Manuel is no stranger to the big stage. She has dominated at every level of swimming competition, from the NCAA Championships to World Championships to the Olympics. She also became the first Black female swimmer to win an Olympic gold for Team USA in 2016.

After a tough 2021, when Manuel revealed she was suffering from overtraining syndrome and was forced to take seven months off from swimming, she is having a strong 2024 season and is poised to make waves in Paris this summer.

Get to know more about Simone Manuel as she gets ready for Paris 2024.

How tall is Simone Manuel?

Simone Manuel is 5-foot-11.

How old is Simone Manuel?

Simone Manuel is 27 years old and was born on August 2, 1996.

Where did Simone Manuel go to college? 

Simone Manuel went to college at Stanford and was part of the Cardinal’s NCAA championship teams in 2017 and 2018.

What do Simone Manuel’s parents do?

Simone Manuel’s parents are both from New Orleans. Her mother, Sharron, is a pharmacist, while her father, Marc, is a business analyst and played collegiate basketball at Xavier University. She also has two brothers, Chris and Ryan, who also played NCAA basketball. 

When did Simone Manuel start competing in swimming?

Simone Manuel started taking swimming lessons at a young age, and at four years old, impressed her family by swimming the length of the pool. She started swimming competitively when she was nine years old, and at 11, she joined Houston’s First Colony Swim Team and became one of their top swimmers.

What was Simone Manuel’s childhood like?

Simone Manuel’s childhood was centered around her family, who helped her become the person she is today. Coming from a competitive family shaped her motivation and competitive spirit, part of which she attributes to the strong sports culture in Houston.

Where is Simone Manuel from?

Simone Manuel was born in Houston, Texas but grew up in Sugarland, Texas and attended Fort Bend Austin High School.

What’s Simone Manuel’s nickname?

Simone Manuel’s nickname is "Swimone."

Is Simone Manuel married?

Simone Manuel is married to Denzel Franklin. The two met while they were both student athletes at Stanford and Franklin played football and they got married in December 2023.

What is Simone Manuel’s net worth?

Simone Manuel has an estimated net worth of $3 million dollars.

What are some fun facts about Simone Manuel?

• Simone Manuel was the first Black woman for Team USA to win an individual gold medal in Olympic swimming
• Simone Manuel loves cooking, listening to music and painting her nails with colorful patterns
• Simone Manuel founded her foundation in 2023, which is dedicated to increasing access to swimming for BIPOC children and communities