Shirley Muldowney Net Worth, Age, Height, Husband & Career
Shirley Muldowney is a pioneering figure in the world of drag racing, often recognized as the “First Lady of Drag Racing”. Her incredible achievements in drag racing assure her a great place in history as a woman in racing, which men and women racers admire equally.
With success in drag racing, Shirley Muldowney net worth also increased. Her remarkable achievements, net worth and private life opportunities reveal her as more than just a drag racer.
In this article, we will delve deeply into her life, exploring her net worth, career achievements, personal life and challenges she faced on the way to success.
Early Life and Racing Career
Shirley Muldowney was born in Burlington, Vermont on June 19, 1940, and raised in Schenectady, New York. From a very young age, she had a strong passion for motor racing. She started a career in street racing as a teenager before becoming a professional racer in the 1960s.
She was a pioneering individual, having been granted a Top Fuel licence by NHRA (National Hot Rod Association ) Shirley took a quantum leap in predominantly male sport.
She holds three NHRA Top Fuel Championships which she won during the periods of 1977, 1980, and 1982. This demonstrates her exceptional motor-racing abilities, solidifying her position as a renowned lady in car racing.
What is Shirley Muldowney’s Estimated Net Worth in 2024?
Shirley Muldowney net worth is estimated at around $10 million in 2024. She accumulated this wealth from various sources including her career in racing, public endorsements and social media appearances.
There is no public record of the earnings of Shirley Muldowney. However, based on her total net worth of $10 million, we can assume her net income from her professional career and several other sources. Here is a rough guess of her take-home earnings:
| Total Net Worth: $10 million | ||
| Per Day | Per Month | Per Year |
| $1388 | $41,666 | $500,000 |
These figures are provided based on mere assumptions and may vary from the total earnings she makes actually.
A Glimpse into Shirley Muldowney’s Married Life
Shirley Muldowney married twice, but none of them lasted for long. She first married her high school boyfriend, Jack Muldowney, when she was only 16 years old. Jack appeared to be a very supportive husband. He was a mechanic by profession.
Jack played a very important role in shaping her career in motor racing. He helped her improve and tune her racing to become a professional racer. As both the partners were working to achieve greatness, their marriage ended in divorce in 1982, after Shirley started soaring in her career.
After getting divorced from Jack, she married Connie Kalitta, who was a professional drag racer. Kalitta had a popular name in drag racing. They were recognized as a powerful duo in the realm of drag racing.
Despite a strong professional alliance, they couldn’t cooperate in personal relationship and eventually, they parted ways in 2006.
Biography of Shirley Muldowney
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Shirley Ann Roque Muldowney |
| Date of Birth | June 19, 1940 |
| Place of Birth | Burlington, Vermont, USA |
| Age | 84 years |
| Height | 5 feet, 6 inches |
| Weight | 62 Kg |
| Occupation | American Professional Drag Racer |
| Years Active | 1958–2003 |
| Top Fuel Titles | 3 (1977, 1980, 1982) |
| Parents | Belgium Benedict Roque, Mae Roqu |
| Spouse(s) | Jack Muldowney (divorced), Connie Kalitta (divorced) |
| Children | John Muldowney Jr. |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
Shirley Muldowney’s Accident
Shirley faced a very tragic moment in her life in the year 1984, when she had a serious accident at a car racing event, held in Montreal, Canada. It happened due to a burst in the front tyre of her dragster while driving at a speed of 250 miles per hour.
Her car crashed badly during the accident, putting her life under threat. With broken bones and severe burns, she went through several surgeries, taking 8 months to recover from these injuries.
Her racing career seemed almost to have ended with this crash. However, due to her tenacity and strong willpower, she returned to racing once again in 1986. This unbelievable comeback proved she was a strong woman, making her a role model for all people out there.
Shirley Muldowney’s Social Media Presence
Unlike other athletes, Shirley is not very active on her social media. However, her social profiles are available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Her social media links are given below:
| Social Media Platform | User Name | Followers |
| Shirley Muldowney | 148.2K | |
| @shirley_muldowney_official | 11.5K | |
| @ShirlMoulowney | 1.4K |
Shirley Muldowney’s Professional Achievements
During her career as a professional drag racer, she achieved several awards Some of them are:
| Championship Award | Year |
| NHRA First Woman Top Fuel License | 1973 |
| Three-time NHRA Top Fuel World Championships | 1977, 1980, 1982 |
| 18 NHRA national event victories | Not specified |
These achievements are highly praised, as she achieved these credits after facing a lot of challenges in male-dominated sport. Besides winning several championships, her stubborn driving skills earned her worldwide admiration and respect.
Personal Life and Challenges
Besides her professional career, Shirley faced many challenges in her personal life. None of her two marriages were successful. Additionally, as a woman in drag racing, she faced gender discrimination and had to fight against societal stereotypes.
Despite all this, she did not lose her nerve and stood like a rock against these obstacles. Eventually, through her racing abilities and determination, she made it obvious that gender is no barrier to success.
Legacy and Influence
Shirley Muldowney has left an undeniable influence on the world of drag racing sport. She cracked gender barriers, proving that women do have the potential to compete and excel in the drag racing sport. Her exemplary achievements inspired young and aspiring women.
She also wrote an autobiography named, Shirley Muldowney’s Tales from the Track. This autobiography provides insights into her career and the challenges she encountered on her way to success.
In 2004, Shirley had the honours of being welcomed at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, where she was assured that her legacy would never be forgotten.
Conclusion
Shirley Muldowney net worth of $10 million is evidence of her success and perseverance throughout her career. She took a pioneering step in drag racing and paved the way for other women to pursue a career in motor racing. Despite having a serious accident and several other challenges, she didn’t step back and continued achieving her goals. Her legendary drag racing abilities and her role in breaking the gender barrier will always be remembered among fans.
