Sanya Richards-Ross net worth is estimated to be around $2.5 million as of 2024. Sanya Richards-Ross is a Jamaican retired athlete born on February 26, 1985. He became a star in the 400-meter race. She ran for the United States and achieved many great things. In 2012, she won the Olympic gold medal, making her the second American woman to do so in this event. She also won world championships in 2009 and earned an Olympic bronze in 2008.
Sanya was very successful. She was ranked number one in the world for several years and set the American record at 48.70 seconds in 2006. She won six U.S. national championships and was named the IAAF Female World Athlete of the Year twice, in 2006 and 2009. She also has the record for the most races under 50 seconds, with 49 times.
In relays, Sanya won three Olympic gold medals in the 4 × 400 meters in 2004, 2008, and 2012, along with five medals from the World Championships.
After getting injured in 2016, she retired from running. She then became a track and field analyst for NBC and wrote a memoir called “Chasing Grace” in 2017. In 2021, she joined the cast of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Sanya Richards-Ross in Brief
Full Name | Sanya Richards-Ross |
Date of Birth | February 26, 1985 |
Place of Birth | Kingston, Jamaica |
Occupation | Former Track and Field Athlete, Sports Commentator |
Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.73 m) |
Spouse | Aaron Ross |
Children | Aaron Jermaine Ross II Asani Legend Archibald Ross |
Net Worth | $2.5 Million |
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What is Sanya Richards-Ross Net Worth in 2024?
Sanya Richards-Ross is a Jamaican retired athlete with a net worth of $2.5 Million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Sanya Richards-Ross’s net worth mainly comes from her successful career as a professional track athlete.
She is a four-time Olympic medalist, which means she won medals in important Olympic events. Besides her winnings from races, she also earns money through endorsements and sponsorships with well-known brands.
After retiring from sports, she has worked as a television personality, appearing on shows and sharing her story, which adds to her income. All these sources help build her overall net worth.
Sanya Richards-Ross Early life
Sanya Richards-Ross was born on February 26, 1985, in Kingston, Jamaica. She started running when she was just seven years old and raced for her school, Vaz Prep, in youth competitions. At twelve, her family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, so she could go to a better high school and chase her dream of getting an athletic scholarship.
She graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2002 with a perfect 4.0 GPA. That same year, she was named the Gatorade National High School Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Sanya won many state titles, including four in the 100 meters, three in the 200 meters, one in the 400 meters, and one in the long jump.
After high school, Sanya went to the University of Texas, Austin from 2002 to 2005. There, she studied business and continued to excel on the women’s track and field team.
Sanya Richards-Ross Career
Early Achievements
Sanya Richards-Ross began her amazing career in 2003, winning the NCAA national championship in the 400 meters as a freshman at the University of Texas. She set a record for her age with a time of 50.58 seconds. That same year, she won her first senior title at the U.S. championships and helped Team USA win gold in the 4 × 400 meters relay at the World Championships in Paris.
In 2004, she qualified for the Olympics but finished sixth in the 400 meters. However, she again contributed to a gold medal in the 4 × 400 meters relay. In 2005, she struggled at the World Championships but later achieved a personal best of 48.92 seconds, making her the fastest in the world that year.
Breaking Records
In 2006, she broke the American record in the 400 meters with a time of 48.70 seconds. She continued to dominate, winning multiple races and awards. In 2007, she aimed to compete in both the 200 and 400 meters at the Olympics but faced challenges. Though she finished fourth in the 400 meters at the U.S. championships, she helped Team USA win gold in the 4 × 400 meters relay at the World Championships.
At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she aimed for gold but took home bronze in the 400 meters. However, she redeemed herself by anchoring the U.S. team to victory in the 4 × 400 meters relay. Sanya later revealed that her disappointing performance was partly due to personal struggles before the games.
A Comeback
In 2009, she sought help from a sports psychologist to deal with anxiety. This led to her best season yet. She won the U.S. national title and her first global title in the 400 meters, proving her skill on the world stage. That year, she also matched the record for the most sub-50-second races.
However, her next seasons were challenging due to injuries. In 2010, she had to stop competing early, and in 2011, she struggled at the World Championships but still played a key role in winning the 4 × 400 meters relay.
Road to London: A Journey of Triumph
In 2012, Sanya Richards-Ross aimed for Olympic gold. She prepared by racing indoors, winning all four events. At the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, she won the 400 meters with a time of 50.79 seconds, giving her confidence for the outdoor season.
Olympic Trials Success
Richards-Ross excelled at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, winning the 400 meters and tying the record at 49.28 seconds. She also finished third in the 200 meters, allowing her to compete in both events at the London Olympics.
The 400 Meters Final
At the London Games, she faced tough competitors, including Christine Ohuruogu and Amantle Montsho. In the final, she started strong, found her rhythm, and surged ahead in the last stretch. She won with a time of 49.55 seconds, becoming the first American woman to win the 400-meter gold in 28 years.
Advocating for Change
Richards-Ross also spoke out against Rule 40, which restricted athletes from promoting personal sponsors during the Olympics. She highlighted the financial struggles many athletes face and led a Twitter campaign, #WeDemandChange, to push for more freedom in sponsorships.
Retirement and Legacy
After injuries and surgeries, she announced her retirement in 2016. Though she faced challenges, she helped the U.S. win silver in the 4 × 400 meters relay at the 2015 World Championships. After retiring, she became a broadcaster, sharing her insights at major events like the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
Sanya Richards-Ross Personal Life
Sanya Richards-Ross went to the University of Texas, where she started dating Aaron Ross, a football player who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants. They got engaged in 2007 and married in 2010, with their wedding shown on “Platinum Weddings.”
They have a son, Aaron Jermaine Ross II, born in 2017, and they announced in July 2023 that they were expecting another boy.
For five years, Sanya dealt with serious health problems, including painful mouth ulcers and skin issues. Doctors thought she had Behçet’s disease, which affects blood vessels. To cover her skin, she wore special arm sleeves during races, which later became part of her style.
In 2013, she launched a reality show called “Glam and Gold” on WE TV. The show followed her busy life, showing how she managed her track career, businesses, and family. It was filmed mostly at home in Austin but also included trips to Florida, New York, and Jamaica for Olympic celebrations.