There aren’t many athletes who redefine what’s possible on a pair of skis, and then reinvent themselves entirely after retirement. Lindsey Vonn did exactly that — a career that turned 82 World Cup wins into an Olympic gold and a place in history.
World Cup victories: 82 ·
World Cup podiums: 138 ·
Olympic gold medals: 1 (downhill, 2010) ·
World Championship medals: 7 ·
Current age: 39 (born October 18, 1984) ·
Knee replacement surgery: MAKO-assisted robotic partial knee replacement (2024)
Quick snapshot
- MAKO-assisted robotic partial knee replacement in 2024 (Biography.com)
- No full prosthetic; only partial joint replacement (Biography.com)
- Recovering well, no competitive return announced (Biography.com)
- 82 World Cup wins, 1 Olympic gold, 4 overall titles (NBC Olympics)
- Net worth estimated $12–14 million (NBC Olympics)
- Endorsements with Red Bull, Rolex, Under Armour (NBC Olympics)
- No children
- Founder of Lindsey Vonn Foundation
- Dog mom, active on social media
Seven key facts about Lindsey Vonn, one pattern: an athlete whose body has been reshaped by elite sport as much as her public persona.
Lindsey Vonn’s career stats trace a rare arc of dominance and longevity.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lindsey Caroline Vonn (née Kildow) |
| Date of birth | October 18, 1984 |
| Hometown | Vail, Colorado, USA |
| Olympic gold | 2010 downhill |
| World Cup overall titles | 4 |
| Knee replacement date | 2024 |
| Marital status | Divorced (2013) |
The implication: those statistics capture a skier who operated at the elite level across two decades, a span that few in the sport match.
What is Lindsey Vonn’s condition now?
Current health status after knee surgery
- Lindsey Vonn underwent MAKO-assisted robotic partial knee replacement in 2024, according to Biography.com (a leading biography publisher).
- The procedure replaced damaged cartilage and bone with metal and plastic components, but only in part of the knee joint — not a full prosthetic limb.
- She has described recovery as progressing well in social media updates, though she has not announced any formal return to competitive skiing.
Return to skiing or retirement status
In a surprising turn, Vonn Biography.com (a leading biography publisher) reported that she qualified for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games in December 2025, marking her fifth Olympic appearance. Wikipedia noted that on December 12, 2025, she became the oldest downhill skiing World Cup winner at age 41, winning her 83rd race — her first since 2018.
Vonn’s knee replacement was supposed to end her career. Instead, she returned to the World Cup podium at an age when most skiers have long retired — a testament to how far partial knee reconstruction has come, and how driven she still is.
The implication: Even with a partial knee replacement, Vonn is still competitive at the highest level. The gap between retirement and return may be shorter than fans expected.
Who is Lindsey Vonn in a relationship with?
Current relationship status
- Lindsey Vonn and Diego Osorio split in February 2025, according to Biography.com (a leading biography publisher).
- As of early 2026, she appeared to be single and not publicly linked to a new partner after the breakup, reported Marca (a Spanish sports daily).
- Vonn told Sport Bild (a German sports magazine) that she had never been single going into the Olympics, saying she looks forward to experiencing that.
Vonn’s public stance on privacy suggests she won’t reveal a new partner quickly — but the shift from a committed relationship to solo Olympic preparation is a significant personal change for an athlete used to partnership.
Past relationships including Tiger Woods and Thomas Vonn
- She was married to Thomas Vonn from September 29, 2007 until the divorce was finalized on January 9, 2013, per Wikipedia.
- The split was described as mutual with irreconcilable differences cited in court documents.
- She dated Tiger Woods publicly from 2013 to 2015. E! Online (an entertainment news outlet) quoted Vonn saying she still had feelings for Woods after the breakup.
- She was engaged to hockey player P.K. Subban in 2019 before the couple split in December 2020, according to The Sun (a UK tabloid).
The pattern: Vonn moves through high-profile relationships with intentionality — each partnership lasting 2–3 years before a clean break. Her current single status marks a deliberate shift toward independence at a career inflection point.
Does Lindsey Vonn have a prosthetic?
Details of her knee replacement
- Lindsey Vonn has a MAKO-assisted robotic partial knee replacement — not a full prosthetic limb, as clarified by Biography.com (a leading biography publisher).
- The surgery replaced only the damaged portion of her knee joint with metal and plastic components, preserving healthy bone and ligaments.
- MAKO surgery uses a robotic arm guided by a 3D model of the patient’s knee, allowing precise placement of the implant.
Difference between prosthetic and full amputation
It’s worth clarifying the terminology: a partial knee replacement replaces worn cartilage and bone inside the joint, like resurfacing a road. A full prosthetic limb, by contrast, replaces an entire leg after amputation — Vonn has not had any amputation. Her surgery is best understood as a high-precision joint reconstruction, not an external prosthetic device.
The language around Vonn’s surgery often confuses fans: “prosthetic knee” is technically correct but misleading. It’s an internal implant, not a bionic leg — though her return to World Cup racing at age 41 with that implant is arguably even more remarkable than science fiction.
Why this matters: The confusion about Vonn’s prosthetic reflects a broader public interest in how elite athletes recover from joint replacements — and whether modern robotic surgery can extend careers beyond traditional limits.
Does Lindsey Vonn have a child?
Children and family planning statements
- Lindsey Vonn does not have any children, according to all available biographical records from Biography.com (a leading biography publisher).
- She has not publicly announced a pregnancy or birth at any point in her career or retirement.
- No credible source reports her having a biological child or adopted child.
Public comments on motherhood
Vonn has stated that she is focused on her career and her foundation, the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which supports girls in sports. In interviews, she has described her dogs as “her children” and deflected direct questions about having kids. The implication: motherhood is not on the current horizon for an athlete still actively competing and building her post-racing brand.
The trade-off: Vonn’s sustained athletic career — now stretching past age 40 and into a fifth Olympic cycle — comes with lifestyle choices that have deprioritized starting a family. That’s a common pattern among elite athletes who extend their careers unusually long.
Why did Lindsey Vonn leave her husband?
Divorce reasons and timeline
- Lindsey Vonn divorced Thomas Vonn in 2013 citing irreconcilable differences, per divorce records cited by Wikipedia.
- She has described the split in interviews as mutual and amicable.
- The divorce was finalized on January 9, 2013, after marriage on September 29, 2007.
Post-divorce relationships
After the divorce, Vonn entered a high-profile relationship with Tiger Woods (2013–2015), followed by an engagement to P.K. Subban (2019–2020), and then a relationship with Diego Osorio (2021–2025). Each relationship generated significant media attention, but Vonn has consistently kept the emotional details private beyond broad statements.
What this means: Vonn’s divorce wasn’t a dramatic Hollywood breakup — it was a practical decision by two people whose lives were moving in different directions. The pattern of her subsequent relationships suggests she values partnership but hasn’t found a lasting match since Thomas.
What is Lindsey Vonn’s net worth?
Three reported figures, one clear range: Vonn’s net worth sits between $12 million and $14 million according to the most reliable sources.
A comparison of net worth estimates from different outlets shows a consistent mid-million-dollar valuation.
| Source | Reported Net Worth | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| NBC Olympics (official Olympic broadcaster) | $14 million | Tier 2 |
| Yahoo Entertainment (major digital publisher) | $14 million | Tier 2 |
| Celebrity Net Worth (financial database) | $16 million (Feb 2026) | Tier 3 |
The pattern: the tier-2 sources converge on $14 million, making that the most defensible figure.
Sources of income: endorsements, prize money, business ventures
- Vonn earned prize money of roughly $2.5 million from World Cup wins alone during her career.
- Her endorsement portfolio includes Red Bull, Rolex, Under Armour, Head, and Oakley — deals that often pay more than prize money for top-tier athletes.
- She also earns from the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, book sales (including her autobiography “Strong Is the New Beautiful”), and speaking engagements.
Vonn’s net worth is credible at $12–14 million, not the inflated figures some tabloids claim. For retired athletes who peak before mega-endorsement eras, that’s a solid upper-tier figure — well short of multi-millionaire superstars but comfortable for a lifetime.
Why this matters: Vonn’s net worth reflects both her on-snow success and her post-career brand-building. At $12–14 million, she’s not among the wealthiest athletes, but she has managed the transition from pro sports to public figure better than most.
What injuries has Lindsey Vonn had?
Major crashes and injuries
- Vonn has suffered multiple knee injuries including ACL tears in 2007 and 2013, a fractured tibial plateau in 2013, and a broken arm in 2015.
- A serious crash at the 2013 World Championships in Schladming led to a torn ACL and MCL that required surgery and months of recovery.
- The widely circulated 2026 crash video shows a training accident at high speed — Vonn walked away with minor injuries, but the footage sparked renewed public concern about her condition.
Knee surgeries and recovery
Vonn has had at least five knee surgeries over her career, including the partial knee replacement in 2024. Each recovery period brought her back to the slopes — a pattern of resilience that defined her career. The MAKO-assisted robotic surgery in 2024 was the most significant, replacing damaged joint surfaces with a precision implant designed to last 15–20 years.
The pattern: Every major injury has come back stronger. But the cumulative toll of five knee surgeries means Vonn’s body now bears the marks of a career spent pushing limits. The 2024 replacement was not elective — it was a necessity driven by years of accumulated damage.
Confirmed facts
- Lindsey Vonn had MAKO-assisted robotic partial knee replacement in 2024 (Biography.com).
- She is divorced from Thomas Vonn since 2013 (Wikipedia).
- She has no children (Biography.com).
- Her net worth is estimated between $12 million and $14 million (NBC Olympics).
- She qualified for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games (Biography.com).
What’s unclear
- Whether she will ever formally return to full competitive skiing after the partial knee replacement.
- Exact date of the 2026 crash video.
- Current relationship status beyond “single” — no confirmed partner reported in early 2026.
In her own words
I’ve never been single going into the Olympics, so I’m looking forward to that.
— Lindsey Vonn, Sport Bild (a German sports magazine), 2026
I still have feelings for him.
— Lindsey Vonn, on Tiger Woods, E! Online (an entertainment news outlet), 2015
We amicably decided to separate and will remain friends and continue to support each other.
— P.K. Subban and Lindsey Vonn, joint statement, The Sun (a UK tabloid), 2020
Three quotes, one observer’s read: Vonn is someone who speaks candidly about her emotions — whether love, loss, or anticipation. The contrast between admitting she still had feelings for Woods and then pivoting to solo Olympic preparation shows a woman who learns and adapts publicly.
Timeline signal
- 1984 — Lindsey Vonn born in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
- 2007 — Marries Thomas Vonn.
- 2010 — Wins Olympic gold in downhill, Vancouver.
- 2013 — Divorces Thomas Vonn; begins relationship with Tiger Woods.
- 2015 — Ends relationship with Tiger Woods.
- 2019 — Announces retirement from competitive skiing.
- 2024 — Undergoes MAKO-assisted robotic partial knee replacement.
- 2025 — Qualifies for 2026 Winter Games; wins 83rd World Cup race.
- 2026 — Crash video surfaces from a training accident.
The timeline signal: Vonn’s career arc defies linear retirement. She retired in 2019, got a partial knee replacement in 2024, then came back to win a World Cup race in 2025. That’s not a typical retirement — it’s a pause.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lindsey Vonn returning to skiing?
Yes — she qualified for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games in December 2025, marking her fifth Olympic appearance, according to Biography.com (a leading biography publisher).
What is the Lindsey Vonn Foundation?
The Lindsey Vonn Foundation supports girls in sports and education, providing grants and programs to help young women develop confidence through athletic participation.
How many World Cup wins does Lindsey Vonn have?
Lindsey Vonn has 83 World Cup wins as of December 2025, including her first victory since 2018 at age 41, per Wikipedia.
