Anthony Lee Ervin

The journey of Anthony Ervin has to becoming homeless, attempting suicide, winning Olympic gold as a youngster, regaining control of his life, and winning gold at the Olympics again is incredible. Ervin also set a record for the oldest Olympic champion in individual swimming at age 35.

Quick Facts of Anthony Ervin

Name Anthony Lee Ervin
Date of Birth 26th May 1981
Birth Place Santa Clarita, California, USA
Nick Name Tony
Age 41 years old
Gender Male
Religion Judaism
Nationality African-American
Ethnicity Jewish
Horoscope Gemini
Profession Swimming
Height 6’3″ (1.91 m)
Weight 80 kg (176 lbs)
Body Mass Index (BMI) 22.0
Build Athletic
Hair Color Black
Eye Color Black
Tattoo Yes
Father Name Jack Ervin
Mother Name Sherry Ervin
Siblings Jackie Ervin (brother)
Relationship Single
Education William Hart High school, University of Berkeley
Team Unavailable
Coach David Marsh
Strokes Freestyle
Career 2000-2003 & 2011-present
Olympic Records
  • Rio 2016: 50m freestyle (Gold), 4x100m freestyle relay (Gold)
  • Sydney 2000: 50m freestyle (Gold),    4x100m freestyle relay (Silver)
World Championship Records
  • 2001 Fukuoka: 50m freestyle relay (Gold), 100m freestyle (Gold),
  • 2013 Barcelona: 4x100m freestyle relay (Gold)
Personal Best
  • 50m freestyle (LC): 21.40, Rio (2016)
  • 100m freestyle (LC): 48.33, Fukuoka (2001)
  • 50m freestyle (SC): 20.85, Berlin (2012)
  • 100m freestyle (SC): 46.48, Singapore (2013)
Salary Unavailable
Net Worth $1.5 million
Hobbies Travel, Music, Reading
Social media InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedln
Swimming Merch Book, Cap, Men’s and Women’s Suits
Last Update September, 2022

How much is the net worth and earnings of Anthony Ervin?

The total net worth of Anthony Lee Ervin is $1.5 million. He won the 4x100m relay at the 2013 World Championship (LC), earning him $15,000.

Likewise, after winning two gold and one silver medal at the 2012 World Championship (SC), he received $12,000. Furthermore, the USA Olympic Committee gave him $50,000 after he won two gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Sponsors

Ervin agreed to be sponsored by the American swimsuit brand FINIS in 2013. He has been competing in their swimsuit since since wearing it.

He also contributed to the development of FINI’s brand-new swimming tech suit, branded as #Rival 2.0, in 2018.

Anthony Ervin wearing FINIS caps

His endorsement agreements with Imagine Swimming School go back a long time. Moreover, he was motivated to participate once more in 2011 by his work as a teacher at Imagine.

Similarly, he is supported by the snack company Picky Bars.

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Background and Personal Life of Anthony Ervin

On May 26, 1981, Anthony Ervin was born in Santa Clarita, California. He also has a distinctive family tree.

Sherry Ervin is of Jewish ancestry, whereas Jack Ervin is of African American and Indian ancestry. Jackie Ervin, another sibling, also exists.

Ervin took swimming lessons as a child so that he could channel his vigor and aggression into something constructive.

In 2010, he earned his English bachelor’s degree from the University of California. Anthony later earned a master’s degree in sports, culture, and education from Cal.

A book about Ervin’s life and career, Chasing Water: Elegy Of An Olympian, was published in 2016 as well.

The International Swimming Hall of Fame later presented his book with the Buck Dawson Authors Award in 2018.

Good Cause

He gave away his Olympic gold medal from the 50 m freestyle event in 2004 to help the victims of the 2004 tsunami in the Philippines. He also gave $17,000 to the Red Cross’s tsunami relief fund.

Similar to this, Ervin has previously traveled extensively throughout the USA and other countries, offering free training camps for swimming to kids.

Anthony Ervin at training camp

He is also the first representative for International Water Safety Day and a founding member of The USA Council on Racial and Social Justice.

He also served as the youth ambassador for the Tourette Association of America from 2017 to 2018.

Awful Times for Anthony

He developed drug, cigarette, and alcohol addictions following his retirement at the age of 22. He also struggled with depression, and he attempted suicide on multiple occasions.

When he was abusing himself after ingesting these toxic substances, he was unable to get up from the sofa.

In addition, he was involved in a bike accident as a result of a police pursuit following a speeding ticket.

But all changed when he was offered a position instructing kids at the Imagine Swimming School by one of his pals.

Later, it served as inspiration for him to return to the world of international competition.

Favorites things of Anthony Ervin

One of Ervin’s favorite pastimes is music. Even creating a rock band called Weapons of Mass Destruction during his swimming break.

He enjoys playing guitar most of the time and has DJing talents as well.

Ervin enjoys traveling and has seen a lot of places. He also enjoys teaching swimming to individuals all over the world and learning about other people’s interests.

Anthony Ervin | Tattoos

Anthony Ervin undoubtedly has one of the best-looking tattoos. Additionally, it holds special significance for him because he got tattoos to take back his flesh and restore control of himself.

He mentioned tattoos as a means of getting over his chaotic lifestyle during an interview with CBS News.

His tattoos all have unique meanings. Additionally, the majority of his tattoos are incomplete to remind him that he is incomplete.

Anthony Ervin’s tattoos

Olympic rings on Ervin’s shoulder blades were his very first tattoos. But he says that it needs to be touched up again because it is fading.

A naked Japanese woman holding a blade in her right hand and a ball in her left hand is among his most spectacular body art, though.

Likewise, she has her legs extended towards his thigh and is wearing a traditional Japanese necklace.

The intriguing part of the tale is that he desired a large dragon. He later changed his mind after speaking with traditional Japanese tattoo artist Koji Ichimaru.

They sat down for many hours to finish his work as they were tattooing him in Bologna, Italy.

Ervin also completely covered his right and left hands with scale patterns of fish, seaweed, and plants.

Additionally, the artwork displays his love and excitement for the sea and being underwater because he has always loved the water and swimming.

Anthony Ervin | College Career

Attending William Hart High School was Anthony Ervin. He later achieved the top national ranking and won the CIF Southern Section swimming MVP award after graduating in 1999.

He registered for college at the University of California, Berkeley. Only he amazed everyone throughout his rookie season.

Since Matt Biondi, he was the only Bear swimmer to win multiple NCCA titles in the individual events.

He won the NCAA meet’s 50- and 100-meter freestyle events. He also won the 50 and 100 m freestyle events in the Pac-10 Championship, as well as the 200 and 400 m freestyle in the relay.

In his sophomore year, he successfully defended his NCAA 100m freestyle title as well as his Pac-10 championship 50m and 100m freestyle titles.

The following year, he won the NCAA 100m freestyle title three times. By completing the race in 41.62, he also broke records for the NCAA, Americana, and US Open.

Anthony Ervin with Natalie Coughlin at Cal Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony

In addition, he helped the Bears win conference and national titles in the 400-meter free relay. In his junior year, he was also named Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year.

Later, in 2015, FINIS athlete inducted Ervin into the California Berkeley Hall of Fame.

Early Years of Anthony Ervin’s Professional Career

Anthony Ervin competed in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events at the 2000 USA Olympic Trials in Indianapolis.

In the 50-meter freestyle, he came in second with a time of 21.80. However, he finished fifth in the 100-meter freestyle finals and made the 4×100-meter freestyle relay squad.

Later, in the 4x 100 m relay at the Sydney Olympics, Ervin and his teammates Gary Hall Jr., Neil Walker, and Jason Lezak placed second behind Australia.

Additionally, it was the USA’s first defeat in the competition. He did, however, swim reasonably well, finishing the leadoff leg in 48.89 seconds.

Nevertheless, he tied with Gary Hall Jr. for first place in the 50-meter freestyle finals to win the gold medal.

Ervin put on the strongest performance of his career the following year, earning gold in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events at the 2001 FINA World Championship.

Additionally, he beat fellow American Matt Biondi’s record for the 100m freestyle with a time of 48.33 to win.

He also placed second in the 4100 m freestyle and the 50 m freestyle at the 2002 Pan Pacifics in Yokohoma.

However, Ervin, then just 22 years old, gave up competitive swimming in 2003.

Comeback

After his final USA Swim competition in 2011, he started training again for the first time in 7 years.

His triumph in the 50-meter freestyle at the Chesapeake Pro-Ann upon his return put him back in the public eye.

Ervin was able to qualify for the Olympics in 2012, 12 years after his first Olympics, on the USA Olympic Trails.

He placed second in the 50m freestyle with a personal best time of 21.60 at the age of 31. But in the finals at the London Olympics, he came in fifth.

However, Team USA’s victories in the 4x100m freestyle relay and the 4x100m medley relay allowed him to bring home two gold medals from the 2012 FINA short course swimming championship.

Later, in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2013 World Championship, Team USA won silver with Nathan Adrian, Ryan Lochte, and Jimmy Feigen.

Ervin finished the competition with the fastest time among his colleagues, clocking it at 47.44.

He also qualified for the finals in the 50-meter freestyle event with a personal-best time of 21.42. But in the male event, he came in sixth.

The next year, he placed fifth in the 100m freestyle at the National Championship and won gold in the 50m freestyle.

Later, he was selected to compete in Gold Coast as a member of the USA’s Pan Pacs team. He took home silver in the 50 and 100 m freestyle events.

Not to mention, Ervin had a rough year in 2015 because he missed the finals of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay and the 50-meter freestyle.

Oldest Olympic Gold Medalist is Anthony Ervin

Ervin finished first in the 50-meter freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio with a personal-best time of 21.40.

Aug 1Anthony Ervin waving USA flag after winning 50m freestyle gold medal celebrates with his gold medal after the men’s 50m freestyle final at Olympic Aquatics Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY

In addition, he won by 0.01 seconds against Florent Manaudou, the defending Olympic champion in the 50-meter freestyle.

Anthony Ervin, 35, is the oldest individual swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal.

He accomplished that feat by surpassing Michael Phelps’ previous mark.

In the subsequent 4100 m freestyle with Michael Phelps, Ryan Held, and Caeleb Dressel, he also took first place.

He earned gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle, and 4×100-meter medley relay events in the 2017 Maccabiah Games.

He still desired to take part in the Olympics at age 39. Later, he competed in the 50m freestyle at the USA Olympic Trials in 2002.

With a timing of 22.61, he came in 23rd overall and was thus disqualified from the Tokyo Olympics.

The social media presence of Anthony Ervin

On social media, Anthony Ervin is active. He currently has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

With these handles combined, he has 105k+ fans. Additionally, he enjoys posting images and videos of his daily activities and swimming-related items.

Similar to this, Ervin runs a website where he frequently posts updates on his life. Additionally, his website offers the opportunity to buy every item on which he collaborated.

Questions and Answers

Will Anthony Ervin take part in the Olympics in Tokyo?

He aspired to take part in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He finished 23rd overall in the USA Olympic Trials in 22.61 seconds, but was unable to advance.

Anthony Ervin retired when?

In 2003, when he was 22 years old, he took his first retirement.

But in 2011, he came out of retirement.

Anthony Ervin has won how many gold medals at the Olympics?

Three Olympic gold medals in total have been earned by him. One was at the 2000 Olympics, and the other two were in 2016.