Emma Igelström Biography: Children, Siblings, Parents, Height, Age, Net Worth, Awards, Books
Emma Sofie Igelström, professionally known as Emma Igelström, is a Swedish former competitive swimmer, television personality, public speaker, and sports executive who became one of Europe’s leading breaststroke specialists during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
She gained international recognition through her success in short-course breaststroke, winning multiple world championship titles and setting world records at the peak of her career.
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Her most notable achievement came at the 2002 World Short Course Championships, where she became the first woman to swim the 50-meter breaststroke under 30 seconds.
After retiring from competitive swimming in 2005, Igelström built a second career in television, public speaking, writing, and sports management, later taking executive roles in swimming and youth sports development in the Middle East.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Emma Sofie Igelström |
| Stage Name: | Emma Igelström |
| Born: | March 6, 1980 (age 46 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Karlshamn, Blekinge, Sweden |
| Nationality: | Swedish |
| Ethnicity: | Swedish |
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Björn Igelström, Monica Igelström |
| Siblings: | Mikael Igelström |
| Spouse: | Adam Kjellström |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | Olivia Igelström, Loui Kjellström |
| Occupation: | Former Competitive Swimmer, Television Personality, Sports Executive, Author |
| Net Worth: | $2 million |
Early Life and Education
Emma Sofie Igelström was born on March 6, 1980, in Karlshamn, Blekinge, Sweden, and is 46 years old.
She grew up alongside her brother, Mikael Igelström, under the guidance of her parents, Björn Igelström and Monica Igelström.
Swimming became an important part of her childhood in Karlshamn, where she trained with Karlshamns SK. Her breaststroke ability developed quickly, and she progressed through Swedish junior competition before becoming one of the country’s leading young swimmers.
While pursuing her athletic career, Igelström completed her schooling in Sweden. Her commitment to elite swimming eventually took priority over a conventional university education as she concentrated on national and international competitions and the demands of professional sport.
Personal Life
Emma Igelström is married to Adam Kjellström. The couple have a son, Loui Kjellström, who was born in August 2021. She also has an older daughter, Olivia Igelström, from a previous relationship.
Emma’s personal life has included several significant transitions. She has spoken publicly about the challenges she experienced during and after her elite swimming career, including struggles with an eating disorder and periods of mental-health difficulties.
Her family later settled in the Middle East through her work, with Igelström becoming involved in sports development programs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Career
Emma Igelström began making an impact in international swimming during the 1990s.
She represented Sweden at major competitions and won her first World Short Course Championships medal as part of the 4×100-meter medley relay in 1994.
Her international breakthrough continued at the 1997 World Short Course Championships in Gothenburg, where she won gold in the 4×100-meter medley relay. She later became one of Sweden’s strongest breaststroke specialists.
At the 2000 World Short Course Championships in Athens, Igelström won gold in the 50-meter breaststroke and helped Sweden win the 4×100-meter medley relay.
She also represented Sweden at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, competing against the world’s leading breaststroke swimmers.
Her defining moment came at the 2002 World Short Course Championships in Moscow. Igelström won three gold medals in the 50-meter breaststroke, 100-meter breaststroke, and 4×100-meter medley relay.
In the 50-meter breaststroke, she clocked 29.96 seconds, becoming the first woman to break the 30-second barrier.
She added another world championship title in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona. During her competitive career, Igelström won five world championship titles and established multiple world records.
The demands of elite competition eventually took a toll on her physical and psychological well-being. She retired from competitive swimming in 2005 and later became open about her battle with bulimia and the difficulties she encountered while competing at the highest level.
Following retirement, Igelström expanded into television and public speaking. She appeared on Swedish entertainment programs, including Let’s Dance and Superstars, while also working as a swimming expert and sports commentator.
Later, her career moved into international sports administration. In Saudi Arabia, she worked with Leejam Sports Company and helped develop swimming programs and the BLU Swimming Academy.
She subsequently continued her work in Qatar, taking on sports and educational development responsibilities and helping create opportunities for young athletes.
Awards
- Silver Medal – 4×100m Medley Relay, World Short Course Championships (1994)
- Gold Medal – 4×100m Medley Relay, World Short Course Championships (1997)
- Bronze Medal – 50m Breaststroke, World Short Course Championships (1999)
- Silver Medal – 4×100m Medley Relay, World Short Course Championships (1999)
- Gold Medal – 50m Breaststroke, World Short Course Championships (2000)
- Gold Medal – 4×100m Medley Relay, World Short Course Championships (2000)
- Gold Medal – 50m Breaststroke, World Short Course Championships (2002)
- Gold Medal – 100m Breaststroke, World Short Course Championships (2002)
- Gold Medal – 4×100m Medley Relay, World Short Course Championships (2002)
- Gold Medal – 100m Breaststroke, World Championships (2003)
Net Worth
Emma Igelström has an estimated net worth of $2 million.
Her income comes from her professional swimming career, sponsorships, television appearances, public speaking, publishing, and executive roles in international sports organisations.
Social Media
- Instagram: @emmaigelstrom
Books
- Simmar-Emma (2006)
- Träning för ett hållbart liv (2015)
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