Mark Spitz is a nine-time Olympic champion and former competitive swimmer from Modesto, California. Furthermore, Mark Spitz is also known as Mark the Pool Shark.
Fast facts
| Full name | Mark Andrew Spitz |
| A common name | Mark Spitz |
| date of birth | February 10, 1950 |
| Birth place | Modesto, California, United States |
| Nickname | “Mark the Shark” |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Nationality | American |
| Nationality | White |
| Father’s name | Arnold Spitz |
| Mother’s name | Lenore Sylvia Spitz |
| Brothers and sisters | One |
| Local swimming club | Santa Clara High School |
| University | Indiana University |
| Zodiac sign | Amnion |
| Age | 73 |
| Height | 6 feet (1.82 m) |
| Weight | 83 kg (182 lb) |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Hair color | Black |
| Build | Athletic |
| Body measurement | Unknown |
| Marriage status | Married |
| Woman | Suzy Weiner (married 1973) |
| children | Two sons, Matthew and Justin |
| Profession | Professional swimmer |
| Stroke | Butterfly, freestyle |
| Active year | 1965-1972 |
| Coach | Sherm Chavoor, PhD Advisor |
| National team | United States |
| Faculty team | Indiana |
| Netto value | 20 million dollars |
Biography of Mark Spitz
Mark Spitz was born on February 10, 1950 in Modesto, California, USA. His birth sign is Aquarius, and he is 73 years old. Furthermore, his real name is Mark Andrew Spitz. Arnold Spitz is his father’s name and Lenore Sylvia is his mother’s name (Smith). Furthermore, his family is Jewish, his father is from Hungary, and his mother is from Russia, and her surname is “Sklotkovick”.
When he was two years old, his father moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. He swam at Waikiki Beach every day he was in Hawaii. When he was six years old, his family moved to Sacramento, California. It was at this time that he began competing in his local swimming club. When he was fourteen, his family moved again to Santa Clara. He was also the oldest of three children.
Mark Spitz Education
From 1964 to 1968, he attended and graduated from Santa Clara High School. During these four years, he set state high school records in every stroke and distance. He later attended Indiana University as a re-dental student and a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity from 1968-1972.
Height and weight of Mark Spitz
Mark Spitz is 6 feet tall and weighs 73 pounds. His hair is gray and his eyes are brown. Apart from that, there is no information about his other body measurements.
Mark Spitz (Source: Pinterest)
Career
Mark Spitz began competing at his local swim club in Sacramento, California when he was six years old. He began training with swim coach Shermo Chavoor at the Arden Hills Swim Club in Sacramento when he was nine years old. By the time he was ten years old, he held one age group world record and seventeen national records. At the age of fourteen, he began training at the Santa Clara Swimming Club under the guidance of George F Haines.
From 1964 to 1968, he coached with Haines at SCSC and Santa Clara High School. Furthermore, at the age of sixteen, he won the 100-meter butterfly at the AAU National Championships in 1966. The following year, at a small California meet, he set his first world record in the 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:10.60. In 1965, he made his international debut at the Maccabiah Games.
He won four gold medals and was named the most outstanding athlete of the tournament. He won five gold medals at the 1967 Pan American Games, breaking the then world record. He trained hard for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, expecting to win six gold medals. However, he did not perform at his best and managed to win only two team gold medals in the 4100 and 4200 meter freestyle relays.
He also won a silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly and a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle. After a disappointing Olympic experience, he enrolled at Indiana University as a pre-dental student and trained under legendary Indiana Hoosiers swim coach Doc Counsilman. Furthermore, with the help of Counsilman, he improved his form and was ready for the 1972 Olympics.
He made history by winning seven Olympic gold medals in individual and team competition at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. In addition, he set a new world record in each of the seven disciplines. However, he announced his retirement shortly after his Olympic successes, which catapulted him to sports superstar status. He also secured lucrative commercial opportunities by 1974, earning $6 million from endorsements and other business ventures. Over time, his popularity began to wane, and he began to pursue other interests. He appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” on television from 1973 to 1974. He also appeared in several commercials for Schick razors.
He joined ABC Sports in 1976 and worked on a variety of sports broadcasts, including coverage of the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics and the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. After working as a television anchor for several years, he decided to pursue a career in real estate. Furthermore, over the years he has worked on a number of entrepreneurial projects with former NBA player Rick Barry. He has also achieved considerable success as a motivational speaker.
Mark Spitz net worth
Swimming World magazine named Mark Spitz the World Swimmer of the Year in 1967, 1971 and 1972. In 1971, he also received the James E. Sullivan Award as the best amateur athlete in the United States. Additionally, in 1972, he was named the Associated Press Swimmer of the Year.
In 1979, he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, in 1977 into the Swimming Hall of Fame, and in 1983 into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame. He is also a nine-time Olympic winner, with nine gold medals, one silver and one bronze.
Mark Spitz won a gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich (Source: Instagram) He made a fortune from his professional swimming career and other business ventures. As of September 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around US$20 million. However, there is no more information about his salary.
Wife of Mark Spitz, marriage
Suzy Weiner, a UCLA theater student and part-time model, began dating Mark Spitz. Suzy was also the daughter of her father’s business acquaintance. On May 6, 1973, less than a year after the Munich Olympics, he and Suzy were married in a traditional Jewish wedding at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He and Suzy also have two sons, Matthew and Justin. He and his wife Suzy moved to Los Angeles, California.
As for rumors and controversies, he has not been a part of them until now. In addition, he is busy with his personal and professional life. Furthermore, he prefers to stay away from rumors and controversies.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education