Zola Budd

Quick Facts

Full Name	Zola Budd
Occupation	Runner
Date Of Birth	May 26, 1966(1966-05-26)
Age	58
Country	South Africa
Horoscope	Taurus

Zola Budd Biography

Zola Budd is one of the most popular and richest Runner who was born on May 26, 1966 in South Africa. Barefoot long-distance runner, 1992 Olympic competitor. He was also a two-time IAAF World Cross Country Champion.

She was criticized for causing Mary Decker to tumble during the 1984 3000 meter final.

Zola Pieterse (née Budd; born 26 May 1966) is a middle-distance and long- distance runner. She competed at the 1984 Olympic Games for Great Britain and the 1992 Olympic Games for South Africa, both times in the 3000 metres. In 1984 (unratified) and 1985, she broke the world record in the women’s 5000 metres. She was also a two-time winner at the World Cross Country Championships (1985–1986). Budd’s career was unusual in that she mainly trained and raced barefoot. She moved with her family to South Carolina in 2008, and competes at marathons and ultramarathons. She volunteers as assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. Her mile best of 4:17.57 in 1985, still stands as the British record.

In the 1984 Olympics, held in Los Angeles, California, the media billed the 3000 m race as a duel between Budd and world champion Mary Decker, and few reported that a third contestant, Romanian Maricica Puică, had set the fastest time that year.

In 1989, she married Mike Pieterse; she has a daughter called Lisa.

Zola Budd Net Worth

Zola Budd is one of the richest Runner from South Africa. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Zola Budd 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

At age 17, she broke the world record in women’s 5000m.

After a controversial collision, she lost her chance at the 1984 gold medal.

At 1700 metres, the first collision occurred. Decker came into contact with one of Budd’s legs, knocking Budd slightly off balance. However, both women maintained their close position. Five strides on, at race time of 4:58, Budd and Decker again made contact, with Budd’s left foot brushing Decker’s thigh, causing Budd to lose her balance and sending her into Decker’s path. Decker’s spiked running shoe came down hard into Budd’s ankle, just above the heel, drawing blood. Videotapes later examined by Olympic officials showed Budd visibly in pain. However, Budd maintained equilibrium and kept stride.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Zola Budd height Not available right now. Zola weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Zola Budd Dating?

According to our records, Zola Budd married to Mike Pieterse. As of December 1, 2023, Zola Budd’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Zola Budd. You may help us to build the dating records for Zola Budd!

1986 began with a defence of her World Cross Country title and a world indoor 3000m record of 8:39.79. However, after a couple of victories in fast early season times over 1500m (4:01.93) and 3000m (8:34.72), her outdoor track season brought several defeats by athletes she should have beaten easily. She competed in both the 1500m and 3000m at the European Championships but did not win a medal in either, finishing 9th and 4th respectively. It later emerged that Budd was suffering a painful leg injury for much of the season: she did not compete in 1987 as she sought treatment for this.

Facts & Trivia

Zola Ranked on the list of most popular Runner. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in South Africa. Zola Budd celebrates birthday on May 26 of every year.

In 1989 Budd married Mike Pieterse. The couple have three children, daughter Lisa and twins, Azelle and Mike. On her return home to South Africa, Budd began racing again. She had an excellent season in 1991 and was the second- fastest woman in the world over 3000m. Following South Africa’s re-admission to international sport, she competed in the 3000m at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona but did not qualify for the final. In 1993, she finished fourth at the World Cross Country championships but would never translate this form on to the track. In 1989 Budd published her autobiography, Zola (co-written with Hugh Eley). Budd remains the holder of numerous British and South African records at junior and senior levels, and still holds two junior world records: the mile and 3000m.

Top Facts about Zola Budd

1. Zola Budd was born in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa on 26 May 1966.
2. She achieved fame in early 1984 for breaking the 5000m world record when she was 17.
3. In 1985 she represented Great Britain and officially broke the world record for the 5000m. She also set new UK and Commonwealth records for the 1500m, mile, 3000m and 5000m.
4. At the 1984 Olympics, Budd and Mary Decker were involved in a dramatic collision whilst running the 3000m, causing Decker to fall.
5. Budd moved to the UK in 1984 with the help of her grandfather’s British passport.
6. In 1986 she won World Cross Country Champion, defeated Ingrid Kristiansen.
7. She held numerous British and South African records at junior and senior levels; and still holds two junior world records: the mile and 3000m.
8. She moved to South Carolina, USA in 2008; and competed at marathons and ultramarathons.
9. She won the women’s division of the Dasani Half-Marathon in 2009 with a time of 1:20:41.
10. In 2012, she competed in the Comrades (ultra)Marathon and earned a Bill Rowan Medal with a time of 8:06:09.
11. In 2014, she entered the Comrades again and finished with a time of 6:55:55, earning a gold medal for being the first ‘veteran’ finisher.
12. She was stripped of her ‘veteran’ gold medal due to a technicality, and started court proceedings against the Comrades Marathon Association to have it reinstated.
13. In March 2015, she won the Run Hard Columbia (SC) Marathon with a time of 3:05:27.
14. She moved back to South Africa in 2021.
15. Township taxis in South Africa are nicknamed “Zola Budd” for their speed.

Where is Zola Budd now?

As of July 2020, she was an Assistant Cross Country and Girls Track Coach at Conway High School in Conway, South Carolina. As of August 2021 after the 2020-2021 season she moved back to South Africa.

Is Zola Budd still married to Mike Pieterse?

Bloemfontein – World-renowned long-distance athlete Zola (Budd) Pieterse and her husband, businessman Mike Pieterse, are getting divorced after a 17-year marriage.

How old is Zola Budd now?

56 years (May 26, 1966)

Did Zola Budd win an Olympic gold medal?

Budd, the barefoot South Africa-born runner who was given a fast-track passport to represent Great Britain at the Olympics, said she “gave up” after the incident because she did not want to win a medal when the crowd started to boo her.

Where is Mary Decker today?

Mary Decker Slaney still holds five American records from the 800-meter to the 3,000-meter event. Living with her husband in Eugene, Oregon , she is now a master’s runner, competing in road races and track meets across the United States.