Janica Kostelic Biography: Age, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Height, Instagram, Awards

Janica Kostelić is a retired Croatian alpine ski racer celebrated for her remarkable career achievements.

She made history at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City by winning three gold medals and one silver.

She became the first female skier to accomplish this feat and the first Croatian to earn Olympic medals in winter sports.

Over her career, Kostelić claimed five World Championship golds and triumphed in 30 World Cup races, solidifying her place as one of the greatest female ski racers in history.

Profile

• Full Name: Janica Kostelic
• Born: January 5 1982
• Age: 42 years old
• Birthplace: Zagreb, Croatia
• Nationality: Croatian
• Occupation: Croatian former alpine ski racer.
• Height: 1.75 m
• Parents: Ante Kostelić ,Marica Kostelić
• Siblings: Ivica Kostelić
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Oskar
• Relationship: Unmarried
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life And Education

Janica Kostelić was born on January 5, 1982, in Zagreb, SR Croatia, Yugoslavia, to Ante and Mara Kostelić.

Her parents were former elite handball players, contributing to a strong athletic lineage in the Kostelić family.

Ante Kostelić, who also served as Janica’s coach throughout her skiing career, was a former team handball player at the highest level.

Her mother, Mara, was similarly skilled in handball, and this athletic background played a significant role in Janica’s development as an athlete.

Janica has one sibling, Ivica Kostelić, born on November 23, 1979, who is also a highly successful alpine skier and an Olympic medalist with four silver medals.

Janica’s educational background is not widely known, but her early commitment to skiing is well-documented.

She began skiing at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the sport. Janica identifies as a Catholic and is of Croatian ethnicity.

Career

Janica Kostelić’s journey in alpine skiing began at a young age. She made her Olympic debut at just 16 during the 1998 Nagano Winter Games, finishing eighth in the combined event.

Despite this early setback, Kostelić’s talent and determination quickly became apparent. By 2001, she had earned the prestigious overall World Cup title, which solidified her as one of the sport’s top competitors.

She dominated, securing three World Cup overall titles in 2001, 2003, and 2006. On January 15, 2006, Kostelić made history by becoming the third woman in World Cup history to win races in all five alpine skiing disciplines. Just weeks later, on February 5, 2006, she became the second female skier to win all five disciplines in one season.

Kostelić’s breakthrough came at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, where she made history by winning three gold medals and one silver.

This achievement marked the first Winter Olympic medals ever for Croatia. Kostelić was the only female alpine skier to win four medals, including three golds, at a single Olympic Games.

Her incredible performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics cemented her status as one of the greatest alpine skiers in history.

She continued her dominance in the World Cup, winning the overall title again in 2003, though a series of injuries tempered her success.

In 2004, Kostelić faced significant setbacks due to multiple knee surgeries and a thyroid operation. These health challenges led to her missing the 2004 season, marking the only year between 1998 and 2006 that she did not win the Croatian Sportswoman of the Year award.

Despite these obstacles, Kostelić bounced back in the 2006 season, capturing her third World Cup overall title and securing top-five finishes in all four disciplines, including a number-one ranking in slalom.

Her remarkable consistency in 2006 earned her the “Sportswoman of the Year” award at the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Throughout her career, Kostelić accumulated 30 World Cup victories across all five disciplines, including 20 in slalom, six combined, 2 in giant slalom, 1 in super-G, and 1 in downhill.

She also earned five gold medals at the World Championships, showcasing her versatility and dominance in alpine skiing.

However, the toll of chronic injuries, including ten knee surgeries and thyroid surgery, led her to announce her retirement in April 2007 at just 25 years old.

Despite her relatively short career, Kostelić’s legacy as a symbol of excellence, resilience, and determination in alpine skiing still endures.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @janicakostelicfans

Personal Life

Janica Kostelić, the retired Croatian alpine ski champion, has generally kept her personal life private. On January 1, 2019, she became a mother for the first time, welcoming a son named Oskar.

While her partner’s identity remains undisclosed, reports have suggested that she plans to marry him in the future. Currently, Kostelić is not officially married; some sources indicate she may be single.

Despite her success in the public eye, she has managed to maintain a level of privacy about her relationships.

Net Worth

Janica Kostelić’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, mainly due to her successful career in alpine skiing.

She earned significant accolades throughout her career, including four Olympic gold medals and numerous World Cup victories.

Beyond her earnings from competitions, Kostelić has also benefited from investments in real estate, contributing to her financial portfolio.