Katinka Hosszú is a Hungarian swimmer who has dominated the world of swimming for the past decade. Popular as “Iron Lady,” she has broken world records, won numerous medals, and inspired a generation of athletes to push their limits in the pool. In this article, we will explore her life, achievements, net worth, salary, and more.
About Katinka Hosszú
Born on May 3, 1989, in Pécs, Hungary, Katinka Hosszú was raised in a family with a strong swimming tradition. Both her parents, Barbara Bakos, and István Hosszú, were competitive swimmers, and her older brother also pursued the sport. She has two siblings named Ádám Hosszú, and Gergely Hosszú.
Early Life
Hosszú attended the University of Southern California (USC) in the United States, where she pursued a degree in psychology while competing for the USC Trojans swim team.
From a young age, Hosszú displayed a natural talent for swimming. By the age of 15, she was already competing at the international level, representing Hungary in various competitions.
Katinka Hosszú’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Katinka Hosszú’s net worth is estimated to be £5 million. Her wealth primarily comes from her successful swimming career, which includes prize money, sponsorship deals, and endorsements.
Major brands such as Arena, Swatch, and Gatorade have endorsed her over the years.
Katinka’s yearly salary comes from various sources, including prize money from competitions, sponsorship deals, and endorsements. On average, she earns approximately £1.5 million per year.
Apart from her prize and endorsement money, Katinka also owns ISL Team Iron as well as Iron Swim Budapest, a club team in her home country of Hungary. In the winter of 2021, she released a documentary about her swimming career: Katinka the Movie!
Not to forget, she earns a good amount of money from her social media as she has a large fan following.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Katinka Hosszú |
| Known as | Iron Lady |
| Birth Date | 3 May 1989 |
| Birth Place | Pécs, Hungary |
| Father | István Hosszú |
| Mother | Barbara Bakos |
| Siblings | N/A |
| High School | N/A |
| College | University of Southern California (USA) |
| Nationality | Hungarian |
| Age | 34 (as of 2023) |
| Height | 1.75 m |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Profession | Professional Swimmer |
| Position | Individual Medley Specialist |
| Debut year | 2004 |
| Spouse | Shane Tusup (2013-2018), Engaged to Máté Gelencsér |
| Children | N/A |
| Net Worth | £5 million (2023) |
| Social Media | Instagram
|
Spouse
Katinka Hosszú was married to Shane Tusup from 2013 to 2019. She then got engaged to Máté Gelencsér.
FAQs
Who is Katinka Hosszú?
Katinka Hosszú is a Hungarian professional swimmer, born on May 3, 1989, in Pécs, Hungary. She is known for her versatility in the pool and has earned the nickname “Iron Lady” due to her relentless competitive spirit and endurance.
What are Katinka Hosszú’s biggest achievements in swimming?
Hosszú is a three-time Olympic gold medalist, winning the 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley, and 400m individual medley at the Rio 2016 Olympics. She also holds multiple world records in the 200m and 400m individual medley events and has won numerous World Championship titles.
How did Katinka Hosszú get her start in swimming?
Hosszú began swimming at age five, influenced by her grandfather, a swim coach. She showed early promise and eventually moved to the United States to swim collegiately for the University of Southern California, where she had a standout career.
What is unique about Katinka Hosszú’s swimming style?
Hosszú is known for her incredible versatility. She competes in a wide range of events, including freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and individual medley. Her training regimen is intense, and she often competes in multiple events at a single meet, showcasing her stamina and adaptability.
What records does Katinka Hosszú hold?
Hosszú holds the world records for the 200m and 400m individual medley in both long-course and short-course formats. She has also set numerous Hungarian national records across various swimming disciplines.
What is the significance of the nickname “Iron Lady”?
The nickname “Iron Lady” was given to Hosszú by Chinese media after she consistently performed at a high level without showing signs of fatigue. She embraced the nickname and launched a swimwear line called “Iron Lady.”
What challenges has Katinka Hosszú faced in her career?
Despite her success, Hosszú has faced challenges, including a disappointing performance at the London 2012 Olympics, where she failed to medal. She used this setback as motivation to train harder, leading to her triumphant return at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
What did Katinka Hosszú study in college?
Hosszú attended the University of Southern California, where she studied psychology. During her time there, she won multiple NCAA titles and set several school records.
What are some of Katinka Hosszú’s interests outside of swimming?
Outside the pool, Hosszú enjoys basketball and is a fan of NBA superstar LeBron James. She has also authored a two-part book series and launched a YouTube channel called “Iron Nation” to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at her life and training.
What are Katinka Hosszú’s future goals?
Hosszú has set her sights on winning 100 international medals, a milestone no swimmer has yet achieved. As of the latest updates, she is just a few medals away from reaching this goal, continuing to compete at the highest levels in international swimming competitions.



