Rūta Meilutytė is a trailblazing Lithuanian swimmer whose meteoric rise in the sport has made her one of her nation’s most celebrated athletes.
Born on March 19, 1997, in Kaunas, Lithuania, she emerged as a prodigy in breaststroke events, captivating the world with her explosive power and unyielding determination.
At just 15 years old, Meilutytė stunned the swimming community by clinching Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games, becoming the first Lithuanian to win a swimming medal in Olympic history and etching her name into the annals of the sport as one of its youngest champions.
Her journey, however, has been far from linear, marked by record-shattering triumphs, personal hardships, and a resilient comeback that underscores her enduring legacy.
Today, at 28, she continues to compete at the elite level, holding multiple world records and inspiring a new generation of swimmers.
Siblings
Rūta has two siblings, namely Margiris Meilutis and Mindaugas Meilutis.
While specific details about her older brother and sister remain largely private.
Raised primarily by her father, Saulius Meilutis, a dedicated nurse, and later by her grandmother, Meilutytė has often credited her family’s unwavering encouragement as a cornerstone of her success.
Career
Meilutytė’s swimming career ignited early, with her first plunge into the pool at age seven in Kaunas, where her natural affinity for the water quickly shone through despite an inauspicious start—she nearly drowned on her debut session.
By 13, she shattered Lithuanian records in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, signaling her prodigious talent and earning her a scholarship to Plymouth College in England in 2010.
Under the guidance of coach Jon Rudd at Plymouth Leander Swimming Club, she honed a rigorous regimen of up to 60 kilometers of weekly training, transforming her into a global force.
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Her breakthrough came at the 2012 London Olympics, where she claimed gold in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:05.47, outpacing world champion Rebecca Soni and igniting national celebrations in Lithuania.
The following year at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona, the then-16-year-old etched her name in history by breaking the 100m breaststroke world record twice—first in the semifinals at 1:04.35, then defending her title—while also setting a record in the 50m event, becoming the first swimmer to hold all major junior and senior titles simultaneously.
Challenges arose post-2013, including a fourth-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics amid mounting pressures, leading to a hiatus.
In 2019, she faced a two-year suspension for missing doping tests, prompting a brief retirement announcement that tested her resolve.
Yet, Meilutytė staged a phoenix-like return in 2021, reclaiming dominance with golds at the 2022 and 2024 World Short Course Championships in the 50m breaststroke.
Despite foot surgery and an 11th-place semifinal finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she led Lithuania’s team to the 2025 World Championships in Singapore, her career a testament to perseverance amid personal battles, including revelations in 2025 about enduring a toxic training environment that contributed to depression and an eating disorder.
Accolades
Meilutytė’s crown jewel remains the 2012 Olympic gold in the 100m breaststroke, a feat that not only secured Lithuania’s first swimming Olympic medal but also positioned her among the youngest winners in the event’s history.
She doubled down with world championship glory, capturing the 100m breaststroke title in 2013 alongside world records in both the 50m and 100m events that year, feats she repeated in short course formats to hold current records of 29.16 seconds in the long course 50m breaststroke, 28.50 in short course 50m, and 1:02.32 in short course 100m.
Meilutytė’s haul extends to multiple European Championship golds, including the 100m breaststroke in 2012, and a sweep of youth accolades, such as gold at the 2011 European Youth Olympic Festival and dual golds at the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing.
Her 2022 and 2024 short course world titles in the 50m breaststroke marked her as a four-time world champion overall, while her 2025 outing further cements her legacy.
Beyond medals, she boasts over a dozen Lithuanian national records and endorsements from brands like Arena, amassing an estimated net worth of $2.5 million through prizes and sponsorships.
In June 2025, she publicly embraced her bisexuality in a powerful show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, adding advocacy to her storied resume and inspiring athletes worldwide.
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