Michales Phelps — born on June 30, 1985 — is considered the greatest swimmer of all time. He started swimming when he was just a kid. Since then, Phelps has become a star athlete. He holds the record for the most Olympic medals won, with 28, and he was the best athlete of the Games four years in a row. Phelps’ success is due to his amazing physical ability and his hard work in and out of the swimming pool. Today, we celebrate this superstar athlete’s birthday.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Michael Fred Phelps II
Nickname:
The Baltimore Bullet, Flying Fish
Birth date:
June 30, 1985
Age:
39
Zodiac Sign:
Cancer
Height:
6' 3.9"
Relationship Status:
Married
Net Worth:
$80 million
Background
The greatest swimmer of all time, Michael Phelps, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1985. He is of English, German, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh descent. His parents are Debora Sue Phelps and Michael Fred Phelps; they got divorced when Phelps was a child. The swimmer has two older sisters who also used to swim. Young Phelps just wanted to learn to swim like his sisters. His mother wanted him to burn off some energy — Phelps was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (A.D.H.D.). At 10 years old, Phelps was already breaking his first of many swimming records.
He attended Rodgers Forge Elementary, Dumbarton Middle School, and Towson High School. At 11 years old, he started training with Bob Bowman. Bowman trained the star with a strict disciplinary regime. Phelps’ talent for swimming was out of this world; he made it to his first Olympics at only 15 years old. He won his first Olympic medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens; he won six gold and two bronze medals. After the 2004 Olympics, his trainer, Bowman, moved to Michigan for work; Phelps moved with him and attended the University of Michigan but he didn’t pursue a degree. In 2008, he won six gold medals at the Olympics, breaking the record for first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games. He continued winning gold and silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, becoming the athlete to have won more Olympic medals in history, with a total of 28 medals.
Phelps retired from swimming in 2012. He returned to the swimming pool in 2014, only to finally retire again permanently in 2016. Phelps is married to Miss California USA, Nicole Johnson. The couple met in 2007 and dated until their break up in 2012. Phelps and Johnson got back together a few years later and they got engaged in 2015. The couple secretly married in 2016. They have three children — Boomer Robert Phelps, Beckett Richard Phelps, and Maverick Nicolas Phelps.
Career timeline
He wins the national record for his age group (in the 100-meter butterfly).
Phelps starts training with Bob Bowman.
He takes part in his first Olympics Games.
Phelp wins his first Olympic medals, a total of eight.
Phelps wins six gold medals at the 2008 Olympics Game.
Why We Love Michael Phelps
He has his own foundation
In 2008, Phelps created the Michael Phelps Foundation. It promotes the growth of swimming and a healthy lifestyle.
His recovery from alcohol issues
In 2012, Phelps retired for the first time. At the time, he was dealing with a lot of pressure and some alcohol issues but he found his way back to living a healthy life.
He promotes a drug-free environment in sports
In 2008, Phelps was accused of using drugs to achieve his goals. He signed up for Project Believe, volunteering to take anti-doping tests before swimming at the Olympics. His results came out drug-free every time.
5 Surprising Facts
A fear of putting his head underwater
The backstroke was the first swimming technique he learned because he was scared to put his head under the water.
He studied sports marketing and management
He took some marketing and management classes at the University of Michigan.
He loves golf
Phelps is an avid golfer and has a real talent for it.
$1 million Speedo bonus
In 2008, he received a $1 million bonus from Speedo; he used it to create a foundation.
He doesn’t get along with his dad
After his parents divorced, his relationship with his father wasn’t the same.
Michael Phelps FAQs
Is Michael Phelps a vegan?
No. But his diet is mainly plant-based.
What is Phelps’ weight?
He weighs 198 pounds.
What does Michael Phelps eat before a meet?
Before a race, Phelps has an egg, oatmeal, and energy shakes.
Michael Phelps’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30 | Monday |
| 2026 | June 30 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | June 30 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | June 30 | Friday |
| 2029 | June 30 | Saturday |
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