Susie O'Neill

About

Former competitive swimmer often referred to as "Madame Butterfly," famous for her massively successful career which included 8 Olympic medal wins. She has also served as a commentator for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the co-host of Nova 106.9's morning radio show, Ash, Luttsy & Susie. She is also an ambassador for the Fred Hollows Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on the treatment and prevention of blindness.

Before Fame

While attending Lourdes Hill College, she set numerous school swimming records in backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle. She made her international debut at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, where she won a gold and a silver medal. 

Trivia

Some of her many accolades outside of her Olympic wins include the Australian Sports Awards' Female Athlete of the Year in 1996 and the Favorite Female Sports Star at the 1998 and 1999 Australian People's Choice Awards.

Family Life

She is the daughter of Trish and John O'Neill. She has a brother and a sister. In 1998, she married her husband Cliff Fairley, with whom she has 2 children.

Associated With

She earned her nickname "Madame Butterfly" by beating the 19-year standing world record of Mary T Meagher in the 200m butterfly at the 2000 Olympic Games Trials.