Four-times Olympic gold medalist and eight-time world champion (LC) Kornelia Ender has a net worth of $1.5 million.
Not to mention, Kornelia Ender comes #8 in the list of top 10 richest swimmers of all time. And as of now, she is a good physiotherapist as well.
In her decade-long career, this amazing swimmer has created a lot of history and has seen a lot of ups and downs as well.
But talking about Kornelia’s net worth, she earned most of it through her swimming career.
Likewise, this German female swimming legend is the first female to win over three gold medals in a single Olympic. Apart from that, Ender has won the other five Olympic medals.

Besides, Ender has been awarded the Swimmer of the Year thrice, among many other things.
Ender has successfully garnered name, fame, and respect for her in a brief period.
No wonder Ender is considered one of the amazing and celebrated swimmers in the history of swimming.
Quick Facts:
Name | Kornelia Ender |
Birthdate | October 25, 1985 |
Birthplace | Plauen, Germany |
Age | 39 years old |
Nationality | East German |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion | Christianity |
Father’s Name | Unknown |
Mother’s Name | Vera Ender |
Siblings | Unknown |
Education | Unknown |
Profession | Professional Swimmer, Physiotherapist |
Nickname | Ender |
Height | 5’8″ (1.72m) |
Weight | 59 kg ( 130 lbs) |
Body Measurements | 34-23-36 inches |
Shoe Size | 5 (U.S), 4 (U.K) |
Body Shape | Hourglass |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Black |
Coach | Langheim |
Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Net worth | $1.5 Million |
Achievement | Four times Olympics Gold Medal Eight times World Champion (LC) Four times European Championship Three times World Swimmer of the Year (1973, 1975, 1976) GDR sportspeople of the Year (1973) |
World Records | Twenty-three |
Salary | Unknown |
Strokes | Freestyle, Butterfly, Medely |
Club | SV Halle |
Endorsements | Unknown |
Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Marital status | Married |
Husband | Ronald Matthes (marriage- 1978, divorce-1982) Steffen Grummt (1984) |
Children | Two |
Teammates | Andrea Pallack, Ultike Richter, Rosemarie Gabriel, Hannelore Anke |
Debut | 1972 Olympics in Munich |
Retired | 1976 |
Hall of Fame | Inducted in International Swimming Hall of Fame 1981 |
Social Media | Not Active |
Merch | Swimming Gear |
Last Updated | April, 2025 |
Kornelia Ender Net Worth and Earnings
Kornelia Ender draws a net worth of $1.5 million and features a simple and minimal lifestyle.
When Ender was at the peak of her career, she used to earn $60,000 from her swimming career in a year, excluding the prize money and bonuses.
However, she doesn’t live an average life; indeed, Kornelia has earned a good amount of money to live a good and healthy life.
Apart from that, Kornelia is a physiotherapist, and no wonder she makes a good amount of money for her clinic.
Similarly, suppose you are unaware that the Olympic committee provides a certain amount of money to the athlete who wins gold, silver, and bronze medals. In that case, Cash is allotted based on the medal athlete has won.
Prize Money
Besides, Ender has won four gold medals in Olympics, which means Kornelia Ender has earned $100,000 by winning a gold medal four times.
Similarly, Ender has won four silver medals which makes her prize money about $60,000. Further, Kornelia has not won any bronze medal; however, if anyone wins the bronze medal, that athlete is provided $10,000 as prize money.
Also, the total amount of money Kornelia has earned from her Olympics till now is $160,000. Indeed, the legendary swimmer used to stand among the top paid female athlete of her time.
However, to date, Kornelia Ender is considered one of the top 10 richest swimmers of all time in swimming history.
Endorsements
No doubt, when Ender was at the peak of her career, many brands wanted her to endorse their brands.
However, not much information has been found about her brand deals and endorsement projects.
Besides, if we find any information regarding her endorsement projects and brand deals, we will update you soon.
Net Worth of Kornelia Ender in Different Currencies
Have a look into Kornelia Ender’s net worth in different currencies.
Currency | Net Worth |
Euro | 1,261,523€ |
Pound Sterling | 1,074,079£ |
Australian Dollar | 2,030,870A$ |
Canadian Dollar | 1,866,480C$ |
Indian Rupee | 111,554,400₹ |
BitCoin | 38฿ |
Kornelia Ender As A Motivational Speaker
Kornelia Ender has turned into a motivational speaker in these few years, and it adds to her net worth.
She is undoubtedly one influential woman, and people would want her to share her experience, struggles, ups, and downs to learn something from them.

However, if you want to call her as a guest lecturer, you can contact her managing team, and she would provide you with available dates.
Kornelia Ender Net Worth | Lifestyle
Undoubtedly, Ender has established herself as one of the adored and celebrated swimmers of all time; and of course, it was not easy for her. However, Ender has a simple life and likes to keep everything lowkey.
During Ender’s career days, her everyday routine was very hectic, and it consisted of heavy training, hard work, and practice.
But apart from the gym, she used to do every required training, ate a balanced diet to perform well, and usually did drills to enhance her freestyle.
No doubt she called herself strong because PEOPLE Magazine mentioned her as ox-shouldered and strong athletic built in one of their articles.
However, many accused Ender of consuming drugs to enhance her performance. And as expected, the former athlete has always spoken against those allegations.
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A Glance at Kornelia Ender Career
Born in Germany, the former swimmer is the daughter of Vera Ender (mother), who was a nurse.
However, nothing has been mentioned about her father, who is believed to be former army personnel. Ender left her home at 13 to live freely, far from her father’s rules as a rebellious child.
Other than that, Ender started swimming and started to win various championships and tournaments from the age she was ten.
Finally, after setting records after records, young Ender made her Olympics debut in 1972, held in Munich.
Since then, Kornelia has been lauded and appreciated as one of the greatest swimmers of all time.
Especially considering how difficult it was for women at that time. However, all her credentials were questioned when steroids were found in her system.
Later it was found that the coaches told gave Ender and other swimmers steroids disguised as an immunity booster. After the 1976 Olympics, Ender decides to retire.
However, her coaches were not happy about her decision, they wanted her to be active for more years, but Ender didn’t want to continue.
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Some Interesting Facts about Kornelia Ender
- Kornelia has married twice, her first husband was a fellow swimmer, and this couple has a daughter together. However, things didn’t go well as expected, so they divorced, and after a year, Ender again married Andrea Pallack. Similarly, Andrea and Ender have a daughter together.
- During the steroids controversy, Ender mentioned her father might have known about it as he was always with her; but he kept quiet, and Ender doesn’t know why.
Social Media Presence:
Sadly, Kornelia Ender is not active on any social media platforms. The Olympic medalist feels she is too old to be active on any of the social media platforms.
Besides, Kornelia lives a happy life with her family and wants to spend the rest of her life away from the limelight.
Some FAQs:
Who is the best swimmer, Katie Ledecky or Kornelia Ender?
Katie Ledecky and Kornelia are two different swimmers from two different eras. But, likewise, Katie is a sensation of this generation.
Even though Ender is not the swimmer of this era, she is still considered one of the influential women in swimming history.
Undoubtedly, Katie Ledecky has won many Olympic gold medals compared to Enders. But Ender created the history, and she opened the path for every newcomer.
Where is Kornelia Ender these days?
Kornelia Ender is currently living in Germany with her family and works as a physiotherapist.
How old was Kornelia Ender when she won her first Olympic medal?
Kornelia Ender was 13-year-old when she won her first Olympic medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Is Ender a drug addict?
No, she isn’t. However, Ender’s coaches gave steroids to enhance her swimming without her knowledge.
Did Kornelia Ender win an Olympic gold medal?
Kornelia Ender became the first woman swimmer to win four gold medals at a single Olympic in the 1976 Summer Olympics.
I think you missed the E German doping scandal to which she admitted………………………………….!