Shaun Roger White, an American former professional snowboarder and skateboarder, is a five-time Olympian and a three-time Olympic gold medalist in half-pipe snowboarding. He holds the world record for the most X Games gold medals and most Olympic gold medals by a snowboarder. He has also won 10 ESPY Awards in various categories throughout his career.
Shaun White’s Biography
| Full name | Shaun Roger White |
| Nickname | The Flying Tomato |
| Birth date | September 3, 1986 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 154 lb (70 kg) |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Current net worth | $65 million |
| Relationship status | In a relationship |
| Girlfriend | Nina Dobrev |
| Instagram profile | @shaunwhite |
Shaun White was born in San Diego, California, on September 3, 1986, to Cathy and Roger White. He is the youngest of four children.
His mother was a waitress, and his father, who grew up surfing, worked for the San Clemente, California, water department. His ancestry includes Irish and Italian.
Early Life
White was born with a congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, which required two open-heart operations before he turned one. Despite this early health challenge, he developed a passion for sports at a young age.
He began skateboarding after following his older brother, Jesse, to the nearby Encinitas YMCA. At six, he took up snowboarding, a skill that would later define his career.
Early Career
Shaun White began his sports career by following his older brother to the nearby YMCA and taking up skateboarding. He also started snowboarding at the age of six.
Despite his early health challenges due to a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot, White was active from a young age and quickly excelled in both sports.
White’s skills drew admirers from an early age. Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk befriended and mentored the nine-year-old White at the Encinitas, California, YMCA skate park.
This mentorship helped White turn pro in skateboarding at the age of 16.
Professional Career
White’s professional snowboarding and skateboarding career began at a young age.
He made his Winter X Games debut in 2000 and won five slopestyle titles (2003–06, 2009) and superpipe titles in 2003, 2006, and 2008–13.
White entered the professional skateboard circuit in 2003, becoming the first athlete to compete in the Winter and the original (Summer) X Games.
He won gold medals in the vertical, or vert, skateboarding event at the Summer X Games in 2007 and 2011.
White’s Olympic career began in 2006 at the Turin Winter Olympics, where he won his first gold medal in the half-pipe event.
He repeated this feat at the Vancouver 2010 and PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, winning gold medals in the half-pipe event.
White finished fourth in the half-pipe at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and subsequently announced his retirement.
In addition to his sports career, White has also achieved significant accomplishments in the business world.
He has been a valuable brand ambassador for several companies, including Burton Snowboards, Oakley Inc., Red Bull, Ubisoft, and Hewlett-Packard.
He has also launched successful clothing lines for Target and Macy’s.
Girlfriend
Shaun White is currently in a relationship with actress Nina Dobrev. The couple first met briefly at an awards show in 2012, but it wasn’t until 2019 that they were formally introduced. They started dating in 2020 and have been together since then.
Shaun White’s Net Worth Details
Shaun White’s net worth is estimated to be $65 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his prize money as a professional snowboarder and skateboarder, endorsements, and other sources.
Career Earnings
Shaun White earns an estimated $10 million annually from endorsements and sponsorships. He has been sponsored by companies such as Burton Snowboards, Oakley, Inc., and Red Bull.
White’s financial success is bolstered by his involvement in various business ventures, including his lifestyle brand and real estate investments.
It was reported that in 2009, White earned $9 million.
Prize Money
Shaun White’s earnings from prize money have been substantial throughout his career, although the exact total is not readily available.
Some notable earnings include:
- For the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, White earned $37,500 for his gold medal in the men’s halfpipe competition. This was the highest prize money the United States Olympic Committee had ever awarded at the time.
- In one event, White earned $100,000 for being the Global Open Champ, $20,000 for 1st Place in Halfpipe, and $90,000 for 3rd Place in Slopestyle, along with a new Corvette.
Endorsements
Shaun White has had numerous endorsements throughout his career, including deals with major brands like Burton Snowboards, Oakley, Inc., Park City Mountain Resort, and Target Corporation.
He also has his own line of snowboarding gear and apparel.
Career Achievements
- Gold Medal- 2006 Winter Olympics
- First-ever athlete to compete and medal in both the Summer and Winter X Games.
- Gold Medal-2010 Winter Olympics
- Gold Medal- 2016 Winter Olympics
- World record in the most number of X games gold games, medals, and Olympic gold medals by any skateboarder
FAQs
1. Who is Shaun White?
Shaun White is a retired professional snowboarder, skateboarder, and three-time Olympic gold medalist in halfpipe snowboarding. Born on September 3, 1986, in San Diego, California, he is also the most decorated athlete in X Games history with 15 gold medals.
2. What are Shaun White’s major achievements?
Shaun White has won three Olympic gold medals (2006, 2010, 2018) in snowboarding and holds the record for the most X Games gold medals. He also became the first athlete to compete in both Winter and Summer X Games and scored a perfect 100 in the Winter X Games SuperPipe in 2012.
3. What health challenges did Shaun White face as a child?
Shaun White was born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, requiring two open-heart surgeries before the age of one. Despite this, he pursued sports like snowboarding and skateboarding from a young age without limitations.
4. Why is Shaun White called “The Flying Tomato”?
Shaun White earned the nickname “The Flying Tomato” due to his long red hair and his high-flying snowboarding tricks during his early career. The name became widely recognized after his debut at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
5. How did Shaun White perform at the Olympics?
Shaun White won gold in halfpipe snowboarding at the 2006 (Turin), 2010 (Vancouver), and 2018 (PyeongChang) Winter Olympics. He placed fourth in both the 2014 (Sochi) and 2022 (Beijing) Games, marking his retirement after the latter.
6. When did Shaun White turn professional?
Shaun White turned professional in snowboarding at age 13 and skateboarding at age 17. He was mentored by Tony Hawk as a young skateboarder, which helped him gain recognition in both sports.
7. What other ventures is Shaun White involved in?
Beyond sports, Shaun White is an entrepreneur, musician, and philanthropist. He has worked with brands like Burton and Red Bull, co-founded a music festival called Air + Style, and supports charities like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
8. What is Shaun White’s signature trick?
Shaun White is known for pioneering tricks like the Double McTwist 1260 (two flips with three-and-a-half spins) and landing back-to-back 1440s during his gold-medal-winning run at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
9. What setbacks has Shaun White faced in his career?
Shaun White experienced setbacks such as missing qualification for the 2002 Olympics by 0.3 points and finishing fourth at both the 2014 and 2022 Winter Olympics. He also overcame injuries, including requiring 62 stitches after a crash in 2017.
10. Why did Shaun White retire from competitive snowboarding?
Shaun White retired after finishing fourth at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, citing his desire to move on to new ventures while reflecting on a successful career spanning over two decades in competitive sports.
