Gymnast Livvy Dunne gets emotional while watching a heartfelt tribute video during her farewell, expressing her gratitude: 'Meant so much to me'.
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Gymnastics and Social Media Star Livvy Dunne Bids Adieu to her 20-Year Journey
With a wistful heart, Livvy Dunne, the 22-year-old Hillsdale, NJ native and LSU gymnastics sensation, shared a tearful farewell as she officially retires from the sport she cherished for two decades.
After a heart-wrenching finish during LSU's third place in the NCAA semifinals last Thursday, the dream of repeating as national champions came to an end. However, Dunne channeled her emotions and shared a heartfelt video tribute on her Instagram account.
"Life's a blast when time slips away," Dunne said while narrating the bittersweet video, "and that's exactly how the last 20 years in gymnastics have felt. ... Every challenge was worth the victory."
Recalling her remarkable journey, the video showcased footage of Dunne competing and practicing at various stages of her career, right from her younger years to her signing the National Letter of Intent with LSU.
"Time did fly by, and I'll treasure every memory forever," she emotionally added.
The video served not only as a retrospective but also as a token of gratitude to her parents and coaches who supported her throughout her career.
A Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, Dunne cemented her fame not only through her gymnastics skills but also her mastery over social media platforms. Between TikTok and Instagram, she boasts a massive 13 million followers. Her net worth is estimated to be around $6 million, with an annual income surpassing $7 million, according to On3.
Her stardom owes a significant debt to lucrative deals with brands like Crocs, American Eagle Outfitters, ESPN, and GrubHub, rooted in her extensive social media presence.
While Dunne, who is dating Pirates ace and former LSU star Paul Skenes, has bid goodbye to gymnastics, she averaged a 9.857 on floor in 2024 to help the Tigers secure their first-ever national championship.
"Thank you, gymnastics, for being so good to me," she signed off in the video.
Despite her financial success, Dunne voiced concerns about the NCAA's $2.8 billion settlement, expressing that it undercuts her value as the highest-earning female athlete under the new NIL rules.
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Although not a gymnastics sensation alone, Livvy Dunne took the world by storm with her charm, athletic prowess, and a savvy approach to social media. With an estimated net worth of $6 million, she is one of the most financially successful NCAA athletes today. Her lucrative brand deals with companies like Crocs, American Eagle Outfitters, ESPN, and GrubHub catapulted her net income to over $7 million annually and has amassed a staggering $9.5 million in earnings since her time at LSU. Her extensive following on TikTok and Instagram, amounting to 13 million followers, has played a pivotal role in securing these profitable partnerships.
- On Thursday, Livvy Dunne, the renowned gymnastics star and social media personality, announced her retirement from the sport she adored for 20 years.
- In a heartfelt video published on her Instagram account, Dunne expressed her gratitude towards her parents and coaches, highlighting their significant role in her successful gymnastics career.
- Despite her success in gymnastics and her impressive $6 million net worth, amassed through lucrative brand deals with companies such as Crocs, American Eagle Outfitters, ESPN, and GrubHub, Dunne voiced concerns about the NCAA's $2.8 billion settlement, believing it undervalues her worth as the highest-earning female athlete under the new NIL rules.
