Background
Curtis was born in San Francisco, California, and was coached by Charlie Sava as a member of the San Francisco Crystal Plunge swimming club
Curtis was born in San Francisco, California, and was coached by Charlie Sava as a member of the San Francisco Crystal Plunge swimming club
University of California, Berkeley.
In 1944, at age 18, she became the first woman, as well as the first swimmer, to receive the coveted, recognizing her as the outstanding American amateur athlete of the year. Curtis competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, England, winning the gold medal in the women"s 400-meter freestyle. In addition to her gold medal wins, she also received the silver medal for her second-place finish in the women"s 100-meter freestyle.
During her career she set four world and 18 United States. records.
She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1966, and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. Curtis died at her home in San Rafael, California on June 26, 2012.
She was 86 years old.