Net Worth Ranker
What Is Laurie Hernandez’s Net Worth?
Laurie Hernandez, an accomplished American artistic gymnast, has established a net worth of approximately $2 million. This financial standing reflects her achievements in gymnastics, coupled with earnings from endorsements, television appearances, and other ventures. Her journey from a young gymnast to an Olympic medalist and television personality has significantly contributed to her financial success.
Early Life and Gymnastics Beginnings
Laurie Hernandez was born on June 9, 2000, in Costa Mesa, California. Her parents, Wanda and Anthony Hernandez, both of Puerto Rican descent, provided a supportive environment for her early development. Growing up with her siblings, sister Jelysa and brother Marcus, Laurie attended Abeka Academy High School in Old Bridge, New Jersey, which allowed her to balance her education with her rigorous gymnastics training. Specific details regarding her family’s income or financial background during her early years are not publicly available.
Hernandez began her gymnastics journey at a young age, displaying exceptional talent and dedication. At age 12, she participated in the U.S. Classic in 2012, finishing 11th in the junior division. This performance qualified her for the National Championships in St. Louis, where she placed 21st. In 2013, she secured the silver medal at the WOGA Classic. Her consistent progress led to a strong showing at the American Classic in Huntsville, Texas, where she placed first in the floor exercise, second in the all-around competition, and third in both balance beam and vault. These early achievements marked the beginning of her ascent in the world of gymnastics, setting the stage for her future successes.
Her early training and competitive appearances led to her being named to the U.S. junior national team. She competed in the U.S. Classic in Chicago, where she placed sixth all-around and won the floor exercise title. At the National Championships in August 2013, she secured the silver medal in the junior all-around competition. In September, she represented the U.S. at the Junior Japan International in Yokohama, finishing third, and also competed at the International Junior Mexican Cup with a team of three other girls, where they placed first in the team competition. Specific financial rewards or sponsorships earned during these early competitions are not detailed in available sources, but they would have contributed modestly to her early financial foundation. It is also important to note that most of her financial support at this time came from her family, but specific financial numbers related to this are not found in the source text.
Professional Gymnastics Career and Olympic Success
In 2014, Hernandez faced challenges due to injuries, including a fractured wrist and a dislocated kneecap. These setbacks required significant recovery time, keeping her out of training for about six months. Despite these obstacles, she made a comeback and was named to the U.S. team for the 2015 City of Jesolo Trophy, where she won the junior all-around title. At the 2015 U.S. Classic, she again won the junior all-around title and individual titles in vault and uneven bars. She continued her success at the National Championships, winning the junior all-around title. Her achievements led to her selection for the 2015 International Junior Japan Meet in Yokohama, where she won in the all-around, floor exercise, and vault. Though specific monetary earnings from these junior competitions are not detailed, they provided valuable experience and recognition that would later translate into more substantial financial opportunities. No known details on the specific type of compensation were earned during the 2015 season.
Hernandez transitioned to the senior level in 2016, making her debut at the City of Jesolo Trophy, where the U.S. team won the gold medal and she won the bronze medal in the all-around. She competed at the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships in April, where the American team also won first place. In June, she participated in the U.S. Classic, focusing on the bars event, and competed in all events at the National Championships a month later. At the Olympic Trials in July, she placed second in the all-around behind Simone Biles, earning her a spot on the U.S. Olympic team alongside Biles, Madison Kocian, Aly Raisman, and Gabby Douglas. Compensation details for her specific placement in the Olympic trials are not publicly accessible.
The pinnacle of Hernandez’s gymnastics career came at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. The U.S. team, often referred to as the “Final Five,” dominated the competition, winning the gold medal in the team event. Hernandez also secured an individual silver medal on the balance beam. While the exact monetary value of these medals is not uniformly fixed, gold medalists in the U.S. typically receive around $25,000, and silver medalists receive approximately $15,000 as a reward from the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). These amounts, however, represent a relatively small portion of the overall financial benefits derived from Olympic success. The true financial gain comes from increased endorsement opportunities and sponsorships that follow.
Following her Olympic success, Hernandez experienced a surge in endorsement opportunities. While specific details of each endorsement contract are not fully disclosed, it is known that she collaborated with major brands. These partnerships would have contributed significantly to her income, leveraging her high profile and positive image. Exact numbers related to the income from endorsements are not available, but it is estimated that these can reach high into the six figures annually for an Olympic athlete with Hernandez’s media presence.
Television Appearances and Media Ventures
After the Olympics, Hernandez capitalized on her fame by appearing on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2016. Paired with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, she won the competition, further increasing her public profile. Winning “Dancing with the Stars” typically comes with a Mirrorball trophy and a substantial paycheck. While the exact amount varies, contestants often receive a base payment for participating, with increasing amounts awarded as they advance through the rounds. Winners can earn upwards of $345,000 for the entire season. This win would have significantly contributed to her income in 2016.
In November 2017, Hernandez returned to the 25th season of “Dancing with the Stars” for a special dance number. She also hosted “American Ninja Warrior Junior” in 2018, expanding her presence in television. Additionally, she took on a voice role in the animated mini-series “Middle School Moguls” in the same year. The exact compensation for hosting “American Ninja Warrior Junior” and voice acting roles is not publicly detailed, but these roles would have provided additional income streams, adding to her overall net worth.
Return to Gymnastics and Subsequent Activities
After a hiatus from training, Hernandez returned to gymnastics in October 2018 and was invited to the national team training camp in November 2019. In 2020, she testified against her former coach, Maggie Haney, who was suspended by USA Gymnastics for abusive conduct. Hernandez described instances of humiliation and criticism related to her weight, which led to disordered eating. Although this period did not directly contribute to her financial gains, it underscored her resilience and integrity, qualities that can enhance her public image and potential future opportunities.
In February 2021, Hernandez returned to elite gymnastics at the 2021 Winter Cup, competing in two events and finishing fifth in the beam event. A few months later, she competed at the 2021 U.S. Championships but had to withdraw after hyperextending her knee. Consequently, she did not make the national team and could not compete at the Olympic Trials. However, she was featured in the 2021 Peacock docuseries, “Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts.” Specific financial compensation for these appearances and competitions in 2021 are not publicly detailed, but they would have contributed to her income to some extent. The opportunity to appear in a docuseries such as “Golden” provides exposure and likely generated income, though exact details of such contract agreements are not often released. Given her prior reputation in the sport, it would be likely that she would have received some compensation for appearing in the docuseries.
Literary Works and Personal Life
Hernandez has also authored books, including her 2017 memoir, “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond,” and a version for young readers, “She’s Got This,” in 2018. As a published author, Hernandez would have received royalties from book sales. Typically, royalties range from 5% to 15% of the book’s retail price, depending on the agreement with the publisher. Given the success and visibility of Hernandez, it is likely that her books generated a substantial amount of income through sales. The actual amount of royalties from her books is not public information. Hernandez has been dating fellow gymnast Charlotte Drury since December 2020. Further details about investment, real estate holdings, and private assets like cars or planes are not available in the provided information.
Laurie Hernandez’s net worth of $2 million is a culmination of her achievements as an Olympic gymnast, her success on “Dancing with the Stars,” endorsements, media appearances, and literary works. Her career trajectory illustrates how athletic success can translate into broader financial opportunities through strategic brand building and diversification into entertainment and media. As she continues to pursue various ventures, her net worth is expected to evolve further.
