Florence Griffith Joyner also well known by the name Flo Jo was a professional track and field athlete. She was born on 21st of December, 1959 and was known by nicknames such as Flo Jo and Fastest Woman in the World because of her speed. Here are some of the details about her personal and professional life.
Personal Basic Information
| Full Name | Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner |
| Nick Name | Flo Jo, Fastest Women in the World |
| Father’s Name | Robert Griffith |
| Mother’s Name | Florence Griffith |
| Date of Birth (Born) | December 21, 1959 |
| Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Current Age | Age: 66 years, 2 months, and 26 days as of today. Time left for next birthday: 9 months and 5 days. |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) |
| Weight | 126 pounds (57 kg) |
| Net worth | Approx. $1 million dollars as of March 2025 |
| Marriage Status | Married |
| Husband’s Name | Al Joyner |
| Kids Name | Mary Ruth Joyner |
| High school | Jordan High School, located in Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Retirement | Retired in February 1989 at the age of 29 years |
Florence Griffith Joyner’s Net Worth
During the time of her death in the 1998, her net worth was approximately between $1 to $2 million dollars, some of the sources of her income were:
- Track & Field Earnings: Florence was amongst the top athletes of her time, hence she was getting paid for her appearances and after her performance at the Seoul Olympics 1988, Florence started getting more recognition and started earning more.
- Endorsements: After achieving 3 gold medals at the Seoul Olympics, Florence started getting more brand deals. She was involved with several companies such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and many more and has earned around $1 to $3 million dollars.
- Books: She has written her own autobiography and has also authored many children’s books such as Running for Dandelions and Fast Forward: The World of Florence Griffith Joyner. She has earned approximately $100,000–$300,000 dollars from their sales and royalties.
- Fashion Design and Business Ventures: Florence has always had a passion and enthusiasm for fashion designing, often designing her own clothes and down the line she even launched her own clothing brand, she has earned around $50,000-$200,000 dollars from it.
- TV Appearances & Media: Florence has even made some appearances in multiple TV shows as a guest and has done a lot of interviews as well. She has even appeared on many Talk Shows and through this source she has earned around $100,000–$200,000 dollars.
- Government Appointment: In 1993, she was honoured by the President of the USA of that time Mr. Bill Clinton with the position of President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In this position, her role was to promote physical education and a healthy lifestyle amongst the citizens of the country.
- Motivational Speaking & Public Engagements: She also used to do public speaking and was a brave speaker, speaking and advocating on many different topics such as women empowerment, fitness and many others. Florence’s speaking fees were around $10,000–$25,000 per event.
Florence Griffith Joyner’s ( Flo Jo ) Net Worth
During the time of her death in the 1998, her net worth was approximately between $1 to $2 million dollars, some of the sources of her income were:
- Track & Field Earnings: Florence was amongst the top athletes of her time, hence she was getting paid for her appearances and after her performance at the Seoul Olympics 1988, Florence started getting more recognition and started earning more.
- Endorsements: After achieving 3 gold medals at the Seoul Olympics, Florence started getting more brand deals. She was involved with several companies such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and many more and has earned around $1 to $3 million dollars.
- Books: She has written her own autobiography and has also authored many children’s books such as Running for Dandelions and Fast Forward: The World of Florence Griffith Joyner. She has earned approximately $100,000–$300,000 dollars from their sales and royalties.
- Fashion Design and Business Ventures: Florence has always had a passion and enthusiasm for fashion designing, often designing her own clothes and down the line she even launched her own clothing brand, she has earned around $50,000-$200,000 dollars from it.
- TV Appearances & Media: Florence has even made some appearances in multiple TV shows as a guest and has done a lot of interviews as well. She has even appeared on many Talk Shows and through this source she has earned around $100,000–$200,000 dollars.
- Government Appointment: In 1993, she was honoured by the President of the USA of that time Mr. Bill Clinton with the position of President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In this position, her role was to promote physical education and a healthy lifestyle amongst the citizens of the country.
- Motivational Speaking & Public Engagements: She also used to do public speaking and was a brave speaker, speaking and advocating on many different topics such as women empowerment, fitness and many others. Florence’s speaking fees were around $10,000–$25,000 per event.
Florence Griffith Joyner’s Early Life and Childhood
Florence Griffith ( Flo Jo) was born in Los Angeles which is in the city California, USA on 21st of December, 1959. Her father Robert Griffith was an electronics technician and Florence’s mother Florence Griffith was a seamstress.
Florance had ten siblings and when she was very young, her parents got divorced and her mother raised her on her own.
When Florence was very young, a riot broke out in the Watts neighbourhood, where she was residing and despite facing so many challenges during her childhood. Florence’s mother admitted her in an after-school programme where she used to train and polish her running skills.
Education and the Beginning of Sports Career
Florence went to Jordan High School in Los Angles, where she was known for her unique style and running speed and ever since she was young, she had a passion for fashion and wished to become a fashion designer.
After graduating from high school, she took admission at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she trained under coach Bob Kersee but because of financial issues at home, Florence had to quit college and work as a bank teller in order to make a living.
After some time, her coach Bob Kersee helped in resuming her studies by offering her financial support through which she started going to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she majored in psychology.
Professional Career
1983-1986: In the year 1983, Florence debuted at the IAAF World Championship which was held in Finland. There, she earned the 4th place upon defeating Marita Koch and Grace Jackson.
In 1984, she participated in the Summer Olympics, Los Angeles, USA, where she won a silver medal in the 200m category against Valerie Brisco Hooks. From 1985 to 1986, she took a break, focused more on fashion and got married to Al Joyner.
1987-1988: She returned to the sports world after her one-year hiatus in the year 1987, and competed at the World Championship held in Rome, Italy, where she won the 5th prize in 200m race and a silver medal in the 4x100m relay against defeating Marlies Göhr, Grace Johnson and the East Germany team.
In 1988, at the U.S Olympic Trials, Florence made a world record in 100m at 10.49s which has yet to be broken.
1988-1989: At the Seoul Olympics 1988, Florence achieved three gold in 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay and a silver medal in 4x400m Relay. There she competed against many players like Evelyn Ashford, Grace Jackson, and many others.
Just after the Olympics in 1989 at the mere age of 29 years, Florence quit her professional track and field career in order to pursue fashion, acting and philanthropy as a career.
Achievements / Awards / Medals
In the professional journey of track and field, Florence Griffith Joyner has made many achievements and we are listing some of them here:
International Achievements
- 1983: After debuting in 1983, she won the 4th place in the 200m at the World Championships after competing against Marita Koch, Kathy Cook and Grace Jackson.
- 1984: At the Los Angeles Olympic Games, Florence achieved her first Olympic silver medal in the 200m category after competing against Valerie Brisco-Hooks and Merlene Ottey.
- 1987: At the World Championship which was held in Rome, Florence participated and won the 5th place after competing against Silke Gladisch, Grace Jackson, and Heike Drechsler.
- 1988: During the Seoul Olympic Games, Florence had a great win by achieving three gold medals in 200m, 100m and 4x100m Relay and a silver in the 4x400m Relay after defeating players like Evelyn Ashford, Heike Drechsler, Grace Jackson and many others.
National Achievements
- 1984: During the 1984 US Olympic Trials which were being held in Los Angeles, Florence claimed the 2nd place in the 200m and got qualified for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
- 1988: During the USA Olympic trial in Indianapolis, USA, Florence achieved the 1st place in the 100m and 200m and got qualified for the 1988 Seoul Olympics which were being held in the capital city Seoul of South Korea.
Married Life and Family
Florence and Al Joyner, an Olympic triple jump gold medallist, met each other during the 1980s and because of their common interest and passion for sports. They bonded well with each other. On 7th of October, 1987, they tied the knot and among the public, they were known as a power couple. She often mentioned about Al and how his support helped her in performing better. Florence and Al had a beautiful daughter named Mary Ruth Joyner.
- Mary Ruth Joyner: She was born on November 15, 1990, Mary lost her mother when she was 7 years old and after completing her studies. Later, she pursued a career in music and has even appeared on the America’s Got Talent show.
Death
At the age of 38 years on September 21, 1998, Florence Griffith passed away in her sleep due to an epileptic seizure in her Mission Viejo house in California. After her death, Al Joyner was deeply affected.