Beatrice Vio Biography: Parents, Net Worth, Age, Height, Ethnicity, Books, Sister, Awards

Beatrice Maria Adelaide Marzia Vio Grandis, widely known as Beatrice Vio, is an Italian wheelchair fencer and one of the most inspirational figures in Paralympic sport.

She overcame a life-altering bout of meningitis at age 11 that led to the amputation of both her arms and legs, yet returned to fencing with custom prosthetics to become a dominant force in the foil B category.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Beatrice Maria Adelaide Marzia Vio Grandis
• Stage Name: Bebe Vio
• Born: March 4, 1997
• Age: 29 years old
• Birthplace: Venice, Italy
• Nationality: Italian
• Occupation: Wheelchair Fencer, Paralympian, Advocate, Author
• Height: 1.55m
• Parents: Ruggero Vio ,Teresa Vio
• Siblings: Maria Sole Vio
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Beatrice Maria Adelaide Marzia Vio Grandis was born on March 4, 1997, in Venice, Italy, to Ruggero Vio and Teresa Vio, and grew up in Mogliano Veneto as the middle of three siblings, including her sister Maria Sole Vio.

She began fencing at age five or six, balancing the sport with school and scouting—her so-called “three S’s.”

In November 2008, at age 11, she contracted severe meningitis, which led to the amputation of her forearms and legs below the knees to save her life.

With family support and custom prosthetics developed with expert collaboration, she returned to fencing.

She graduated in 2023 with a degree in Communication and International Relations from John Cabot University in Rome. She is of Italian ethnicity, and her religion is not publicly disclosed.

Career

Beatrice Vio began fencing as a child before her illness, showing early promise in the able-bodied sport.

After her amputations, she refused to give up, improvising equipment and working with her father and specialists to create custom prosthetics that allowed her to compete in wheelchair fencing.

She made her international debut around 2013, placing 10th at the World Championships, but quickly ascended, winning European gold in 2014 and 2016, World gold in 2015 and 2017, and establishing an unbeaten streak in major events leading into Rio.

Her Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 was historic: as the only competitor fencing without arms or legs, she dominated the foil B category, defeating China’s Zhou Jingjing 15-7 in the final for individual gold, plus team bronze.

She defended her title at Tokyo 2020 (held 2021) with another gold over Zhou, adding team silver, and continued her success with World and European titles.

At Paris 2024, she earned individual and team bronzes, extending her medal tally across three Paralympics while inspiring global audiences with her joyful celebrations and advocacy for disability inclusion.

Beatrice Vio stands as a multiple-time Paralympic, World, and European champion whose impact transcends medals.

She has influenced wheelchair fencing’s growth, promoted prosthetics innovation, and used her platform for motivation through speeches, media, and her NGO art4sport (co-founded with parents to support disabled youth in sports).

Her story of turning adversity into triumph continues to resonate, making her a beloved ambassador for Paralympic values and resilience worldwide.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @bebe_vio
• Twitter Handle: @VioBebe

Personal Life

Beatrice Vio maintains a private personal life with no public record of marriage, long-term partners, or children.

Known for her vibrant, outgoing personality, she balances intense training with interests in communication, advocacy, and living fully despite challenges, often sharing positive messages and her love for life on social media.

Net Worth

Beatrice Vio has an estimated net worth of around $2 million. Her income primarily comes from Paralympic prize money and Italian federation bonuses for her multiple gold medals, sponsorships and endorsements, public speaking engagements, media appearances, book sales from I Have a Dream, and work with her NGO art4sport.