Gen Z Olympian Eileen Gu Balances School, Sports and Lucrative Deals

The 22-year-old Stanford student is already one of the highest-paid female athletes, earning over $23 million in 2025.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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At just 22 years old, Eileen Gu is one of the world's top freestyle skiers, having won four Olympic medals. But she's also a full-time student at Stanford University, juggling her athletic career with her studies and a booming portfolio of brand deals that have made her the fourth-highest-paid woman in sports, earning over $23 million in 2025 - more than stars like Naomi Osaka and Caitlin Clark.

Why it matters

Gu's success at a young age challenges the notion that athletes must choose between academics and their sport. Her ability to excel in both realms, while also building a lucrative personal brand, serves as an inspiration for Gen Z athletes who are looking to chart their own path to success.

The details

Gu, who was born in San Francisco and raised by her Chinese immigrant mother, began skiing at age 3 and was covering her own private high school tuition with brand endorsements by her teenage years. After winning two gold medals and one silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Gu has continued to thrive, landing deals with major brands like Red Bull, Porsche, and TCL. Despite her hectic schedule, which has included walking runways for Victoria's Secret and Louis Vuitton, Gu has maintained her studies at Stanford, where she is pursuing a degree in international relations.

  • Gu began skiing at age 3.
  • By her teenage years, Gu was earning enough from endorsements to cover her own private high school tuition.
  • Gu won two gold medals and one silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
  • In 2025, Gu earned an estimated $23.1 million, making her the fourth-highest-paid woman in sports.
  • Gu is currently on leave from Stanford University to compete in the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games.

The players

Eileen Gu

A 22-year-old freestyle skier who is a student at Stanford University and one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world, earning over $23 million in 2025.

Naomi Osaka

A professional tennis player who Gu has surpassed in earnings.

Caitlin Clark

A professional basketball player who Gu has surpassed in earnings.

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What they’re saying

“It's important to show young people that you don't have to wait until you're older. You can do it all now.”

— Eileen Gu (TIME)

“I'm a full-time student who's really athletic. I can have a conversation with a physicist and stand my ground, and I can also walk a runway show the next day. I think that is pretty revolutionary, especially as a young person. Because the whole multihyphenate thing often happens in different stages in life.”

— Eileen Gu (TIME)

“I was able to pay for my own tuition from my freshman year of high school onwards. That was a point of pride for me.”

— Eileen Gu (The Burnouts podcast)

“After some critical reflection, I realized that what is really fulfilling and meaningful beyond personal success is actually collective success — to share with others what you are so fortunate to have and to use your voice and platform for something positive.”

— Eileen Gu (Vogue Hong Kong)

What’s next

Gu is slated to compete in women's slopestyle, big air, and halfpipe events at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Games.

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's remarkable success as a young, multitalented athlete and entrepreneur challenges the traditional path to achievement, showing that Gen Z can excel in both academics and athletics while also building lucrative personal brands. Her story serves as an inspiration for young people to pursue their passions and not be limited by their age.