‘She Was Adopted’ – Jessica Pegula Lays Bare Mother’s Childhood Struggles That Led Her to Make Cultural Impact

The Pegula family has woven an incredible tale of tenacity, endurance, and victory into the vibrant tapestry of the Asian American community. For Jessica Pegula, every victory has a deeply meaningful and complex backstory. She recently opened up about her mother’s background and how it helped her understand cultural importance as she climbed the ladder of success.

Jessica Pegula is the daughter of billionaire entrepreneurs Terry and Kim Pegula. Her sporting accomplishments, however, conceal a story that is firmly ingrained in her cultural heritage and family history. She shared her insights on the importance of showcasing that “cultural background” as she and her mother gained success and fame.

Jessica Pegula sheds light on her mother’s South Korean origins

Despite being originally from South Korea, Kim Pegula’s life took an unexpected turn. Her adoption during her early years by an American family had a significant influence on her daughter Jessica Pegula. Living and growing up in America, Kim undertook a self-exploration path, embracing her American identity and her Korean heritage. Referring to this, Jessica Pegula recently said, “My mom was adopted from South Korea. So we didn’t have a lot of cultural background because she was adopted.”

Defying all odds, Kim grew up to be a successful businesswoman and is currently the principal owner of the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. “As she became more successful, and I became more successful in the tennis world, we started to realize how much that meant to Asian Americans or Asians in general and how they really got behind us,” Pegula added.

Like her mother, the World No. 1 doubles player also gained her share of success in tennis. “It really supported us, and that’s something that I think, especially in tennis, I think you get more support here in another country because there are so many sports here in America,” she further explained.

Also read: Jessica Pegula Gets Brutally Real About Her Career After Firing Coach of 4 Years – ‘Keep Things Fresh’

Jessica Pegula is always vocal about her mother’s contribution and support to her family. Last year, she shared her thoughts on how her mother is an inspiration and the reason behind her father’s success.

Pegula’s appreciation for her mother’s positivity

In 2023, Jessica Pegula’s mother suffered a cardiac arrest. During her recovery process, Pegula shared her insights on how Kim Pegula is the pillar of strength in her family. “She was the woman behind my dad’s success, and my dad would happily admit that,” said the 30-year-old tennis player. Further emphasizing the positive energy that Kim brought into her professional career, she said, “She was the shift in culture, positivity, and the heartbeat of many of the employees.”

Jessica stays rooted in the principles her family instilled in her as she advances in her profession. With every triumph, she remembers her mother in particular, as well as the hardships and sacrifices made by her family members.

Read more: Miami Open: Jessica Pegula Leads the Charge to Highlight Tournament’s Major ‘Hot and Humid’ Issue