Olympic diving legend Greg Louganis has revealed he was forced to sell several of his prized medals after running out of money.
The four-time gold medalist, often hailed as one of the greatest American divers in history, admitted he had to auction off two of his gold medals and one silver, selling them for a combined $437,000 after initially expecting just $80,000.
Now 65, Louganis opened up in an emotional Facebook post, explaining: “I told the truth; I needed the money. While many people may have built businesses and sold them for a profit, I had my medals, which I am grateful for. If I had proper management, I might not have been in that position, but what is done is done; live and learn.”
The Olympic icon, who dominated the sport through the 1970s and 1980s, first shocked fans during the 1988 Seoul Olympics when he famously hit his head on the springboard during a preliminary dive. Despite suffering a concussion, Louganis pushed through the pain and went on to win gold in both the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events.
In his candid message, Louganis also revealed he sold his California home and relocated to Panama as part of his financial and personal reset.
The diving star later opened up on Instagram Live about his mental health struggles, revealing that during the Paris Olympics last year, he experienced “severe, bad depression” and felt painfully isolated.
“I remember last year I was in Paris for the Olympics. I didn’t want to be here — not that I didn’t want to be in Paris, I didn’t want to be on this earth,” he confessed. “I just wanted somebody to take me out.”
Louganis, who was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1988, said surviving beyond what he once expected has brought new perspective: “I was prepared to die. I didn’t expect to see 30. We’re still here and I’m really embracing that. I’m learning I need to take charge of my own life. Everybody is healing from something.”
Over the years, Louganis transitioned into acting, motivational speaking, teaching, and Olympic analysis. He publicly came out as gay in 1994 and revealed his HIV diagnosis the following year, becoming an outspoken advocate for awareness and acceptance.