Suni Lee's Parents: 5 Untold Sacrifices And Their Emotional Journey To Paris 2024

The journey of Olympic Gold Medalist Sunisa "Suni" Lee is not just a story of athletic triumph, but a powerful testament to the unwavering support and immense sacrifices of her parents, Yeev Thoj and John Lee. As of December 2025, their family narrative continues to inspire, especially as Suni mounts her comeback trail toward the 2024 Paris Olympics, a path recently complicated by personal health battles.

The Lees' story is deeply rooted in the Hmong-American refugee experience, where the pursuit of the American Dream fueled an extraordinary commitment to their daughter's career. From building makeshift equipment in their backyard to navigating life-altering accidents and recent health challenges, their dedication provides the emotional bedrock for one of gymnastics' most captivating stars.

The Complete Biography of Suni Lee's Parents: Yeev Thoj and John Lee

The foundation of Suni Lee’s success lies with her dedicated parents, Yeev Thoj and John Lee, whose lives began far from the bright lights of the Olympic stage.

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• Mother: Yeev Thoj
• Father/Step-Father: John Lee (Houa John Lee)
• Origin: Both parents are Hmong-American, with their families having fled Laos as refugees, eventually settling in St. Paul, Minnesota, which remains their hometown.
• Family Structure: They are parents to six children in a blended family. Suni Lee was born Sunisa Phabsomphou but began using her step-father's surname, Lee, as a teenager.
• The Hmong-American Legacy: Suni Lee is the first-ever Hmong American Olympic gymnast, a title that carries immense cultural significance for the Hmong community worldwide.
• The 2019 Accident: John Lee suffered a life-altering accident in 2019 when he fell from a ladder, resulting in partial paralysis and leaving him wheelchair-bound. This event occurred just days before Suni competed at the 2019 U.S. National Championships.
• Current Role: Both parents remain Suni’s most steadfast supporters, frequently speaking about her journey and their excitement for her bid for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Unbreakable Spirit: John Lee's Sacrifice and the 2019 Accident

The most profound chapter in the Lee family’s story involves John Lee's devotion and subsequent accident. Long before Suni became an Olympic champion, she trained on a wooden balance beam her father built for her in their backyard. This tangible act of sacrifice exemplified the family's commitment, especially since the Hmong culture often places a stigma on non-traditional careers like professional sports, favoring professions like doctor or lawyer.

In August 2019, tragedy struck. John Lee fell from a ladder, suffering a spinal cord injury that left him partially paralyzed and requiring the use of a wheelchair. The timing was devastating, happening right before Suni was set to compete at the U.S. National Championships.

Despite the immense emotional toll, John Lee insisted his daughter compete. Suni went on to win a silver medal in the all-around and gold on the uneven bars, dedicating her performance to her father. This moment forged a powerful connection between the two, with John's tenacity in recovery becoming a model for Suni's own athletic perseverance.

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During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which took place in 2021, John Lee's emotional call-in to the Today Show after Suni won the all-around gold medal became a viral moment. He told her, "We both worked for this. He sacrificed everything to put me in gymnastics. Both my parents really have." His words highlighted the shared nature of her victory, a culmination of decades of collective effort and sacrifice.

Navigating New Challenges: The Road to the 2024 Paris Olympics

As Suni Lee prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the family's strength is once again being tested by new, significant challenges. The journey back to elite status has been fraught with difficulties, including Suni’s own private health battles.

In an exclusive interview as recently as July 2024, Suni Lee's family disclosed the emotional reaction to her performance following her fight against two kidney diseases. This fresh information reveals the intense pressure and adversity the family has been quietly managing while Suni pursued her NCAA career at Auburn University and her elite comeback.

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Yeev Thoj and John Lee have been vocal about their excitement and support for her 2024 Olympic bid, which they view as a potential defense of her all-around title. Their continued public support, even as their daughter faces severe health issues, underscores the Hmong cultural values of family, mutual support, and perseverance that are central to their lives.

The fact that Suni Lee's parents are now speaking out about the 2024 journey and the family's struggles, including the kidney disease, demonstrates their commitment to transparency and their role as pillars of strength. They have transformed their refugee past and personal tragedies into a powerful narrative of hope and resilience for the entire Hmong community and beyond.

The Enduring Legacy of the Hmong-American Dream

The story of Suni Lee’s parents is more than a footnote in her career; it is the entire prologue. Their journey from Laos refugees to the proud parents of an Olympic champion in St. Paul, Minnesota, embodies the ultimate Hmong-American dream.

They instilled in Suni the values of hard work and dedication, which allowed her to overcome not only the typical rigors of elite gymnastics but also the emotional weight of her father’s paralysis and her own health crises. Every flip, twist, and medal earned by Suni Lee is a reflection of the sacrifices made by Yeev Thoj and John Lee, proving that the most valuable gold medal is the love and support of family.