Mary T Meagher Biography: Siblings, Net Worth, Olympics, Age, Height, Spouse, Children, Awards
Mary Terstegge Meagher, professionally known as Mary T. Meagher or Madame Butterfly, is an American former competitive swimmer who became one of the most dominant butterfly specialists in swimming history.
She gained international recognition after setting her first world record at the age of 14 during the 1979 Pan American Games.
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Her reputation grew significantly at the 1981 United States Swimming National Championships, where she established world records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly that remained unbeaten for nearly two decades.
Her Olympic success, world championship medals, and remarkable longevity at the top level established her as one of the greatest American swimmers of her generation.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Mary Terstegge Meagher |
| Stage Name: | Mary T. Meagher |
| Born: | October 27, 1964 (age 61 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | American |
| Height: | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | James L. Meagher, Florence Terstegge Meagher |
| Siblings: | Anne Meagher Northup, Mary Glen Meagher, and nine other siblings |
| Spouse: | Michael Plant |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | Madeline Plant, Andrew Plant |
| Occupation: | Former Competitive Swimmer |
| Net Worth: | $1.5 million |
Early Life and Education
Mary T. Meagher was born on October 27, 1964, in Louisville, Kentucky, and at 62 years old, she remains one of the most celebrated swimmers produced by the state.
She grew up in a large family as the tenth of eleven children, with nine sisters and one brother. Because one of her older sisters was also named Mary Glen, she was commonly known as Mary T. within her family.
Her parents, James L. Meagher and Florence Terstegge Meagher, supported her development as she became increasingly involved in swimming.
Mary began swimming at the River Road Country Club when she was five years old and quickly showed exceptional ability in the butterfly stroke.
She later trained with the Lakeside Aquatic Club in Louisville under experienced coaches, developing the technique and endurance that eventually took her to the international level.
She attended Sacred Heart Academy for her secondary education before enrolling at the University of California, Berkeley.
While competing for the California Golden Bears, she continued to combine her studies with an exceptionally successful collegiate swimming career and completed her degree in 1987.
Personal Life
Mary T. Meagher is married to Michael Plant, a former Olympic speed skater who later developed a career in sports administration.
The couple built their family life in Peachtree City, Georgia, after Meagher moved away from full-time international competition. They have two children, Madeline Plant and Andrew Plant.
Mary and Plant have largely kept their family life private while remaining involved in sports and their local community. Their relationship has continued for many years, and there is no indication that they have divorced.
Career
Mary T. Meagher established herself as an exceptional swimming talent while still a teenager. At the 1979 Pan American Games, she won the 200-meter butterfly and set a world record at just 14 years old.
She was selected for the United States team for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but she was unable to compete because of the American boycott of the Games.
Her defining breakthrough came at the 1981 United States Swimming National Championships in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. Mary set world records of 57.93 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly and 2:05.96 in the 200-meter butterfly.
Both performances remained world records for many years, with the 100-meter mark lasting until 1999 and the 200-meter record standing until 2000.
Mary went on to become a major force in collegiate swimming at the University of California, Berkeley.
Between 1983 and 1987, she won six individual NCAA championships and became one of the leading swimmers in the California Golden Bears program.
At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Meagher finally made her Olympic debut and won three gold medals.
She took individual victories in the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly and also helped the United States win the 4×100-meter medley relay.
Four years later, she returned to the Olympics in Seoul and won a silver medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay and a bronze medal in the 200-meter butterfly.
After retiring from elite international competition, Mary continued swimming in masters competitions and set additional age-group records.
Her achievements earned her induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1993 and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2009.
Awards
- Pan American Games Gold Medal – 200m Butterfly (1979)
- World Aquatics Championships Gold Medal – 100m Butterfly (1982)
- World Aquatics Championships Silver Medal – 200m Butterfly (1982)
- World Aquatics Championships Silver Medal – 4x100m Medley Relay (1982)
- Olympic Gold Medal – 100m Butterfly (1984)
- Olympic Gold Medal – 200m Butterfly (1984)
- Olympic Gold Medal – 4x100m Medley Relay (1984)
- Honda Sports Award for Swimming and Diving (1985)
- World Aquatics Championships Gold Medal – 200m Butterfly (1986)
- World Aquatics Championships Silver Medal – 100m Butterfly (1986)
- World Aquatics Championships Silver Medal – 4x100m Medley Relay (1986)
- World Aquatics Championships Silver Medal – 4x100m Freestyle Relay (1986)
- Honda Sports Award for Swimming and Diving (1987)
- Olympic Silver Medal – 4x100m Medley Relay (1988)
- Olympic Bronze Medal – 200m Butterfly (1988)
- International Swimming Hall of Fame – Inducted (1993)
- United States Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame – Inducted (2009)
Net Worth
Mary T. Meagher has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million.
Her wealth has been associated with her successful swimming career, sponsorship opportunities, sports appearances, speaking engagements, swimming clinics, and other activities connected to her achievements in competitive athletics.
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