Top 10 Greatest Female Athletes of All Time

American gymnast with 37 World and Olympic medals, making her the most decorated gymnast in history. Won 4 gold medals at Paris 2024 Olympics at age 27, cementing her all-time GOAT status.

German tennis champion who achieved the Golden Slam in 1988, the only player ever to win all four Grand Slams plus Olympic gold in a single calendar year. Held world No. 1 ranking for 377 weeks total.

American soccer pioneer who scored 158 international goals in her career, a world record at retirement. Won 2 FIFA World Cup titles (1991, 1999) and 2 Olympic gold medals, transforming womens soccer globally.

American track and field athlete widely regarded as the greatest female athlete of the 20th century. Won 3 Olympic gold medals and 3 World Championship golds in the heptathlon and long jump from 1986 to 1998.

American tennis pioneer who won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Her 1973 Battle of the Sexes victory over Bobby Riggs made her a defining symbol of the gender equality movement in sport.

Czech-American tennis legend who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and holds the all-time record with 167 singles titles in her career. Dominated the tour across four decades from the 1970s through the 2000s.

Romanian gymnast who made history at the 1976 Montreal Olympics as the first athlete ever to score a perfect 10.0 in gymnastics. Won 9 Olympic medals across 1976 and 1980, including 5 gold medals total.

American multi-sport legend who won 2 Olympic gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Los Angeles Games, then dominated golf by winning 10 LPGA major championships and co-founding the LPGA in 1950.

American swimmer and the most dominant distance swimmer in history. Has won 7 Olympic gold medals, 21 World Championship gold medals, and broken 14 individual world records, redefining elite distance freestyle swimming.

American gymnast with 37 World and Olympic medals, making her the most decorated gymnast in history. Won 4 gold medals at Paris 2024 Olympics at age 27, cementing her all-time GOAT status.

German tennis champion who achieved the Golden Slam in 1988, the only player ever to win all four Grand Slams plus Olympic gold in a single calendar year. Held world No. 1 ranking for 377 weeks total.

American soccer pioneer who scored 158 international goals in her career, a world record at retirement. Won 2 FIFA World Cup titles (1991, 1999) and 2 Olympic gold medals, transforming womens soccer globally.

American track and field athlete widely regarded as the greatest female athlete of the 20th century. Won 3 Olympic gold medals and 3 World Championship golds in the heptathlon and long jump from 1986 to 1998.

American tennis pioneer who won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Her 1973 Battle of the Sexes victory over Bobby Riggs made her a defining symbol of the gender equality movement in sport.

Czech-American tennis legend who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and holds the all-time record with 167 singles titles in her career. Dominated the tour across four decades from the 1970s through the 2000s.

Romanian gymnast who made history at the 1976 Montreal Olympics as the first athlete ever to score a perfect 10.0 in gymnastics. Won 9 Olympic medals across 1976 and 1980, including 5 gold medals total.

American multi-sport legend who won 2 Olympic gold medals in track and field at the 1932 Los Angeles Games, then dominated golf by winning 10 LPGA major championships and co-founding the LPGA in 1950.

American swimmer and the most dominant distance swimmer in history. Has won 7 Olympic gold medals, 21 World Championship gold medals, and broken 14 individual world records, redefining elite distance freestyle swimming.