Mikaela Pauline Shiffrin is an American World Cup alpine skier who has won the most World Cups of any alpine skier in history, whether men or women.
She is also considered one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time, having won 2 Olympic Gold medals, 5 Overall World Cup Championships, 4 world champions in slalom, and an eight-time World Cup discipline winner.
Highlights
- Mikaela’s late father, Jeff Shiffrin, managed her finances and professional affairs, which became a cornerstone of her success.
- Eileen and Jeff Shiffrin were former ski racers whose passion greatly inspired Mikaela’s journey into competitive skiing.
- Following Jeff’s passing in 2020, Mikaela leaned on her family and embraced positivity, echoing her father’s optimistic philosophy.
Collecting medals and awards like Pokemon cards, Shiffin is considered the youngest slalom gold medalist in Olympic history.
Having an amazing daughter with a remarkable career where she is known worldwide, Mikaela’s parents must be very proud of their little girl.
So follow along and learn more about the American World Cup alpine skier and her family life.
Maikaela’s Father Passed Away When He Was Just 65-Year-Old
On February 2nd, 2020, Maikela’s dad, Jeff Shiffrin, died at the age of just 65 years after falling in his home, causing a head injury. His death left a deep hole in Mikaela’s life.
Looking back on how important her father was in influencing her career, Mikaela said he has been a driving force behind much of her success and has always been one of our biggest supporters.
In an interview, Maikaela has stated,
He was the CEO of Mikaela Shiffrin as a ski racer
Mikaela Shifrin
Jeff was deeply involved in managing her professional affairs, from handling finances to collaborating with her agent.
Moreover, Jeff’s demise came during the international crisis of COVID-19, which provided an unexpected time for the family to mourn and process together.
During this difficult moment, Mikaela found relief in working out in her home gym and other creative outlets, such as playing guitar, singing, and dancing.
She has also embraced her father’s philosophy of living: smiling releases chemicals in your brain that make you happier.
She also added saying,
We need positivity right now. I need positivity right now ; Sometimes when you’re down, you have to ‘fake it ’til you make it
Mikaela Shifrin
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Parents Were Both Former Ski Players, Which Must Have Enlighted Her To Play The Sport
Mikaela Shiffrin owes much of her success to her family’s strong support and helping her navigate to the sport.
Mikaela was born in Vail, Colorado, on March 13, 1995, to Eileen (née Condron) and Jeff Shiffrin.
Moreover, both of her parents are former ski racers, which must have helped Maikaela to lay a good foundation in skiing.
Maikeela’s father, Jeff Shiffri, was a New Jersey native who developed a love for skiing during weekends in Vermont.
Due to his passion for skiing, she enrolled and got into Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, where he competed as a ski racer.
The family had a competitive streak, brought further by Mikaela’s mother, Eileen.
Eileen raced in high school in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and became a prominent masters-level racer later in life.
Mikaela’s parent’s love story started when her dad was a 31-year-old physician completing his cardiothoracic rotation, and her mom was a 25-year-old ICU nurse.
Shiffrin’s brother, Taylor Shiffrin, followed a similar path and is competing for the University of Denver.
In 2003, the Shriffin family moved to New Hampshire because Mikaela’s dad, Jeff, took a position at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
This was when Mikaela began training in the ski-friendly region, balancing her education at Burke Mountain Academy, a renowned ski academy in Vermont.
Later, the family relocated to Colorado, where Mikaela’s skiing career gained momentum.
Additional Information
- Mikaela is in a relationship with Norwegian World Cup alpine ski racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The couple announced their engagement on April 4, 2024.
- Shiffrin made her World Cup debut on March 11, 2011, in giant slalom at Špindlerův Mlýn in the Czech Republic.
- Having a remarkable professional career, Mikaela’s estimated net worth is around $3 million.
