Who Are Yared Nuguse’s Parents? Everything to Know About Alem Nuguse and Mana Berhe

Yared Nuguse, the Paris Olympics bronze medalist in the 1500m race, has been making history since he started running in high school. At the 2025 Millrose Games, he ran a 3:46.63 in the mile distance to set the indoor national record. Along with that, the middle-distance runner also set up the national record in the 1500m race with a time of 3:31.74. Transitioning from a cautious “sit-and-kick” strategy to a more aggressive “lead-and-kick” approach, Nuguse’s dominance on the track is unquestionable.

And behind the 25-year-old’s formative journey is the careful guidance of his parents, whose struggles, depths of personal lives, and culture have shaped the sprinter. So, let’s get to know about his folks a little bit.

Who is Yared Nuguse’s father?

Ethiopia, steeped in ancient history and cultural richness, holds a significant place in the family’s narrative. However, political turmoil in the 1980s forced Alem Nuguse, Yared’s father, to confront the harsh realities of oppression. Originally from the Tigray region of Ethiopia, Alem Nuguse experienced firsthand the consequences of dissent in a nation grappling with conflict and socialist governance. Alem’s commitment to his principles led to persecution, prompting a perilous journey in search of safety.

Before he was imprisoned, Alem was a math and English teacher. Education has been a key pillar in the Nuguse family, and that can also be seen in Yared Nuguse and his 5 siblings. Further, his father considered himself lucky that he wasn’t tortured during his 6 months in prison. But after being released, Alem would take the decision to leave the country, joining three other refugees to reach Port Sudan.

They embarked on a treacherous trek, traversing desolate landscapes, driven more by fear of retribution than the dangers lurking in the wilderness. Trying to find a better life, Yared’s father’s final destination was the USA. Here, he would stay at a friend’s place instead of a refugee camp. And he would start teaching again. Alem’s resilience and determination secured political asylum under the Ronald Reagan administration, and he started fresh. Settling down, Alem eventually found formal employment as a clerk at Aetna Insurance. After that, he would become an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.

Ensuring the Nuguse family was taken care of financially, Alem Nuguse built his happy family, far away from his homeland. And with him, was Mana Berhe, who in a fateful way is also connected to Ethiopia.

Who is Yared Nuguse’s mother?

Both Mana Berhe and Alem hailed from Tigray of Ethiopia. Yet, their paths didn’t converge until fate brought them together outside their homeland. Alem would meet his future wife in Arlington, Virginia, forging a bond that transcended borders. As they started a new chapter, the couple relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, seeking a better future.

Settling down in Louisville, Kentucky, they would raise their 6 children, Fastina, Tegest, Senait, Yared, and twins Zebeeb and Alula. Initially, starting over in a new country, owning a liquor store on Greenwood and Cecil was the main source of income for Mana and Alem. Slowly, leaving the past behind, Yared Nuguse’s parents began a meaningful life – a life full of love and values. So, both Mana and Alem prioritized education within their household.

In fact, athletics and sports were not really something Mana and Alem focused on for their children. And that even impacted Yared mentally. He never considers boasting about his sporting accomplishments. But that’s not the only factor. The Nuguse family also played a big role in teaching humility and being levelheaded, no matter what. And it could be clearly seen in the Paris Bronze Medalist. Mana’s husband told The Courier-Journal in September 2023 how Yared told him that he had broken the indoor national record for the mile distance in 2023: “If it was another kid, it would jumping, it would be surprised,” but not Yared Nuguse. His father said, “Yared is always quiet. He doesn’t act like his age. He acts like a mature man.”

It is Alem and Mana’s upbringing that has had a profound nourishing and cultured impact on all their children.

What is Yared Nuguse’s Parents’ nationality?

Despite Yared being American, Alem Nuguse and Mana Berhe are Ethiopian by nationality. And at home, they have tried to raise the family in the culture of the homeland. A sense of community and brotherhood is always found in the culture of the Tigrayans, as is the value of honest, hard work. Although Alem once said to Indystar, “The family once visited Ethiopia for two months, and the children ‘didn’t like it at all.’”

Although same cannot be said of Yared Nuguse. He feels quite deeply for his Ethiopian relatives and brother. So much so that his father had to ask him to tell him to sometimes channel out the mess in Ethiopia: “Yared, you just don’t need to know anything about Tigray right now. Concentrate on your races.”

Yared Nuguse still thinks through his fame and popularity, he can play a positive influence on the situation in Ethiopia.