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via Getty

via Getty

One of the most celebrated track and field sprinters, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who competes in 200 m, 100 m, and 60 m, has been a consistent champ for well over a decade. A three-time Olympic gold winner and a five-time world champion, the Jamaican star sprinter is also the first Caribbean woman to win a gold in the 100 m final when she won it back in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, born on December 27, 1986, to Maxine Simpson and Orane Fraser, started running barefoot while she attended primary school. Shelly, along with her two brothers, was raised by her mother. Both her parents played a significant role in shaping her career as a star sprinter. After a successful career as one of the world’s most renowned sprinters, Shelly has decided to bid farewell to tracks after the 2024 Paris Olympics. As she prepares to make her way to Paris, let’s take a look at her family life.

All about Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s parents

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Shelly’s mother, Maxine Simpson, has played a crucial role in her career and life. Maxine herself once was a great athlete and her dedication to the sport and her experience has helped Shelly to excel. Shelly was raised alongside her two brothers, Omar and Andrew. Maxine’s profound influence has amazingly nurtured Shelly’s talent. “My mother is probably one of the biggest reasons why I’m running. Because she used to run and she stopped because she got pregnant with my big brother (Omar),” Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce once said. Shelly learned the value of discipline from her mother and implemented the same in her daily routine as well. 

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For Simpson, raising three children wasn’t easy. Living in the tough Waterhouse community of Kingston, Jamaica, had its own challenges. She made sure that her children got the basic necessities and for that, she worked as a street vendor. Selling fruits and goods was a part of her routine. Only a dedicated mother like Simpson could have taught Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce the value of hard work, humility, and perseverance to her children. “My mother encourages me a lot and I really love her because when nobody else was there, she always made sure to provide for us,” Shelly stated years ago. 

The Track and Field icon herself is a super mom aka “Mummy Rocket”

The dedication and passion Shelly shows on tracks are reflected in her personal life too. Yes, she is a proud mother of a beautiful son, Zion. She gave birth to Zion in 2017 and right after that, she made a wonderful comeback to competitive sprinting. She is fondly called “Mummy Rocket”, because of her power-packed performances on track even after becoming a proud mom. 

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Today, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is an inspiration to her countless female fans. Shelly inspires those mothers who want to earn big names for themselves even after becoming a mother. Her contributions to her homeland Jamaica through her foundation are worthy of praise. After many hardships that life had to offer to her and her mother, Shelly managed to shine not only as an athlete but as a mother too.

However, the sprinter recently announced that she’s going to bow out right after the 2024 Paris Olympics. She now wants to spend more time with her son Zion now. She said her husband Jason has been a great support for her and has sacrificed a lot for the sprinter. Shelly now wants to spend more time with family. Also, the champ is more into helping the underprivileged children and after stepping off the big stage she wants to contribute more to the same cause.