Heinz Frei Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Paralympic Medals, Wins, Career

Heinz Frei is a Swiss Paralympic wheelchair athlete renowned for his dominance across athletics, cross-country skiing, and handcycling.

He has won 15 gold medals at the Summer and Winter Paralympics, holds the distinction of being the first athlete to medal in three different Paralympic sports, and has secured over 100 marathon victories, including six Boston Marathon titles.

Frei competed in every Summer Paralympic Games from 1984 to 2008 in athletics, transitioning to handcycling at the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games. At the Winter Paralympics, he excelled in cross-country sit-skiing from 1984 to 2006 and competed in biathlon in 1994.

Profile

• Full Name: Heinz Frei
• Stage Name: Heinz Frei
• Born: January 28, 1958
• Age: 67 years old
• Birthplace: Solothurn, Switzerland
• Nationality: Swiss
• Occupation: Retired Paralympic Athlete, Motivational Speaker
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. Frei and Mrs. Frei
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Rita Frei
• Children: 2
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Heinz Frei was born on January 28, 1958, in Solothurn, Switzerland, to parents referred to as Mr. Frei and Mrs. Frei. There are no confirmed details about siblings.

Frei trained as a surveyor draftsman (Vermessungszeichner) and worked in the profession until age 20, when a mountain running accident in 1978 left him paraplegic due to a spinal cord injury. He began rehabilitation immediately and discovered wheelchair racing within months, launching his competitive journey.

He is of Swiss ethnicity, though his religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Heinz Frei debuted at the 1984 Summer Paralympics in Stoke Mandeville and New York, winning his first gold in the 400m and setting the tone for dominance. He competed in six Summer and six Winter Paralympics from 1984 to 2012, becoming the first athlete to win medals in three different sports: athletics (track and marathon), cross-country skiing, and handcycling.

His 15 golds include a sweep of four track events in 1988 and the inaugural handcycling road race in 2004. Frei also secured 35 total Paralympic medals, a Swiss record.

Frei ruled marathons globally, winning the Boston Marathon wheelchair division six times, Oita International Wheelchair Marathon 20 times, and accumulating over 100 career marathon victories. In World Championships, he claimed 14 gold medals across disciplines, excelling particularly in middle-distance track and long-distance road events.

He set multiple world records and pioneered training techniques that influenced adaptive sports development.

Heinz Frei retired from elite competition after the 2012 London Paralympics but continues to race recreationally and mentor young athletes. He serves on the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation board, delivers motivational speeches worldwide, and advocates for accessibility and inclusion.

His enduring influence shapes Paralympic history and disability awareness in Switzerland and beyond.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Heinz Frei married his wife Rita early in his athletic career, and the couple raised two children, son Jan and daughter Tamara, both now adults. He credits Rita’s unwavering support as instrumental during rehabilitation and throughout his competitive years.

Net Worth

Heinz Frei had an estimated net worth of $2 million. He earned income through Paralympic stipends, sponsorships from brands like Ottobock and Swiss Paralympic partners, appearance fees at major marathons, speaking engagements, and foundation work.