Lia Thomas Net Worth 2025: How Much Is the Transgender Swimmer Worth Now?

By Jayson Panganiban July 04, 2025 07:41

Lia Thomas, the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, has made headlines not only for her athletic achievements but also for the intense public debate surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports. As of 2025, her estimated net worth remains around $200,000, a figure largely reflective of her status as a collegiate athlete rather than a professional sports star with lucrative endorsements.

Born in May 1999 in Austin, Texas, Lia began swimming at the age of five and competed on the University of Pennsylvania men’s swimming team from 2017 until 2020. After starting hormone replacement therapy and transitioning, she switched to competing in women’s events, where she quickly rose to prominence. Her victory in the 500-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA championships marked a historic milestone but also ignited widespread controversy and scrutiny over fairness in competitive sports.

Despite the spotlight, Lia has maintained a relatively low public profile regarding her finances. Her net worth primarily stems from her collegiate swimming career and academic pursuits she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022 with plans to attend law school. Unlike professional athletes who accumulate wealth through endorsements and prize money, Lia’s income has been modest, consistent with that of a student-athlete balancing rigorous training and studies.

Her athletic performance has been both lauded and criticized. Statistical analyses show that Lia’s times in women’s competitions significantly outpaced many biological female competitors, fueling debates about physiological advantages and eligibility rules. These controversies culminated in regulatory actions: in 2023, World Aquatics barred Lia from competing in women’s events at the international level, effectively ending her hopes of participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics after a legal challenge was dismissed.

In 2025, the University of Pennsylvania took the unprecedented step of modifying records set by Lia and issuing a formal apology to athletes who competed against her, following federal funding cuts linked to the controversy. These developments underscore the complex intersection of sports, gender identity, and institutional policies that continue to shape Lia Thomas’s career and legacy.

Lia herself has expressed a desire to continue swimming and competing as her authentic self, stating in 2022, “I want to swim and compete as who I am.” However, the evolving landscape of sports governance and public opinion presents ongoing challenges to her athletic ambitions.

On a personal note, Lia has kept her private life largely confidential. Reports suggest she is currently single and prioritizes her career and advocacy for transgender rights over publicizing her relationships.

In summary, while Lia Thomas’s net worth in 2025 remains modest at approximately $200,000, her impact on the world of competitive swimming and the broader conversation about transgender athletes is profound. Her journey highlights the evolving nature of sports, identity, and inclusion in the 21st century, making her a pivotal figure whose influence extends beyond monetary valuation