Babe Didrikson Zaharias – American Athlete

Mildred Ella Didrikson aka Babe Didrikson Zaharias was born on 26th June of 1911 in Port Arthur, Texas, U.S. She was an American athlete and was famous for playing basketball, golf, baseball and track and field. She had won two gold medals in track and field in Olympics and 10 LPGA major championships. Zaharias is also considered one of the greatest female athletes of all time.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias’ net worth was estimated to be $500,000. She was born to father Ole Didrikson and mother, Hannah Didrikson. Babe grew up along with six other siblings. She was married to professional wrestler George Zaharias. Unfortunately, Babe Didrikson Zaharias died on 27th September of 1956 at the age of 45.

Net Worth and Earnings

Babe Didrikson Zaharias’s net worth was estimated to be $500,000. She had managed to amass such wealth throughout her career as a professional athlete. She excelled in golf, track and field, basketball and baseball.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias was an American athlete. Picture source: History.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias was an all-around sports girl from a young age. She shifted to Dallas to play basketball for  Employers Casualty Company and also worked as a secretary there. Babe also played 1932 AUU championship giving one of her best performance in the tournament. She must have earned huge amount of money by playing basketball as well.

In 1932 Summer Olympic, Babe Didrikson won two gold medals for Javelin throw and 80-meter hurdles. After that, she switched her interest to golf and started playing golf since 1933. She won 41 LPGA tour titles including 11 major championships. She must have earned a considerable amount of money from her golf career as well. 

Babe Didrikson Zaharias was also a professional golfer. Picture source: IMDb.

Family and Relationship

Babe Didrikson Zaharias was born to father Ole Didriksen and mother Hannah Didriksen who were the immigrants from Norway. She was born and raised along with six other siblings in the Coastal city of Port Arthur, Texas. Her three other elder siblings were born in Norway and she, along with other three, was born in Port Arthur. Later, she moved with her family to Beaumont, Texas.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias was married to American professional wrestler George Zaharias who was a Greek American. The couple tied their wedding knot on 23rd December of 1938 and was together until George died on 22nd May of 1984. They two first met while playing golf, and soon started dating then got married. However, the couple had no children and were rejected by authorities when they sought to adopt the child.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias along with her husband, George Zaharias. Picture source: Pinterest.

Cause Of Death

Babe Didrikson Zaharias died at the age of 45 on 27th September of 1956. She died at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas from her illness, which hasn’t been revealed yet. She was still a top-ranked female golfer at the time of her death.

Interesting Facts

She got her nickname ‘Babe’ after American professional baseball player Babe Ruth upon hitting home runs for five times in a single game during a childhood baseball game. But it is reported that her mother used to call her Bebe from the very beginning. Later, she changed her last name from Didriksen to Didrikson. 

Babe Didrikson Zaharias has won 41 LPGA tour titles. Picture source: Bunker Paradise.

She has won two gold medals in track and field at 1932 summer Olympics and has won 41 LPGA tour titles including ten major championships. She was also named the 9th Greatest athlete of the 20th century by the Associated Press and 10th Greatest North American Athlete of the 20th Century by ESPN.

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