Laure Manaudou is a French swimmer who is considered one of the best swimmers in the world. Over her career, she has won numerous medals and broken world records. As of 2024, her net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, coming from her successful swimming career, endorsement deals, and other ventures. Let’s explore her early life, professional career, personal life, and the sources of her income in more detail.
| Full Name | Laure Manaudou |
| Date of Birth | October 9, 1986 |
| Place of Birth | Villeurbanne, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Former Professional Swimmer |
| Notable Achievements | Olympic Gold Medal (2004), World Records |
| Years Active | 2001–2013 |
| Net Worth | $5 million (2024) |
| Family | Brother: Florent Manaudou |
| Spouse/Partner | Jérémy Frérot |
| Children | 2 |
Laure Manaudou Net Worth
Laure Manaudou’s net worth of around $5 million is the result of several income sources. Here are the main contributors to her wealth:
| Year | Net Worth (in USD) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | $2 million |
| 2011 | $2.5 million |
| 2012 | $3 million |
| 2013 | $3.2 million |
| 2014 | $3.5 million |
| 2015 | $3.8 million |
| 2016 | $4 million |
| 2017 | $4.2 million |
| 2018 | $4.4 million |
| 2019 | $4.6 million |
| 2020 | $4.7 million |
| 2021 | $4.8 million |
| 2022 | $4.9 million |
| 2023 | $5 million |
| 2024 | $5 million |
- Swimming Career Earnings As a top-level swimmer, Manaudou earned prize money from competitions, including the Olympics, World Championships, and European Championships. Winning medals, especially in high-profile events like the Olympics, comes with cash rewards and sponsorships.
- Endorsement Deals Like many top athletes, Laure Manaudou secured endorsement deals with major brands during her swimming career. She has worked with companies such as Speedo, which provided her with financial support as well as equipment during competitions. These endorsement deals helped her significantly increase her income.
- Autobiography and Media Appearances In 2014, Laure Manaudou published her autobiography titled “Entre les lignes” (“Between the Lines”). The book detailed her swimming career, personal struggles, and the challenges she faced as a public figure. The sales of her autobiography also contributed to her net worth.
- Television Appearances After retiring from professional swimming, Manaudou made appearances on French television shows. These include participation in sports programs and other reality TV shows. These media appearances have helped maintain her public image and provided an additional income stream.
- Brand Collaborations In addition to her endorsements, Laure Manaudou has collaborated with various brands on projects related to fitness, fashion, and swimming equipment. These partnerships have boosted her income while allowing her to stay connected to the world of sports.
- Investments and Other Ventures Over the years, Manaudou has been wise with her earnings and made investments that contribute to her net worth. While specific details of her investments are not publicly available, it is common for athletes of her stature to invest in real estate, business ventures, or other profitable opportunities.
Early Life of Laure Manaudou
Laure Manaudou was born on October 9, 1986, in Villeurbanne, a city in France. She grew up in a family where sports were highly valued. Her father was a handball player, and her mother was very supportive of her children’s sporting ambitions. Laure’s younger brother, Florent Manaudou, is also a famous swimmer, known for winning Olympic gold medals.
From a young age, Laure showed a great passion for swimming. She started swimming when she was just six years old. Her talent in the pool was obvious, and by the time she was a teenager, she was competing at a high level. Laure moved to Melun to train with the famous swimming coach Philippe Lucas, who played a crucial role in shaping her into a champion swimmer.
Professional Life
Laure Manaudou’s professional career began to shine in the early 2000s. She made her international debut in 2003 at the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain. Although she was still young, her performances indicated that she was a rising star in the world of swimming.
Breakthrough at the 2004 Olympics
The big breakthrough for Laure Manaudou came at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. She became the first Frenchwoman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming since Jean Boiteux in 1952. Laure won three medals at these Olympics:
- Gold in the 400-meter freestyle
- Silver in the 800-meter freestyle
- Bronze in the 100-meter backstroke
This made her a national hero in France, and she quickly became one of the most famous athletes in her country. Her incredible performance at the Athens Olympics marked the beginning of a glittering career that would see her win many more medals.
World Records and Championships
After her Olympic success, Laure Manaudou continued to dominate the swimming world. She broke several world records in events such as the 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, and the 1500-meter freestyle. Her ability to swim at such a high level across multiple distances was impressive and made her a versatile swimmer.
In 2005, she won gold in the 400-meter freestyle at the World Aquatics Championships in Montreal, further cementing her status as one of the best swimmers in the world. She continued to win medals in various championships, including the European Championships and the World Championships.
Retirement and Comebacks
Laure Manaudou retired from professional swimming in 2009. Her decision was influenced by injuries and a desire to focus on her personal life. However, her love for the sport brought her back to the pool in 2011. She competed at the 2012 London Olympics, though she didn’t win any medals. After this, she announced her final retirement from competitive swimming in 2013.
Personal Life
Laure Manaudou’s personal life has been of great interest to the public. After her success in the Olympics, she became a high-profile figure in France, and her relationships were often covered in the media.
Family and Relationships
In 2007, Laure Manaudou started dating Luca Marin, an Italian swimmer, but their relationship ended publicly in 2008. After that, she began a relationship with French singer and actor Jérémy Frérot, and the couple has two children together.
Laure Manaudou is very dedicated to her family, and after retiring from swimming, she has focused more on her role as a mother. She continues to remain involved in the world of swimming but prioritizes spending time with her family.
Public Image and Social Media
As a public figure, Laure Manaudou has used her platform to advocate for healthy living, sports, and physical activity. She is active on social media, where she shares aspects of her life, including her family moments, fitness routines, and memories from her swimming career.
Manaudou’s presence in the media has also helped her secure various sponsorship deals, further contributing to her income.
Achievements and Awards
Laure Manaudou’s achievements in swimming are remarkable. Throughout her career, she won several prestigious awards and broke numerous world records. Some of her most notable achievements include:
- Olympic Gold Medal in the 400-meter freestyle (2004)
- Olympic Silver Medal in the 800-meter freestyle (2004)
- Olympic Bronze Medal in the 100-meter backstroke (2004)
- Multiple gold medals at the World Aquatics Championships
- Breaking world records in the 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle, and the 1500-meter freestyle
Her contributions to the sport of swimming have earned her a place among the greatest French athletes of all time.
Legacy and Impact on Swimming
Laure Manaudou’s influence on the world of swimming cannot be overstated. She inspired a new generation of French swimmers, including her younger brother Florent Manaudou, who followed in her footsteps to become an Olympic champion.
Her success at the 2004 Olympics was a turning point for French swimming, as it put the country on the map in the sport. She opened the door for young swimmers, showing that hard work and dedication could lead to global success.
Even after her retirement, Manaudou’s legacy lives on through her involvement in the swimming community, her work with young athletes, and her continued presence as a role model in France.
Conclusion
Laure Manaudou is more than just a champion swimmer; she is a symbol of determination, hard work, and excellence. With a net worth of around $5 million, she has built a successful career in and out of the pool. From her early life and training to her Olympic victories and world records, she has left an indelible mark on the sport of swimming.
