Mildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias (June 26, 1911 - September 27, 1956) was a versatile American athlete, showcasing excellence in various sports such as golf, basketball, baseball, and track and field.
Zaharias achieved notable success by securing two gold medals in track and field during the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Additionally, Didrikson Zaharias held world records in the 80-meter hurdles and the javelin.
Various sources estimate that Babe Didrikson Zaharias had a net worth of $5 million. Her wealth was predominantly amassed through a prosperous career as a professional athlete, showcasing her excellence in sports like golf, basketball, baseball, and track and field.
Babe-Didrikson-Zaharias had a net worth of $5 millionImage Source: Instagram It's important to highlight that these estimations are rooted in her earnings during her lifetime and might not fully encompass the enduring value of her legacy and influence on women's sports.
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Babe Didrikson Zaharias showcased her prowess as a multi-sport athlete, excelling in basketball, track and field, baseball, and golf. Her journey in amateur sports began with basketball during high school, and she later distinguished herself as a notable baseball player, earning the moniker "Babe" in homage to Babe Ruth.
Achieving two gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, she also established or equaled world records in the 80-meter hurdles and the javelin.
Transitioning to a professional career in August 1947, she played a pivotal role as the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) co-founder in 1950. Recognizing her exceptional contributions, the Associated Press named her the Woman Athlete of the Half-Century in 1950.
Renowned for her showmanship and bold personality, Didrikson Zaharias often made a grand entrance at tournaments with the declaration, "The Babe is here!"
Babe Didrikson Zaharias made history by clinching gold medals and setting or matching world records in the 80-meter hurdles and javelin at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Known for her versatility, she earned the nickname "Babe" after hitting five home runs in a single baseball game, displaying a style reminiscent of Babe Ruth.
Babe-Didrikson-Zaharias was an inspiration for female athletesImage Source: Pinterest Despite briefly being considered a professional athlete by the USGA due to her baseball earnings, she successfully regained her amateur status in 1943. From 1946 to 1947, Zaharias dominated amateur golf, securing 17 championships, including the prestigious 1946 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship and the 1947 Women’s British Amateur Championship.
Transitioning to the professional scene in August 1947, she co-founded the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950. Notable victories in the U.S. Women’s Open in 1948 and 1950 further solidified her golfing legacy.
Recognized for her exceptional contributions, she was voted the Woman Athlete of the Half-Century by the Associated Press in 1950. Throughout her remarkable career, Babe Didrikson Zaharias captivated audiences with her strong personality and captivating showmanship.
Babe Didrikson Zaharias tied the knot with professional wrestler George Zaharias in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 23, 1938.
Following their marriage, she became commonly recognized as Babe Didrikson Zaharias or simply Babe Zaharias. George Zaharias, renowned for his showmanship in the world of professional wrestling, played a notable role in influencing Babe's captivating stage presence.
Babe-Didrikson-Zaharias with her husbandImage Source: Pinterest The union not only marked a personal milestone for Babe but also provided insight into the dynamic exchange of showmanship cues between the two spouses. Together, they formed a charismatic and influential couple, each contributing to the other's public persona.
The marriage of Babe Didrikson Zaharias and George Zaharias became a noteworthy aspect of both their personal lives and the broader context of their public images in the realms of sports and entertainment.
Babe Didrikson Zaharias was known for helping others and being generous. When she found out she had cancer in 1953, she and her husband started the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Fund. This fund helps cancer clinics and treatment.
Even now, the fund keeps helping with cancer research and treatment. Also, the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Foundation gives scholarships to female athletes. This is done to honor her and her dedication to women's sports.
Babe created the Babe Didrikson Zaharias trophy, which is given each year to the American woman who is outstanding in sports. Even though Babe had a busy career in sports, she always made time to help the community and support causes that meant a lot to her.
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Babe Didrikson Zaharias passed away from cancer on September 27, 1956, at the age of 42, at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas. She had been undergoing treatment since 1953 when the malignant condition was discovered after her victory in a golf tournament named in her honor, the Babe Zaharias Open in Beaumont, Texas, her hometown.
Seeking relief, she underwent X-ray treatments and endured two operations to alleviate pain and address an intestinal obstruction caused by cancer. As her health deteriorated, Babe, along with her husband, established the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Fund to support cancer clinics and treatment.
Despite the general spread of the malignancy, her final weeks were comparatively free of pain. A funeral service was held on September 28, 1956, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Beaumont, Texas.
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