Jackie Joyner-Kersee Biography

Having been dubbed "The Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century" by Sports Illustrated, Jackie Joyner Kersee’s athletic accomplishments are literally second to none. By the conclusion of her career in the heptathlon and long jump events she had amassed six Olympic medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) and four World Champion titles over four consecutive Olympic Games. Joyner-Kersee was the first woman in history to earn more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon and today, over 20 years later, she still holds the world heptathlon record of 7,291 points. She continues to hold the Olympic and national records in the long jump and her 1994 performance in the long jump remains the second longest in history.

In addition to heptathlon and long jump, Joyner-Kersee was a world class 100m and 200m runner and, after a decorated All-American career in basketball at UCLA, she eventually played professional basketball for a short time.

Joyner-Kersee’s athletic accomplishments have been well documented and remain some of the best across all of sports. Less well known are her tireless efforts and remarkable accomplishments off the field as a philanthropist and an advocate for children’s education, health issues (in particular, asthma from which she has suffered throughout her life), racial equality, social reform, and women’s rights.

Born in 1962, in East St. Louis, IL, Joyner-Kersee came from very humble beginnings but despite the at times, very strained conditions she describes her early home life as being full of love, principle and discipline. These ingrained values have served Joyner-Kersee well both on and off the field through her life. She has been described by the sports media as one of the warmest, most even-tempered, grace-filled persons in all of athletics.

One of four children to Mary and Alfred Joyner, Joyner-Kersee’s older brother Al went on to become an Olympic Champion triple jumper and married Florence Griffith (Joyner), a five-time Olympic medalist. In 1986 she married her longtime coach, Bob Kersee.

Joyner-Kersee is the author of both "A Kind of Grace" (1997), her autobiography, and "A Woman’s Place is Everywhere". She is an active professional speaker and is widely considered one of the most inspiring motivational speakers in all of sports. Joyner-Kersee speaks on topics of athletics, business success, living with the limitations of medical issues, nutrition, women’s issue, and youth advocacy.

BOOK Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 11/04/2025.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee Speaking Topics

  • Leadership and Peak Performance

    Jackie Joyner-Kersee translates her unparalleled athletic achievements into powerful lessons on leadership and peak performance. Audiences gain actionable strategies for cultivating a champion’s mindset, setting ambitious goals, and achieving sustainable success in any field.

  • Overcoming Adversity & Resilience

    Drawing from her own experiences, Jackie Joyner-Kersee provides profound insights into building resilience and overcoming adversity. She shares practical tools for maintaining a positive outlook, adapting to change, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee Videos

Jackie Joyner-Kersee: Winning in Life

Jackie Joyner-Kersee: Winning in Life

Uploaded by CMG Worldwide on 2025-03-20.

AAU Alumni - Jackie Joyner Kersee

AAU Alumni - Jackie Joyner Kersee

Jackie Joyner Kersee speaks with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) on the experiences that led her to become a professional athlete and Olympian.

Motivation Monday with Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Motivation Monday with Jackie Joyner-Kersee

San Antonio Sports' Mandy Adkins talks with Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Jackie found her passion through sport, learning how to set goals, perseverance and...

  • How do I book Jackie Joyner-Kersee to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Jackie Joyner-Kersee

    Speaking fees for Jackie Joyner-Kersee, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Jackie Joyner-Kersee are $30,000 - $50,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Jackie Joyner-Kersee, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Jackie Joyner-Kersee speak about?

  • Where does Jackie Joyner-Kersee travel from?

    Jackie Joyner-Kersee generally travels from East Saint Louis, IL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s agent?

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Leadership and Peak Performance, Overcoming Adversity & Resilience, Community Impact & Social Responsibliity, Empowerment & Inspiration and How to Overcome Obstacles to Success. The estimated speaking fee range to book Jackie Joyner-Kersee for your event is $30,000 - $50,000. Jackie Joyner-Kersee generally travels from East Saint Louis, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dominique Dawes, Lisa Leslie, Bethany Hamilton, Laurie Hernandez and Inky Johnson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Jackie Joyner-Kersee for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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