Adam Rippon
He became the first openly gay American man to win a medal at the Winter Olympics, transforming figure skating with his wit and resilience.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American figure skater·Birthday: November 11·Millennials
Biography
Adam Rippon's journey to the Olympic podium was a decade-long battle against the odds, marked by near-misses and a late-career renaissance. The Pennsylvania-born skater, known for his balletic grace and expressive artistry, dominated the junior ranks but struggled to break through at the senior level for years. His career was almost derailed by injury and self-doubt, but a fierce comeback in 2016, when he finally won the U.S. national title at age 26, rewrote his story. At the 2018 PyeongChang Games, his bronze medal in the team event was historic, but his impact was larger: as an unapologetically out athlete, his sharp humor and candid interviews made him a media sensation and a pivotal figure for LGBTQ+ visibility in sports. His retirement shifted him seamlessly into commentary and advocacy, where his voice continues to challenge conventions.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Adam was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Adam Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Adam's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a bronze medal in the team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics, becoming the first openly gay U.S. man to medal at a Winter Games.
- Captured the U.S. National Championship title in 2016 after years of near-misses.
- Secured the Four Continents Championship gold medal in 2010.
- Was a two-time Junior World Champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2009.
Did You Know?
He was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.
He publicly turned down a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence before the 2018 Olympics over concerns about Pence's views on LGBTQ rights.
He served as a correspondent for 'Entertainment Tonight' during the 2020 Summer Olympics.
He is a trained vocalist and has performed in skating shows to his own singing.
“I'm not just the gay athlete. I'm the American who worked his whole life to get to the Olympics.”
