How Eileen Gu became unlikely $23 million star as Olympics controversy resurfaces at 2026 Winter Games

Source: New York Post

Eileen Gu is skiing all the way to the bank — but she doesn’t necessarily have her sport to thank for that. The American-born freestyle skier, who was at the center of controversy during the 2022 Winter Games over her decision to represent China, has made a whopping $23 million from off-field endorsements and has netted an estimated $100,000 from competitions, according to a December report from Forbes highlighting the world’s highest-paid female athletes. Gu, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, earned about $40,000 for World Cup slopestyle and halfpipe triumphs in January 2025 and December 2025, respectively, according to Forbes.