LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — By taking chances, Eileen Gu is building a sport. She’s winning medals. Yet on a sunny Sunday at the Olympics where she defended her title on the halfpipe, maybe the best prize of all was knowing her grandma would be proud.

China's Eileen Gu found out her grandmother passed away about an hour after she won gold in the women's free ski halfpipe at the 2026 Milan Olympics.

Eileen Gu just made Olympic history in Milan Cortina, and she did it the hard way. The 21-year-old freeskier entered all three disciplines this time around: halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air. Nobody else in the field attempted that kind

Freestyle skier Eileen Gu cries during press conference after finding out her grandmother passed away after winning Gold medal.

With six medals in six events over two Winter Olympics. the 22-year-old Eileen Gu is the most-decorated women’s free skier of all time.

Get to know the family behind Eileen Gu's America-Chinese citizenship.

Eileen Gu honors her late grandmother with an emotional tribute after winning multiple medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, sharing how her promise to “be brave” inspired her historic performance.

In 2026, Eileen Gu is not just an Olympic champion but one of winter sports’ top earners. According to Celebrity Net Worth, her net worth is about $50.