Born: 1939 (Hampstead, London)
Biography:
Judith Brenda Grinham MBE, also known as Judith Roe and previously as Judith Rowley, was born on March 5, 1939, in the London suburb of Hampstead. She grew up in Neasden and attended the Convent of Jesus & Mary in Harlesden, London NW10. From a young age, Grinham showed great talent and passion for swimming. She embarked on a remarkable swimming career, becoming one of the most successful British female swimmers of her time.
Grinham’s breakthrough came in the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia. At just seventeen years old, she competed in the 100-meter backstroke event, where she won the gold medal and set a new world record with a time of 1:12.9. By doing so, she became the first Briton to win an Olympic swimming gold medal since Lucy Morton’s victory in 1924. Grinham’s achievement not only secured her a place in history but also brought attention to women’s swimming in Britain.
Following her Olympic success, Grinham continued to excel in international competitions. In the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, she won the 100-meter backstroke event with a time of 1:11.9. She also participated in the 4×100-meter medley relay event, where the British team emerged victorious. Later that year, at the European Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Grinham won gold medals in both the 100-meter backstroke individual event and the 4×100-meter medley relay. These victories made her the first woman in any sport to hold Olympic, Commonwealth, and European gold medals simultaneously.
Grinham’s swimming career was marked by numerous accolades and achievements. She won the ASA National Championship 110 yards freestyle title in 1958, as well as the 220 yards freestyle title in 1957. Additionally, she won the 110 yards backstroke title three times, in 1955, 1956, and 1958. Her consistent success and dominance in the swimming world contributed to her being elected as Great Britain’s Sportswoman of the Year in both 1956 and 1958.
In 1959, Grinham retired from competitive swimming. Although she briefly appeared as a P.T. instructor in the film Operation Bullshine, her focus shifted to other aspects of her life. Grinham got married to Pat Rowley in 1960 and had two children, Keith (born in June 1961) and Alison (born in December 1962). However, the couple eventually divorced, and Grinham remarried Michael Roe in 1979. As a result of her remarriage, she acquired four stepchildren and later became a proud grandmother to five grandchildren and step-grandchildren.
Grinham’s contributions to swimming and her impact on the sport were recognized when she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1981. In 2007, fifty years after her gold medal performance in Melbourne, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. This prestigious honor celebrated not only her achievements in swimming but also her enduring dedication and commitment to the sport throughout her life.
With her remarkable swimming career, Grinham left an indelible mark on British women’s sports history. Her groundbreaking achievements paved the way for future generations of female swimmers, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential. As the first British woman in over three decades to win an Olympic swimming gold medal, Grinham’s legacy continues to resonate and inspire young athletes today.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medalist
– Commonwealth Games gold medalist
– European Championships gold medalist
– Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honour Swimmer
– Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)