Age, Biography and Wiki

Mal Whitfield (Malvin Greston Whitfield) was born on 11 October, 1924 in Bay City, Texas, U.S., is a Tuskegee Airman and US Olympic athlete 1924–2015). Discover Mal Whitfield's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 91 years old?

Popular As Malvin Greston Whitfield
Occupation N/A
Age 91 years old
Zodiac Sign Libra
Born 11 October 1924
Birthday 11 October
Birthplace Bay City, Texas, U.S.
Date of death 19 November, 2015
Died Place Washington, D.C., U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 11 October. He is a member of famous athlete with the age 91 years old group.

Mal Whitfield Height, Weight & Measurements

At 91 years old, Mal Whitfield height is 6 ft and Weight 168 lb.

Physical Status
Height 6 ft
Weight 168 lb
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Mal Whitfield Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Mal Whitfield worth at the age of 91 years old? Mal Whitfield’s income source is mostly from being a successful athlete. He is from United States. We have estimated Mal Whitfield's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income athlete

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Timeline

1924

Malvin Greston Whitfield (October 11, 1924 – November 19, 2015) was an American athlete, goodwill ambassador, and airman.

1932

He sneaked into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during the 1932 Summer Olympic Games, where he watched Eddie Tolan defeat Ralph Metcalfe in the 100 meter race, an event that spurred his own Olympic goals.

1943

Whitfield joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1943 as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

After World War II, he remained in the military, but also enrolled at Ohio State University.

1948

Nicknamed "Marvelous Mal", he was the Olympic champion in the 800 meters at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics, and a member of the 1948 gold medal team in the 4 × 400 meters relay.

Overall, Whitfield was a five-time Olympic medalist (three gold, one silver, one bronze).

After his competitive career, he worked for 47 years as a coach, goodwill ambassador, as well as an athletic mentor in Africa on behalf of the United States Information Service.

Whitfield was born in Bay City, Texas.

He moved to the Watts district of Los Angeles when he was 4 years old.

At that age, his father died.

His mother died when he was 12, after which he was raised by his older sister.

Under the coaching of Larry Snyder, he won the NCAA title while at Ohio State in the 800 m in 1948 and 880 yd in 1949.

At the 1948 Olympics in London, Whitfield won the 800 m and was a member of the winning 4 × 400 m relay team.

1949

After leaving the university, he won the AAU title from 1949 to 1951 at 800 m, in 1953 and 1954 at 880 yd and in 1952 at 400 m. He also won the 800 m at the 1951 Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

1950

In the early 1950s, he also served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, flying 27 combat missions as a tail gunner.

He set a world record at 880 yd of 1:49.2 in 1950 and dropped it to 1:48.6 in 1952.

1952

He also earned a bronze medal in the 400 m. At the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, he repeated his 800 m victory.

He also earned a silver medal as a member of United States 4 × 400 m relay team.

1954

In 1954, Whitfield became the first black athlete to win the James E. Sullivan Award, given annually by the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States (AAU) to the outstanding amateur athlete in the country.

In 1954, Whitfield won the James E. Sullivan Award for amateur athletics.

1956

Whitfield narrowly missed making the 1956 Olympic team while a student at California State University, Los Angeles, and he retired from track competition shortly thereafter.

After graduating, he worked for the United States Department of State and the United States Information Service, conducting sports clinics in Africa.

In his 47 years in Africa, Whitfield trained and gave consultation to dozens of athletes who represented their countries as Olympians and All-Africa Games champions.

He coached in 20 countries and lived in Kenya, Uganda and Egypt.

Whitfield also arranged sports scholarships for over 5,000 African athletes to study in the United States.

During his career as a diplomat, he traveled to over 132 countries and played a key role in training and developing African athletes.

United States President Ronald Reagan wrote of him: "Whether flying combat missions over Korea, or winning gold medal after gold medal at the Olympics, or serving as an ambassador of goodwill among the young athletes of Africa, you have given your all. This country is proud of you, and grateful to you."

1974

Whitfield was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1974, and Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 1978.

Among track and field athletes, only Jesse Owens had been inducted before him.

Whitfield wrote the book Learning to Run, which was translated into French.

His memoir was published by his foundation and titled Beyond the Finish Line.

He was married to Nola Whitfield.

He was also the father of Nyna Konishi, Lonnie Whitfield, CNN anchor Fredricka Whitfield and accomplished high jumper Ed Wright.

1989

Shortly after his retirement from government service in 1989, Whitfield was invited to the Oval Office, where President George H. W. Bush recognized his service to the nation and the world.

In 1989 Whitfield founded the Mal Whitfield Foundation for the promotion of sports, academics, and culture.

The foundation has distributed 5,000 athletic scholarships.

2015

Whitfield died at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospice center in Washington, D.C. on the night of November 19, 2015, aged 91.

He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.