Most Iconic Female Athletes Ever

Published

5 years ago

June 8, 2019

Money + Investing Staff

The sports world is often thought to be dominated by men, but that just really isn’t the case. While there’s no doubt about the fact that sportsmen have become extremely famous over the years, there are so many amazing female athletes that have stood their ground as well. They have proved to everyone that they are on equal terms – or perhaps even a little better- than their male counterparts, and they have proved that they deserve their place in the limelight.

Whether they’re soccer stars, leaders in the golfing world, or some of the biggest names in MMA, these ladies are all pretty epic. Don’t believe us? Check out these famous female athletes for yourself.

Alex Morgan (Soccer)

If you’re a fan of women’s soccer in the US, then there’s no doubt about the fact that you’ll know who Alex Morgan is. After all, this lady has co-captained the national team since 2018, and she has helped to lead them all to victory. As well as playing for the national team, Alex is also a member of the Orlando Pride soccer club. She has scored a whopping 18 goals for the team so far, and it seems as though she has even more fire in her belly to go even further. We haven’t seen the last of her.

Serena Williams (Tennis)

You probably knew that this lady was going to make her mark on this list, right? When it comes to female tennis players, Serena Williams has always been the name on everyone’s lips. With tennis talent running within the Williams’ family veins, Serena has made her way to the top and won an incredible 23 Grand Slam singles titles over the course of her career. Her current ranking comes in at number 9, and when she’s not working her magic on the court, she’s hanging out with her A-lister friends.

Lindsey Vonn (Skiing)

If you’re a fan of skiing, there’s a high chance that you’re familiar with Lindsey Vonn – even though she has now retired from her competitive and professional career. That’s because this lady changed the game when it comes to alpine skiing, and she won a whopping four World Cup championships over the course of her career. Alongside this, she has won three Olympic medals, alongside another eleven medals to add to her trophy case. Sadly, Lindsey suffered various injuries over the years, and she retired in 2019.

Ronda Rousey (MMA)

Another big name within the fighting world is Ronda Rousey, who is not only a former mixed martial artist, but she has since made her way into the realm of the WWE wrestling scene. It seems as though there’s nothing that she can’t do, as she even became the world woman in the United States to win an Olympic medal in judo. She’s a huge name within the sporting world, and some people have even suggested that she could fight her male competitors under the table. Of course, within the WWE, we are seeing more of that.

Allison Stokke (Track and Field)

Many people know Allison Stokke for being a fitness model and social media star, but that doesn’t mean that she isn’t talented on the field as well. In fact, she is a hugely successful track and field athlete, and she is particularly impressive when it comes to pole vaulting. She broke numerous records while she was still at high school, and she has since moved on to even bigger and better championships. She’s now married to golfing legend Rickie Fowler, and she’s even taken up golf herself.

Nikki & Brie Bella “The Bella Twins” (Wrestling)

Although most female athletes rock the sports world on their own, it seems as though two heads really are better than one when it comes to the Bella Twins. Consisting of Nikki and Brie Bella, these two ladies are a professional wrestling tag team who have been in the WWE world for over a decade. While they have since retired, they are both hugely prominent within the fighting realm, and it seems as though everyone still knows who they are. After all, how could you forget these two?

Michelle Jenneke (Track & Field)

While some people know Michelle Jenneke for her work as a model, it’s safe to say that she’s first and foremost an athlete. This Australian hurdler may only be 26 years old, but she has already proved to the world that she has what it takes to compete against the big fish. In 2016, she came in first place at the Australian Championships, and she even has a few more medals under her belt. She became an international sensation in 2012 when her pre-race dance became an instant viral hit, and it seemed as though everyone wanted to copy her.

Skylar Diggins-Smith (Basketball)

If you’re a fan of women’s basketball, you may even support the Phoenix Mercury team. If you do, then you’ll definitely know who Skylar Diggins is. While she may not be the tallest woman on the team, Skylar has made up for her fairly short stature by being one of the best point guards they have ever seen. In fact, she has won the Nancy Lieberman Award twice or her work as a point guard, and it seems as though there’s no stopping her. Before this team, she played with the Dallas Wings.

Lolo Jones (Track and Field)

Lori Susan Jones is known as Lolo Jones to those in the sporting world, and it seems as though this woman is a true Jacqueline of all trades. Not only is she a track and field athlete, but she’s also a bobsledder! Over the course of her career, she has won titles and medals in both of these disciplines, and it’s amazing to see how these two sports go hand in hand when you have talent like Lolo. She’s won four gold medals over the years, and that’s enough to make any athlete happy.

Blair O’Neal (Golf)

Blair O’Neal may not be as big in the game as some of the other female golf stars on this list, but she’s definitely rolling in the fame and the fortune. She used to play for the Symetra Tour, but she has since set her sights on being a celebrity golf star – and it’s definitely worked in her favor. Not only is she now a model, but she’s also a television personality after she bagged herself as a job as the host of the Golf Channel’s School of Golf. She’s now also a mom.

Paige Spiranac

Tune in to the Golf Channel or Instagram to see Paige Spiranac, professional golfer and social media personality. She’s not only grown her golf following but also her social media following to 2.5 million followers. She played in college at both the University of Arizona and San Diego State University had her first professional win in 2015 on the Cactus Tour in Arizona. She’s also graced the cover of both Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and Golf Digest.

Hope Solo (Soccer)

Everyone knows who Hope Solo is, right? Not only does she have an awesome name, but she also has an awesome record when it comes to women’s soccer. Although she hasn’t played for a few years now, most people know her as the goalkeeper for the United States women’s national soccer team who played for a whopping 16 years. Over the course of her career, she also played for major teams such as Saint Louis Athletica, Atlanta Beat, and the Seattle Reign. Since then, she has become a well-known celebrity, written a memoir, and appeared on Dancing With the Stars.

Laila Ali (Boxing)

With a name like Ali, you probably don’t need us to tell you who Laila Ali is related to – but we’re going to do it anyway. Laila is one of Muhammad Ali’s nine children, and she has since become a celebrity in her own right. That’s because this leading lady followed in her father’s footsteps and became a professional boxer herself from 1999 until 2007. During this time, Laila held many titles within the middleweight realm, and out of all of her 24 fights, she won all of them. In fact, 21 of them were wins by knock-out.

Alicia Schmidt (Track & Field)

Alicia Schmidt is a young up-and-coming German track star, and she’ll have all eyes on from the Tokyo Olympics to beyond, because her middle distance and relay game has been on point. She dominated her way through the under-20 team to make it to the starting squad, and now her Puma sponsorship is only certifying her legitimacy. She runs the 400, 800, and 4×400 meter races.

Julie Johnson (Soccer)

Although you may know her as Julie Johnson, this lady now goes by the name of Julie Ertz – and she’s one of the most successful soccer players in the United States. After making her mark as a college superstar, she has since turned pro and played with the Chicago Red Stars ever since. Over the years, she has helped her team win the FIFA Women’s World Cup twice, and she’s even been able to showcase her talent as a midfielder and a defender. Is there anything this woman can’t do? We’re gonna go ahead and say no.

Miesha Tate (MMA)

Many athletes who have excelled in their field have since gone on to become experts and pundits, and that’s exactly what Miesha Tate has done. While she is a former MMA fighter who even became a UFC Bantamweight Champion, she opted to retire from the sport completely in 2016. However, she hasn’t left the fighting world as a whole. Miesha is known extremely famous for working as a mixed martial arts pundit, and she has even become the VP for a Singapore-based kickboxing company. You can take the girl out of MMA, but you can’t take MMA out of her.

Silje Norendal (Snowboarding)

Over the years, snowboarding has become extremely popular with athletes and fans alike, and it seems as though we keep seeing bigger and better names make their way into the limelight. Silje Norendal is definitely one that we’ve been watching for a while now, as this Norwegian snowboarder has shown everyone what she’s made of. As someone who competes in both Big Air and slopestyle events, she has been able to shred the gnar at countless Winter X Games. So far, she has won four gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals.

Courtney Force (Drag Racing)

Courtney Force is a great name for a former drag racer to have, but there’s no doubt about the fact that many people are upset that she’s not still racing. That’s because Courtney was not only the daughter of a drag racing legend – John Force – but because she was also extremely talented herself. In 2014, she overtook her sister to take the record of the most Funny Car wins for any female driver in history, and that was definitely something to be proud of. Her retirement came out of the blue in January 2019.

Taylor Pischke (Volleyball)

If you’re a fan of volleyball, there’s a high chance that you’re familiar with Taylor Pischke. This Canadian volleyball player is a star of the game, and her subsequent success seems to be something that runs in her family. Not only is her mother a former junior athletics champion, but her father is also a former volleyball Olympic champion himself. Because of this, it was no surprise when Taylor also showcased an impressive talent for volleyball, and she and her team have since garnered countless trophies and titles.

Paige VanZant (MMA)

Whether you know her as Paige Michelle Vanderford or whether you know her as Paige VanZant, there’s no doubt about the fact that this woman is a huge name in the world of sport. Not only is she a model and author, but she’s also an accomplished MMA fighter. As a flyweight, she has risen through the ranks over the years and now stands at number 15 within the UFC women’s flyweight rankings. 2020 has been a tough year so far for Paige due to injury, but she’ll be back fighting in no time.

Anna Kournikova (Tennis)

When it comes to female tennis stars, there’s no doubt about the fact that Anna Kournikova is a name on everyone’s lips. Although she retired in 2007, her success is one that many up-and-coming female tennis stars have aspired towards, and it’s fair to say that everyone knows her name. Anna turned pro in 1995 and quickly won fans over with her style, her talent, and – of course – her beauty. Despite the fact that she was never able to bag a singles title before retiring due to injury, Anna did become number 8 in the world back in 2000.

Jessica Washington (Basketball)

Although Jessica Washington has taken a step back from the basketball world recently to focus on her rehabilitation after numerous injuries, that doesn’t mean that we’ve had to say goodbye to her completely. She may have left the University of Kansas team for the time being, but it’s important to realize that she’s only a college student and yet she’s already making waves across the basketball realm. Once she’s fit and ready to return to her basketball career once again, we don’t think that there will be any stopping her.

Sabine Lisicki (Tennis)

We’re lucky enough to be blessed with some seriously impressive female tennis stars, and Sabine Lisicki is one of them. This German tennis player made her professional debut in 2006, and she has since been on a path to success. Just three years after she turned pro, Sabine was able to reach the quarterfinals of the Wimbledon Championships and show everyone what she was made of – and she’s even broken records. Yes, from 2014 to 2018, Sabine held the world record for the fastest serve within the ladies’ tennis world.

Elena Delle Donne (Basketball)

Are you a fan of the Washington Mystics? If you are, you might even have a poster of Elena Delle Donne on your wall. That’s because this lady has become a legend within this team. Since making her way into the Mystics family in 2019, Elena soon led them to win the WNBA Championship for the first time in history. As if that wasn’t cool enough, Elena also became the first woman within the WNBA to make her way into the 50-40-90 club. So, you could definitely say that she’s a big deal.

Cheyenne Woods (Golf)

When you think of the professional golf world, you probably think of successful male players such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. However, we’re here to tell you that there are some extremely successful women in the game as well. Cheyenne Woods made her professional debut in 2012, and she has since become one of the most famous women within the sport as a whole. What’s so amazing about Cheyenne is that she’s actually Tiger Woods’ niece, and was trained by Tiger’s father – her grandfather – Earl Woods.

Jonelle Filigno (Soccer)

Despite the fact that Jonelle Filigno hasn’t played professional soccer for a while now, that doesn’t mean that we have forgotten about her successes. This Canadian soccer player first made waves back in the early ‘00s, but she really came into her own when she was drafted in to play for Sky Blue FC. Alongside this, she played for the Canadian national team for seven years, even earning herself a bronze medal at the London Olympics in 2012. She officially retired in 2017, leaving many of her fans heartbroken in the process.

Michelle Wie (Golf)

If you’re familiar with the life and times of Michelle Wie, you may know that this professional golfing star proved her worth from an extremely young age. In fact, she began the youngest player to qualify for the USGA amateur championship when she was just 10 years old, and she has since continued to stay on our radar. After turning pro just shy of her 16th birthday, Michelle has not only become a famous face within the sport, but she’s also become a successful face. She won the US Women’s Open in 2014, and that was a serious high point.

Monica Puig (Tennis)

Over the course of her impressive career, Puerto Rican tennis player Monica Puig has broken some serious records. Not only is she currently the Central American and Caribbean champion, but she’s also the first Puerto Rican athlete to win a gold medal for the country. Because of this, she is considered to be a legend both in her home country and across the globe. While she currently ranks at number 90 in the singles rankings, her highest ranking to date came in 2016 when she was dubbed as number 27.

Laure Bolleau (Soccer)

Fans of Laure Bolleau will know that she’s now retired, but it’s safe to say that her legacy will continue for years to come. This French soccer player first made her mark as a youngster, and it was clear for everyone around her to see that she was going to be a star. Throughout her professional career, she played for both Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team – but she hasn’t left the sport completely. She now works as a consultant for Canal Football Club and is an ambassador for PSG.

Louisa Necib(Soccer)

It seems as though France is a real moneymaker when it comes to churning out successful female athletes because Louisa Necib is another French female soccer player who has made her mark over the course of her career. Although she is now retired, fans of Lyon will remember her dearly, as she spent most of her career with this club. During this time, many people compared her to Zinedine Zidane, and she even earned the nickname of “the female Zidane.” Considering he is one of her role models, that must have felt good.

Ali Krieger (Soccer)

Female soccer players may not earn as much as their male counterparts, but there’s no doubt about the fact that they are just as talented. You just have to look at Ali Krieger to see that. Ali has risen to fame over the years thanks to her work as the right back and center back for the Orlando Pride women’s soccer team. She’s represented her team for more than 100 games, and that’s before we mention the fact that she’s represented the US at three FIFA Women’s World Cups. Yes, it’s safe to say that she’s pretty awesome.

Candace Parker (Basketball)

Female basketball players often don’t get as much recognition as their male counterparts, so we’re here to change that. After all, Candace Parker deserves a whole load of attention. She currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, and there’s no doubt about the fact that this 6’4″ basketball star has made waves over the years. In fact, she helped the Sparks to win their first WNBA Finals title for over a decade in 2016 – and her fans haven’t forgotten that. She’s got a pretty epic career under her belt.

Anna Sidorova (Women’s Russian Curling Team)

Although it’s fair to say that curling is a rather niche sport, it seems as though most people just can’t turn the television off when it comes onto their screens. If you’re familiar with this sport, though, you might know that Anna Sidorova is kind of a big deal. At just 19 years old, she was added as a late entry to the Russian Olympic Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and she even became the youngest Skip that the event had ever seen. Since then, she has made nine World Championship appearances, alongside eight European Championship appearances.

Camila Giorgi (Tennis)

If you’re a fan of tennis, you may have kept up with the career of Camila Giorgi in the past. That’s because this lady is hugely successful in the game, and it seems as though nothing can hold this Italian beauty back. Camila turned pro in 2006, and she has since proved to everyone that she has what it takes to compete against the big leagues. At her second Wimbledon appearance, she was able to reach the fourth round, and it’s fair to say that this got everyone’s attention. She’s known for her aggressive style – but it seems to work.

Nastia Liukin (Gymnastics)

Nastia Liukin may hail from Russia, but she grew up in the United States and then went on to represent her second home country as part of their Olympic mission. This former artistic gymnast certainly showed everyone what she was made of when she made her way to the beam and the uneven bars, and she won a whopping five Olympic medals over the course of her career. Although she retired in 2012, Nastia is still a famous face in the celebrity world and even appeared on Dancing With the Stars in 2018.

Hilary Knight (Hockey)

Because ice hockey is often considered to be aggressive and dangerous, women are rarely given a chance to show their worth as much as the men – but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t just as good. Hilary Knight is a prime example of a woman who has excelled within this sport, and she has played with some of the biggest teams in the business. Not only has she worked with the Boston Blades, but she’s also glided to victory with Boston Pride and even Les Canadiennes de Montreal. She’s a definite star in the game.

Gretchen Bleiler (Snowboarding)

The halfpipe is one of the most exciting disciplines within the world of snowboarding, and Gretchen Bleiler is considered to be one of the best halfpipe snowboarders out there. While there are up and coming stars who are looking to overtake this retired snowboarders’ lead, everyone seems to know this lady – and there’s a good reason for that. Gretchen made her mark when she was just a teenager, and she has since won countless gold medals. In fact, she’s won four Winter X Games gold medals, alongside two Winter Dew Tour gold medals.

Caroline Wozniacki (Tennis)

Caroline Wozniacki retired earlier this year, and there’s no doubt about the fact that this news has come as a serious blow to those who have followed her career over the years. After all, this lady has been in the business for 15 years. The Danish tennis player has won countless accolades in the past, and she even became the first female from a Scandinavian country to hold the number one ranking position. Not only did she excel in the singles, but she also won two titles as part of a doubles team. You can’t get much better than that.

Ana Ivanovic (Tennis)

There are so many amazing female tennis stars out there, and Ana Ivanovic is just another to add to that list. This Serbian tennis player may have retired, but many people still count their lucky stars that they were able to see her play. That’s because she beat out the competition to become the number one female player in the world in 2008, and she later continued to reign supreme until she retired. Some of her biggest rivalries through her career were with Sharapova, Janovic, and Petrova.

Kristi Leskinen (Skiing)

When she was a youngster, Kristi Leskinen regularly went snowboarding and wakeboarding, and she was seriously considering a career in the latter. However, she eventually decided that she would take snowboarding even further – and it’s a good thing that she did. Over the years, this freestyle skier has shown everyone that she has the talent and creativity to make it far, and her biggest achievements to date came in the ‘00s. While she’s now a little quiet on the career front, that doesn’t mean that we have forgotten about her completely.

Kim Glass (Volleyball)

Kim Glass first came to our attention while she studied at the University of Arizona because there was no doubt about the fact that she was a talented volleyball player. It wasn’t a surprise when she turned pro, and this American athlete now plays for the Rabita Baku team in Azerbaijan. As if that wasn’t enough, Kim has also played for the US national team on countless occasions, and she even helped them take home a silver medal during the Beijing Olympics in 2008. What you might not know about this lady is that she’s also a model.

Heather Mitts (Soccer)

If you’re familiar with retired female soccer players, then you might be familiar with Heather Mitts. She retired from professional soccer back in 2013, but there’s no doubt about the fact that her legacy lives on – and she still has countless fans across the globe. During her stint in the limelight, Heather played for the United States national team a whopping 137 times, and that’s before we mention all of the teams she played for. These include Philadelphia Charge, Boston Breakers, Atlanta Beat, and so many more.

Tanith Belbin (Figure Skating)

Those who love ice dancing will know that Tanith Belbin also loves ice dancing – and she has some serious accolades to show for it. This incredible athlete started skating in 1986, and it didn’t take her long to become one of the biggest names in the business. Not only did she reign supreme on her own, but she also showcased her talents as part of numerous pairings. Although she has since hung up her competitive skates, she still has an Olympic silver medal and some impressive titles to her name. Now, she works as a sports commentator and choreographer.

Danica Patrick (Racing)

Danica Patrick is kind of a big deal, right? Even if you’re not familiar with the racing world, you may have heard of her, because she’s a serious record breaker. She is especially important when it comes to female athletes because she has paved the way for countless women behind her – especially thanks to her firsts. Not only was she the first woman to win an IndyCar Series race, but she is also considered to be the most successful woman in the history of open-wheel racing in the United States. She officially retired in 2018, much to her fans’ dismay.

Anastasia Ashley (Surfing)

What’s so amazing about Anastasia Ashley is the fact that she started surfing when she was just 5 years old. Just a short while later, her family moved to Hawaii, and she was able to perfect her craft even more. She had picked up a sponsor by the time that she was 7 years old, and she won her first major national title at just 16. Since then, Anastasia has become one of the biggest female names in the surfing business, and it seems as though everyone knows who she is.

Natalie Gulbis (Golf)

Natalie Gulbis is a professional golfer who has proved to many that she’s just as impressive as her male counterparts. After turning pro in 2001, she has not only won the LPGA Tour once, but she has also won various other major championships – blowing her competition out of the water at the same time. She has also won fans over with her presence on the green, as well as her presence off the green. Although she made her very own calendar in 2005, the United States Golf Association banned it from being sold at competitions.

Michelle Waterson (MMA)

There are various different weight categories within the world of MMA, and Michelle Waterson has competed in two of them. While she started off her career as an atomweight – and ultimately became the number one atomweight in the world in 2013 – she is now a strawweight. Right now, she’s number eight in the world, and that’s pretty impressive. Her record includes 17 wins out of 25 fights, and it’s clear to see that she’s a talented athlete. That’s not all, though, as she’s also a model.

Malia Jones (Surfing)

Like many professional surfers, Malia Jones spent her early years living in Hawaii, where she spent most of her free time in the water, making sure that she was one of the best young surfers out there. She became truly involved in her competitive career when she was just 15 years old, and while she’s no longer surfing as much as she was, people still remember her. After all, she was not only a surfing icon, but she also made waves as a model and role model for those looking to follow in her footsteps.

Gina Carano (MMA)

Gina Carano has often been called the “face of women’s MMA,” and while she has rejected this nickname in the past, there are many fans across the world who would agree with that notion. That’s because this featherweight fighter proved to be extremely talented over the course of her MMA career, and she brought a whole new world of fighting to a male-dominated industry. Since then, she has been able to use her fame to make her way into the acting world, and she’s even more famous than she was before.

Bianca Cruz (Softball)

While Bianca Cruz may not be as famous as some of the other women on this list, it seems as though the sporting world is expecting her to be the next big name in softball. She’s still a freshman at Florida State University, but this softball pitcher has already proved to everyone that she is a force to be reckoned with. She was one of the top high school pitchers in her county before making her way to college, and she has dreams in place of turning pro. We don’t think that will take too long if she continues this way.

Dakota and Dylan Gonzalez “Gonzalez Twins” (Basketball)

It seems as though Nikki and Brie Bella aren’t the only twins in the sporting realm, as the Gonzales Twins are also staking their place – but in basketball rather than wrestling. These two were once the star players at the University of Nevada, and many believed that they would soon be making their mark within the WNBA. However, they later made the decision to quit their last year of college and leave the basketball world behind. They are now famous social media stars, and they have even tried their hand at releasing their own music.

Stacy Keibler (Wrestling)

When it comes down to it, there really is nothing that Stacy Keibler can’t do. Not only is she an actress, model, dancer, and former cheerleader, but she was also a former wrestler within the WCW and the WWE. In the ring, she was often known as Miss Hancock or Super Stacy, and she was a huge name in wrestling for around seven years. However, she decided to retire in 2006 – and she’s been pretty busy ever since. She has countless strings to her bow, and her diary is pretty full.

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