Nafissatou Thiam Biography: Parents, Age, Net Worth, Olympic Medals, Age, Awards, Height

Nafissatou “Nafi” Thiam, is a Belgian track and field athlete of Senegalese descent, stands as one of the greatest heptathletes in history, the first to claim three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the event.

Her towering 1.87m frame and explosive versatility propelled her from junior promise to global dominance, shattering the 7000-point heptathlon barrier in 2017 and setting a pentathlon world record in 2023.

Thiam’s Rio 2016 triumph at age 21 marked her as the youngest Olympic heptathlon champion ever, followed by defenses in Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024, alongside world titles in 2017 and 2022.

A University of Liège geography graduate and UNICEF ambassador, she blends academic poise with athletic ferocity across seven disciplines.

Profile

• Full Name: Nafissatou “Nafi” Thiam
• Stage Name: Nafissatou Thiam
• Born: 19 August, 1994
• Age: 31 years old
• Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
• Nationality: Belgian
• Occupation: Track and Field Athlete (Heptathlon, Pentathlon)
• Height: 1.87m
• Parents: Danielle Denisty, Bamba Thiam
• Siblings: Unknown
• Boyfriend: Michael Van der Plaetsen
• Children: None
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Nafissatou Thiam was born on August 19, 1994, in Brussels, Belgium, to Danielle Denisty and Bamba Thiam. She might have had siblings but details about them are unknown.

She discovered athletics young, excelling in multiple events before specializing in combined disciplines, breaking junior records early.

Thiam graduated with a geography degree from the University of Liège in 2019, balancing elite training with studies. She is of mixed Belgian-Senegalese heritage, and kept her religion private.

Career

Nafissatou Thiam burst onto seniors with European Championships bronze in 2014, then silver in 2015 European Indoor pentathlon, building toward Rio where her 6810 points clinched Olympic gold, personal bests in five events edging Jessica Ennis-Hill.

She shattered the 7000 barrier at 2017 Götzis with 7013, third all-time, en route to London Worlds gold as Belgium’s first.

European titles indoors and out followed, her high jump prowess peaking at a heptathlon world record 2.02m in 2019 Talence.

These feats fused raw power with tactical mastery, crowning her 2017 World Female Athlete of the Year.

Thiam defended in Tokyo 2021 with 6791 despite pandemic hurdles, then dominated 2022 Worlds in Eugene, her third major title sweep alongside Klüft and Ennis-Hill.

Indoor brilliance shone at 2023 European Championships, smashing pentathlon world record at 5055 for a third straight gold.

Paris 2024 sealed history, edging Johnson-Thompson by 40 points for unprecedented three-peat, Belgian records in heptathlon, pentathlon, javelin, and jumps intact.

Nafissatou Thiam’s records endure—7013 heptathlon, 5055 pentathlon—while her Olympic streak redefines multi-event supremacy, mentoring juniors and advocating via UNICEF.

Asian Games and Davis Cup parallels aside, she inspires cross-sport resilience, her Liège base fueling global impact.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @thiam_nafi
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Thiam is currently in a relationship with Michael Van der Plaetsen, who has also been her coach since 2022.

The couple’s relationship became publicly known in September 2025. She is not married and has no children.

Net Worth

Nafissatou Thiam boasts an estimated net worth of $2 million. Olympic and Worlds golds, plus endorsements from Richard Mille, fuel earnings alongside appearance fees and records bonuses.