Carl Lewis is a 9-times Olympic Champion male track and field athlete. He is one of only four Olympic athletes who consecutively won Gold in the Olympic games medal four times in the same individual event.
It makes sense to say he lives a luxurious life with his hard-earned money. Alongside being a former track and field athlete, Carl Lewis is also an actor, businessman, and commentator.
Lewis had also tried his hands on the Democrats in the New Jersey Senate. However, he was removed from the ballot.
Carl stood as one of the top 20 richest Olympians in the world.
Carl Lewis | Quick Facts
| Full Name | Frederick Carlton Lewis |
| Date of Birth | July 1, 1961 |
| Birth Place | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Nick Name | Carl Lewis |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Age | 62 years old |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches / 1.88 meters / 188cm |
| Weight | 176 lb / 80 kg |
| Hair Color | Not Available |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Build | Athletic |
| Father’s Name | William Lewis |
| Mother’s Name | Evelyn nee Lawler Lewis |
| Siblings | Two elder brothers; Cleveland Lewis and Mackie Lewis A younger sister, Carol Lewis |
| Education | Willingboro High School, University of Houston |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Maria Carl Lewis |
| Kids | Bakim Lewis |
| Profession | Track and field athlete, Coach, Businessman, Actor |
| Active Years | 1979-1996 |
| Net Worth | $20 Million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Merch | Signed USA Custom Stitched Pro Style Track & Field Jersey, Inside Track: Autobiography |
| Last Update | April, 2024 |
Carl Lewis | Early Life
Fully named Frederick Carlton Lewis, widely known as Carl Lewis, has been listed as one of the most outstanding track & field athletes of all time. Starting to appear in games in 1979 professionally, Carl played till 1996.
Lewis has garnered nine Olympic Gold medals, one Olympic Silver medal, and ten World Championships, eight of which are Gold.
He also posted new world records for the 100 m, four × 100 m, and four × 200 m relays during the tenure. Furthermore, in the year between 1981 to the early 1990s, Lewis dominated the field and frequently ranked in the world’s top rankings.
Not to mention, he holds the sport’s longest victories streak, which is 65 consecutive wins in the long jump in ten years. Indeed, he has had 71 jumps in over 28 feet throughout his journey.
Accolades And Achievements
He is the only man with a successful defense in his Olympic long jump title. Apparently, his honorable career made him achieve many feats.
Of course, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2010 and in 2016 the Texas Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Alongside it, his alma mater (the University of Houston) named a complex after him the Carl Lewis International Complex.
Advancing to his personal best, Lewis’s 100 meters period span is 9.86 seconds, 200 meters in 19.75 seconds, four × 100 m relays in 37.40 seconds, and four × 200 m relays in 1:18.68 minutes.
Following it, his long jump record is maintained at 8.87 meters (29 feet 1 inch). Some of his awards to date are listed as;
- 1999 – Sportsman of the Century by the International Olympic Committee
- 1999 – World Athlete of the Century” by the International Association of Athletics Federations
- Olympian of the Century in 1999 by Sports Illustrated
- Athlete of the year by Track and Field News in 1982, 1983 and 1984
View Points On Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The nine-time Olympic gold medalist said that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics should be held off till 2022 rather than being canceled. Moreover, he hoped that while conducting it in 2022, the Summer and Winter Olympics could be held together.
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak and pandemic that followed, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics could not be held as scheduled. Hence, several rumors about the Olympics being canceled started swirling around.
So, America’s most decorated track and field athlete suggested that it was time to focus on people and bringing the world together rather than the Olympics. Furthermore, he said,
“Let’s wipe the season clean, focus on the (2021) worlds and get it together. It’s going to hurt a lot, but wipe it clean.“
Similarly, he grilled the IOC for a definite decision regarding the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and requested not to keep thousands of athletes in limbo. The track and field coach at the University of Houston said,
“It is just too big an event for everyone not to have it. Athletes deserve to have it. It’s no one’s fault but everyone’s problem“.
Is Carl Lewis A Millionaire?
Often compared with the legendary runner, Usain Bolt, Lewis is a dominant sprinter himself. During the tenure of his nearly two-decades-long career and with his work to date, Lewis depicts a net worth of $20 million.
Well, without a doubt, Carl Lewis is a millionaire; he is estimated to have earned more than $115 million in his entire career.
In 2018, Carl also stood at number 1 for People With Money’s top 10 highest-paid athletes.
Additionally, a single Gold medal in Olympics earns a reward of $37,500 , while a Silver medal brings $22,500 for an athlete.
Also, counting Lewis’s medals, he has had plenty of them. Also, it was reported that back in his days, his single international track and field earned him $50,000 at a time.
Apart from his career, Lewis is a part of many brand endorsements like Nike, CoverGirl cosmetics, etc.
Endorsement Deals And Sponsorships
During the journey, landing lucrative endorsement deals were hard for Carl. Initially, there were rumors that Lewis was gay, and no matter how many times he denied it, it had already hampered his image.
Unfortunately, the Coca-Cola company, which wanted Lewis to endorse their brand, also withdrew it later.
Apparently, as the Coca-Cola company put forward their deal with Carl Lewis, he and his manager turned down the offer stating he was worth more than that.
However, he and Nike have a long history of deals. When Lewis signed with Nike, he was still a college student, and they had a six-figure contract.
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Alongside it, they included bonuses every time he earned a Gold medal in the Olympics.
Advancing, he was on almost every Nike billboard and television advertisement. However, they ended his contract after Lewis’s gay rumors got strong.
“If you’re a male athlete, I think the American public wants you to look macho.”
-Don Coleman, a Nike representative.
After dropping from Nike, Lewis was sponsored by the Japanese sports equipment and sportswear Company Mizuno.
Apart From Being An Athlete
As a matter of fact, Carl Lewis is well-known as a sprinter and a track and field athlete; however, he is much more than that. Lewis is also a businessman, commentator, and actor.
Lewis started his business in a line of foods, perfume, fashion, and beverages. To elaborate, he owns several restaurants with the name “Fat Lewis Burger,” which is now a chain.
Besides, he has another chain of restaurants named “Café Noir”. Moving on, he has launched his own line of vodka, popularly known as Pure Wonderlewis.
Likewise, he owns the perfume brand ‘With Love from Carl‘ and the fashion line, “Carl Lewis Seduction.”
He commenced his fashion line during Florence’s renowned Pitti Uomo fashion fair. Back then, he had portrayed his first autumn/winter sports clothing collection.
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Actor, Football, And Coach
After his retirement as a track & field athlete, Carl Lewis appeared in many television shows and movies. Some of his notable cameos in television series include Perfect Strangers, Speed Zone, Alien Hunter, and Material Girls.
Additionally, he was also in the 2006 movie named The Last Adam. Likewise, he portrayed Stu’s character in the made-for-TV film Atomic Twister and was also on The Weakest Link.
Following it, Lewis also acted in the short documentary Challenging Impossibility. It was prepared by the late spiritual teacher and peace advocate Sri Chinmoy.
Besides acting, Lewis is equally involved in coaching and other sport as football. In 2018, he was chosen as the assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Houston.
As a fun fact, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Carl Lewis in the 1984 NFL Draft. Back then, he was chosen as a wide receiver in the 12th round; however, he didn’t play a single game for the NFL.
In the 1993 NBA Finals, “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by Lewis. Carl also tried his hands as a Democrat on April 11, 2011.
Lieutenant Governor and secretary of state Kim Guadagno removed him from the petition. Lewis hadn’t fulfilled the rule for Senate’s candidate to stay in New Jersey for four years.
Therefore, he filed again straight in court, which was considered for a few days, but later, Lewis himself removed his name.
Carl Lewis has been announced as the program’s Head Coach for the University of Houston by Chris Pezman Houston’s Vice President for Athletics while Will Blackburn will serve as a Director of Track and Field as of July 2022.
Carl Lewis | Lifestyle
With a massive net worth, Lewis leads a healthy and luxurious lifestyle. Also, Carl Lewis is a vegan since his late twenties. Moreover, he feels that being a vegan has helped him gain athleticism while improving his performance.
Furthermore, Carl is an early riser, and right after it, he starts his day with a light breakfast of grapefruit juice.
Additionally, he also indulges in herbal tea and raw fruits. Also, most of his workout routine starts in the weight room in the afternoon.
Pacific Palisades home
In 2002, Carl Lewis purchased a $1.75 million Pacific Palisades home, which he later sold for $2.5 million in July 2010. To add on, the home stood at nearly a third of an acre with ocean views.
Moreover, the house was built in 1991, including a swimming pool, a spa, a fish pond, a gazebo, and fruit trees.
Furthermore, the living room acquired an area of 5,307 square feet. Not to mention, the primary bedroom also had an attached see-through fireplace.
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Social Media Presence
Besides, you can check his social media platforms for his pictures and uploads. He is on Instagram as Carl Lewis (@carl_lewis_official), with 25.6k followers.
Additionally, he is on Twitter as Carl Lewis (@Carl_Lewis), with 36.5k followers. Apart from his lavish life and wonderful days, Lewis has also contributed to society for a cause.
And there it it. https://t.co/XY0JyJJOxz
— Carl Lewis (@Carl_Lewis) October 30, 2022
He has helped charitable institutions like Best Buddies International, Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis, and Greenpeace. Furthermore, back in 2010, he was also a part of the UN’s “1 Billion Hungry” project.
Carl Lewis | Popularity Graph
This illustrates the fame of Carl Lewis in the following year.
Lewis the fastest human, longest jumper, actor, singer, dancer, commentator, businessman, and coach is a whole package. Being the program’s Head Coach at the University of Houston must have increased in popularity of Carl.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsIFAQs
What was Carl Lewis famous for?
Carl Lewis is known as one the greatest athletes of all time, a 9-times Olympic Gold Medalist. He is also an actor and appeared on many tv shows.
He has business in the line of fashion, and restaurants, and is a coach for the University of Houston.
What was Lewis longest jump?
Carl Lewis undefeated in 65 long jump competitions.
He’s produced the longest jump in history, 8.91, and he is being beaten! It’s 8.95! Bob Baemon’s world record has been smashed by Mike Powell.
How fast could Carl Lewis run?
1984, Carl Lewis was supposedly timed at 28 miles hours per (12.51 m/s).
According to Swiss Timing, as reported by Track and Field News Magazine (October 1984 issue).
What does Carl Lewis does now?
World’s greatest athlete Carl Lewis has been working as the program’s Head Coach.
He works for the University of Houston, earlier he went there for his studies.
How many Olympic Gold Medal does Carl Lewis has?
Carl Lewis has 9 Olympic Gold Medals also one Olympic Silver Medal.
He has 10 World Championships including 8 Gold Medals. His career spanned from 1979 to 1996.
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