Madonna Buder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sister
Madonna Buder
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Sister Madonna Buder wins the Women 75+ age division at Ironman Canada
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Marie Dorothy Buder
July 24, 1930 St. Louis, Missouri,
United States |
| Education | Visitation Academy of St. Louis |
| Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis |
| Occupation | Former Religious sister, triathlete |
| Years active | 1952 - present |
| Employer | Sisters for Christian Community |
Madonna Buder (born Marie Dorothy Buder on July 24, 1930) is an amazing American triathlete and a former religious sister. She is often called the Iron Nun because of her incredible strength and determination in sports. She holds a world record for being the oldest woman to finish an Ironman Triathlon. She achieved this at 82 years old!
Contents
Early Life and Religious Journey
Marie Dorothy Buder was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 24, 1930. She went to an all-girls Catholic school called Visitation Academy of St. Louis. After high school, she studied at Maryville College and Washington University in St. Louis.
When she was 23, she joined a convent to become a nun. Later, in 1970, she decided to join a new group of religious sisters. This group, called the Sisters for Christian Community, allowed its members more freedom to choose their own work and way of life. This freedom helped Sister Madonna to follow her passion for sports.
Triathlon Career
Sister Madonna Buder started training for triathlons when she was 48 years old. A priest suggested it could help her "mind, body, and spirit." She found that it brought her relaxation and calmness.
First Races and Achievements
She completed her first triathlon at age 52. Just three years later, at 55, she finished her first Ironman event. Since then, she has completed over 325 triathlons, including 45 Ironman races!
In 2005, at 75 years old, she became the oldest woman to finish the Hawaii Ironman race. She completed it just one hour before the 17-hour time limit. The next year, in 2006, she broke her own record at age 76, finishing the same race in 16 hours, 59 minutes, and 3 seconds.
Breaking Records and Inspiring Others
Sister Madonna is very famous in the Triathlon world for her achievements. As she got older, the Ironman organization even had to create new age categories just for her!
In 2009, at 79 years old, she finished Ironman Canada in 16 hours, 54 minutes, and 30 seconds. This broke her own record again! She has also worked hard to raise money for different charities through her races. She once said, "I train religiously," showing how dedicated she is.
The Oldest Ironman Finisher
On August 26, 2012, Sister Madonna Buder made history. At 82 years old, she finished the Subaru Ironman Canada race. This made her the oldest person, male or female, to ever finish an Ironman triathlon! She completed the race in 16 hours and 32 minutes. This beat the previous record held by 81-year-old Lew Hollander.
In 2014, Sister Madonna Buder was honored for her amazing career. She was inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame.
Works and Appearances
Sister Madonna Buder has shared her inspiring story with the world.
Autobiography
On October 5, 2010, she released her autobiography. It is called The Grace to Race: The Wisdom and Inspiration of the 80-Year-Old World Champion Triathlete Known as the Iron Nun. This book tells her life story and shares her wisdom.
Nike Advertisement
In 2016, Sister Madonna Buder was featured in a commercial for Nike, Inc. This ad was shown during the Summer Olympic Games. It highlighted her incredible spirit and determination.
See also
In Spanish: Madonna Buder para niños
