Hezly Rivera: Biography, Gymnastics Career & Net Worth

Hezly Rivera: Biography, Gymnastics Career & Net Worth

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Hezly Rivera is the U.S. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist that shocked the world with her late selection at the 2024 Olympic Trials at just 16 years of age. Having defended the national titles, we look at the verified facts about her career, background, and how much money she has made.

Quick Facts

Full NameHezly Esther Rivera
BornJune 4, 2008
Age18 (as of 2026)
FromOradell, New Jersey; now trains in the Dallas area
SportArtistic gymnastics (balance beam and uneven bars are her strongest events)
Olympic MedalGold, women’s team, Paris 2024
CollegeLSU Tigers (listed for 2027–30)
Net WorthNot publicly disclosed — treat any online estimate as unverified

Early Life and Move to Texas

Born in New Jersey, Hezly started gymnastics in Oradell. She got her first taste of gymnastics at a friend’s birthday party at a gym. She went on to ENA Gymnastics in Paramus and competed under coach Craig Zappa. By the year 2023, she had achieved the status of U.S. Junior National Champion. She decided she had to go somewhere more elite to achieve the level she needed to make the U.S. Olympic Team, and in 2021 convinced her family to relocate to the Dallas area. There, she was able to work under Valeri and Anna Liukin, the parents of 2008 Olympic all-around Gold Medalist, Nastia Liukin.

The Road to Paris 2024

At the start of 2024, Rivera competed in the Winter Cup and placed 3rd all-around. At that same competition, she also tied for first in the beam discipline. At the National Championships that same year, she finished 6th and at the Olympic Trials placed 5th all-around. After other gymnasts dropped out with injuries, Rivera was the final selection by the committee. As the last selection, Rivera was the youngest athlete for the entire U.S. team that attended the 2024 Paris Olympics and was the only team newcomer, having competed against Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey.

Hezly Rivera Olympic Gold as One of the Golden Girls

In Paris, Hezly Rivera competed on uneven bars and balance beam in the qualification round, helping the United States secure its place in the team final. She did not compete in the final itself, but she was awarded a gold medal as a member of the winning team, nicknamed the “Golden Girls” after their victory. She then joined her teammates on the Gold Over America Tour. You can read more about her Olympic teammate in our profile of Suni Lee.

Hezly Rivera National Titles and International Team Golds

After the Olympics, Rivera quickly established herself as a top senior. She is the reigning two-time U.S. national champion, with titles in 2025 and 2026, and won the all-around plus several event titles at the 2025 U.S. Championships. Wikipedia’s medal table also lists team gold medals for her at international events in Panama City in 2025 and Rio de Janeiro in 2026.

LSU and the Road to LA 2028

Hezly Rivera is listed as heading to LSU for the 2027–30 seasons, the program that made NCAA champions of gymnasts like Livvy Dunne. She has said her focus is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and that she wants to inspire young Latinas to believe they can reach the sport’s highest level.

Hezly Rivera Net Worth and Earnings

As with every profile we publish, it’s worth separating what’s confirmed from what’s speculation. The money Hezly has made from endorsements, personal appearances, and tours post-Olympics has not been made public. Net worth profile websites show figures, but provide no sources, therefore, any figures related to her net worth should be taken as estimates.

Fun Facts

  • She is the youngest U.S. team member that attended the 2024 Paris Games.
  • She attended her first birthday party that took place in a gym, and from that time, became inspired to learn the art of gymnastics.
  • For her to study gymnastics with the Liukin family, in 2021 she moved to Texas.

Hezly Rivera’s story

Hezly Rivera’s story is a rare one: a gymnast who made the Olympic team as an underdog, won gold without competing in the final, and then proved the selectors right with national titles of her own. With LSU and LA 2028 ahead, she is one of the most closely watched young gymnasts in the sport. Career details here draw on Wikipedia, her Team USA profile, and TIME.

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