Gabby Douglas Biography

Gabby Douglas, born Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas on December 31, 1995, is a renowned artistic gymnast known by the nicknames Flying Squirrel, Golden Gabby, and Brie.

Gabby Douglas Height, Weight, Age, Biography, Affairs & More

She made her international debut at the 2011 World Championships under the mentorship of coach Christian Gallardo, alongside former coaches Kittia Carpenter, Dena Walker, Gustavo Moure, and Liang Chow. Douglas’s career soared to new heights during the 2012 Olympics, marking a pivotal turning point in her journey.

Education

Gabby Douglas’s hometown is Des Moines, Iowa. She was homeschooled for her education and did not attend college, completing her high school qualifications through homeschooling.

Age

Gabby Douglas was born on December 31, 1995, in Newport News, Virginia, making her a Capricorn by zodiac sign. As of 2016, she was 21 years old and holds American nationality.

Physical Stats

Gabby Douglas stands at 157 cm (5′ 2″) and weighs 61 kg (134.5 lbs). Her body measurements are approximately 32-24-33. She possesses striking black eyes and hair, adding to her captivating presence.

Husband

As of now, Gabby Douglas is unmarried.

Family

Gabby Douglas comes from a close-knit Christian family. Her father, Timothy Douglas, and mother, Natalie Hawkins, have been significant pillars of support throughout her journey. She has a brother named John and sisters named Joyelle and Arielle. Embracing her Afro-American ethnicity, Gabby finds strength in her family’s faith and unity.

Gabby Douglas Father Timothy Douglas

Gabby Douglas with her Siblings

Junior Career

2008

Douglas entered the international scene in 2008 at the US Classic in Houston, Texas, securing 10th place in the all-around. She continued to showcase her talent at the 2008 Visa Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, finishing 16th and missing eligibility for the 2008 Junior Women’s National Team.

2009

In 2009, Douglas faced a setback when she suffered a fracture in the growth plate of her wrist, forcing her to miss the 2009 Covergirl US Classic. Although she participated in the 2009 Visa Championships in Dallas, Texas, she could only perform on balance beam and floor exercise due to her injury.

2013–2014

In August 2013, Gabby Douglas relocated from Missy Parton’s home to Los Angeles to reunite with her family. Despite no longer training with Chow, she remained dedicated to her Olympic aspirations. After attending numerous national team camps in 2014, Douglas was reinstated to the U.S. national team on November 25, 2014, alongside Olympic teammate Aly Raisman and former Chow’s Gymnastics teammate Rachel Gowey.

2022–Present: Comeback

In October 2022, reports surfaced that Gabby Douglas had resumed training at WOGA, confirmed by coach Valeri Liukin in February 2023. Douglas herself announced via Instagram in July 2023 her intention to compete at the 2024 Olympics. Despite initial plans to return at the 2024 Winter Cup, she withdrew due to a positive COVID-19 test. After a brief hiatus, Douglas returned to WOGA in late February 2024 to resume training for the upcoming season.

Awards and Honors

In December 2012, Gabby Douglas was honored as the Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, making her the fourth gymnast to receive this recognition. She was also nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year. Additionally, in June 2013, Douglas received two BET Awards in recognition of her outstanding achievements.

Competitive History

Net Worth

Gabby Douglas earns an estimated salary of $100,000, with an approximate net worth of $3 million.

Some Lesser Known Facts About Gabby Douglas

• Gabby Douglas almost quit gymnastics due to a toxic environment at her Virginia gym, where she faced racism from fellow gymnasts. She found solace and support in Des Moines, Iowa, training under former Olympian Shawn Johnson.
• She was part of the American US team at the 2012 Olympics, contributing to winning a gold medal for the team alongside Aly Raisman and three other teammates.
• Gabby Douglas is the first African-American woman to win the all-around gymnastics championship in the Olympics, as well as the first American to win both the all-around and team events in the same Olympic meet.
• Despite criticism of her mother’s appearance at the Olympics, Gabby has achieved numerous accolades, including winning gold at the 2011 and 2015 World Championships and a silver medal in the 2015 World Championships.
• Her success has garnered media attention, leading to appearances in the 2012 Lifetime biopic film “The Gabby Douglas Story” and the reality series “Douglas Family Gold.”
• Gabby started training in gymnastics at the age of six and won the 2008 Virginia state Championship at the age of eight. She moved to Des Moines, Iowa, to train under coach Liang Chow while her parents stayed in Virginia for her siblings’ education.
• Despite injuries, including a fractured wrist and hamstring strain, Gabby persevered in her gymnastics career, winning the 2016 AT&T American Cup and the all-around contest at the 2016 City of Jesolo Trophy.
• She released her autobiography “Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith” in December 2012, which debuted at number four on the New York Times’ young best time.
• Gabby Douglas has two dogs: Zoway, a black Labrador and Rottweiler mix, and a white Morkie, a Maltese and Yorkie mix, which she had to leave behind in Virginia when she moved to Iowa.

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