Lindsey Vonn: A Life in the Spotlight
Lindsey Vonn has navigated much of her adult existence under the intense glare of public scrutiny. As one of alpine skiing's most decorated athletes, her professional triumphs on the slopes are extensively chronicled. However, her personal life—marked by marriages, high-profile romances, and subsequent separations—has equally captivated global attention, unfolding like a dramatic narrative alongside her sporting legacy.
Marriage to Thomas Vonn
Vonn's marital journey began in September 2007 when she married fellow American skier Thomas Vonn, who later transitioned into her coach. The union lasted four years, with the couple separating in 2011 and finalizing their divorce in 2013. Despite the dissolution, Lindsey opted to retain the Vonn surname professionally, asserting it had become an integral part of her identity, symbolizing her enduring connection to the sport.
High-Profile Relationships
Following her divorce, Vonn entered one of her most widely discussed relationships with golf legend Tiger Woods. The pair confirmed their romance in 2013 after meeting at a charity event, frequently appearing together at tournaments and award ceremonies, bridging two elite sporting worlds. In May 2015, they announced their split, attributing it to demanding schedules and prolonged time apart. Vonn later reflected that the relationship was supportive yet intensely challenging.
In the ensuing years, Vonn's dating life continued to attract media fascination. She briefly dated actor Alexander Ludwig in 2016, though the liaison was short-lived. Subsequently, she spent over a year with Kenan Smith, a former NFL assistant coach, with the relationship ending in late 2017 reportedly due to distance and professional commitments.
Her most serious post-Woods relationship was with ice hockey star P.K. Subban. The couple began dating in 2018, quickly emerging as one of sports' most recognizable pairs. In 2019, they announced their engagement, but by December 2020, they revealed their decision to separate, citing divergent personal growth. Both emphasized the split was amicable, devoid of bitterness.
Vonn later dated Diego Osorio, a Mexican entrepreneur and tequila brand founder. Their relationship, public since 2021, appeared stable for several years before concluding quietly in early 2025. Since then, Vonn has stated her focus is on health, professional endeavors, and a return to competitive skiing.
The 2026 Olympic Crash: A Stark Reminder of Risk
That focus was severely tested in a dramatic incident at Cortina d'Ampezzo during the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old American, competing with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), lost control mere seconds into her downhill run. She was violently thrown off the course at high speed, necessitating an immediate medical response and helicopter evacuation.
Vonn's Olympic downhill lasted a mere 12–13 seconds. Wearing bib number 13 and a knee brace, she clipped an early gate, was launched into the air, and crashed heavily, coming to rest off the track. Audible screams of pain were broadcast on live television as medics rushed to assist. A helicopter airlifted her to Codivilla Putti Hospital in Cortina for assessment, with stunned spectators applauding as she was transported away.
This crash served as a sobering reminder of the perils Vonn has consistently embraced throughout her career. Born in Minnesota in 1984, she achieved four overall World Cup titles, 84 World Cup race victories, and three Olympic medals, including gold at Vancouver 2010. After retiring in 2019, she returned to competition post-surgery, determined to race on her own terms, underscoring her unwavering resilience and dedication to alpine skiing.
