László Cseh Biography: Net Worth, Silver Medals, Wife, Age, Height, Bronze, Ethnicity

László Cseh is a retired Hungarian competitive swimmer and six-time Olympic medalist who rose to international prominence in the 2000s through his performances in the individual medley and butterfly events.

He first drew broad global attention with a bronze medal in the 400 m individual medley at the 2004 Athens Olympics, then solidified his status as one of the world’s elite by winning three silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 200 m and 400 m individual medley and the 200 m butterfly, often sharing the podium with Michael Phelps.

Profile

• Full name: László Cseh
• Nickname: Laci
• Date of birth: 3 December 1985
• Age: 40 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Budapest, Hungary
• Nationality: Hungarian
• Profession: Retired competitive swimmer, swimming official, and sports figure
• Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
• Weight: 82 kg (181 lb)
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Light brown
• Parents: Father – László Cseh Sr. (former Hungarian Olympic swimmer); Mother – Andrea Cseh (businesswoman and grocery store owner)
• Siblings: One younger brother, Tamás Cseh
• Spouse: Diána Cseh (née Székely), naturopath and alternative medicine specialist
• Children: Cseh Nalani (born 2022)
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Ethnicity: Hungarian
• Net worth: $3–4 million

Early Life and Education

László Cseh now 40 years old, was born on 3 December 1985 in Budapest, Hungary, into a family deeply connected to swimming. His father, László Cseh Sr., competed in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, and was a national champion in the 100 m butterfly. His mother, Andrea, managed the family grocery business in Halásztelek, a town near Budapest, where László and his younger brother Tamás grew up.

Despite being born in the capital, Cseh identifies strongly with Halásztelek, where he was later named an honorary citizen. Diagnosed with asthma as a child, he received long-term treatment at the Törökbálint Pulmonology Institute—making his endurance-based success as a swimmer especially notable.

Cseh learned to swim at the Budapesti Spartacus SC, trained by Miklós Kiss, and quickly advanced through junior competitions. He attended Száva Street Primary School and Vörösmarty Gimnázium in Budapest, balancing school with national-level training.

Later, he studied engineering management at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, although it remains unclear whether he completed his degree due to his demanding international career schedule.

Personal Life

László Cseh married Diána Székely in August 2015 in a private ceremony attended by close friends and fellow athletes. Diána is a certified naturopath, wellness consultant, and advocate for holistic health practices.

The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Nalani, in 2022. Cseh expressed in interviews that fatherhood gave him a renewed sense of purpose after retiring from competition.

The couple resides in Budapest, where they are involved in charity initiatives promoting youth sports and physical wellness. Cseh has shared glimpses of his family life through social media but remains protective of their privacy.

Career

Cseh’s professional swimming journey is one of resilience and excellence spanning two decades. He first captured international attention in 2002, winning bronze in the 400 m individual medley at the European Short Course Championships in Riesa, Germany.

The following year, he won silver in the same event at the World Championships in Barcelona and gold at the European Short Course Championships in Dublin.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, despite competing with a broken foot, Cseh secured bronze in the 400 m individual medley—a testament to his determination. From 2005–2007, he consistently medaled at World and European Championships, dominating backstroke and medley events.

His breakthrough on the global stage came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won three silver medals—in the 200m and 400m individual medley and the 200 m butterfly—behind Michael Phelps, during the American’s historic eight-gold-medal run.

He continued to excel at the 2012 London Olympics, earning bronze in the 200 m individual medley, sharing the podium once again with Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

Cseh’s crowning comeback moment occurred at the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, where he won gold in the 200 m butterfly, a decade after his first world title. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he tied for silver in the 100 m butterfly alongside Phelps and Chad le Clos—his fourth Olympic silver and sixth overall medal.

In Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), at age 35, Cseh reached the 200 m individual medley final, finishing seventh before officially announcing his retirement. His career spanned five Olympic Games (2004–2020), making him one of Hungary’s most enduring athletes.

Post-retirement, he took on leadership and ambassadorial roles. Cseh served on the Hungarian Swimming Federation’s executive board (2012–2017) and chaired the athletes’ commission (2013–2017). In 2024, he was inducted into the Hungarian Swimming Hall of Fame (“A magyar úszósport halhatatlanja”).

Awards and Nominations

• Hungarian Sportsman of the Year – Winner (2005); runner-up (2003, 2006, 2015); third place (2010)
• Hungarian Youth Athlete of the Year (2003)
• Hungarian Male Swimmer of the Year – Ten-time recipient (2003–2017)
• Hungarian Republic Gold Cross of Merit (2004)
• Swimming World Magazine – European Male Swimmer of the Year (2005)
• Budapestért Prize (2006)
• Junior Prima Award (2007)
• Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – Knight’s Cross, Officer’s Cross, and Commander’s Cross (2008, 2012, 2016)
• Hungarian Heritage Award (2015)
• Honorary Citizen – Budapest, Eger, Kőbánya, and Pest County
• Hungarian Swimming Immortal Award (2024)

Net Worth

László Cseh’s net worth is estimated at $3–4 million USD. Cseh’s net worth derives from a combination of prize money from international competitions, sponsorships and endorsements with brands like Arena, Speedo, and Hungarian sports institutions, as well as his continued involvement in sports administration, motivational speaking, and media appearances in Hungary.

Social Media

• Instagram: @csehlaszlo
• Twitter (X): @CsL007