Helene Madison

Biography

Champion swimmer Helene Emma Madison was born on June 19, 1913 in Madison, Wisconsin. Helene moved with her family to Seattle, Washington while still a child. Madison first gained recognition as a competitive swimmer by winning the Northwest High School Championship in 1928. Helene broke the state record for the women's 100-yard freestyle at age fifteen in 1929 and became the first woman to swim the 100-yard freestyle in one minute flat in 1931. Madison's winning streak continued through the early 1930's: She not only won every Amateur Athletic Union freestyle title in 1930, 1931, and 1932, but also set a total of twenty-six freestyle world records. Moreover, Helene won gold medals in women's 100 meters freestyle, women's 400 meters freestyle, and women's 4 x 100 freestyle relay at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. After retiring from competitive swimming, Madison embarked on a short-lived acting career and made an abortive attempt at becoming a nurse. In addition, Helene also tried her hand at being a nightclub entertainer as well as worked as a concession stand vendor, department store clerk, and swimming instructor. Madison was married three times. Helene was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966 and the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1992. Helene died from throat cancer at age 57 on November 27, 1970.