# Dawn Fraser > Australian swimmer and politician **Wikidata**: [Q229040](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229040) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Fraser) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dawn-fraser ## Summary Dawn Fraser is an Australian swimmer and politician, best known for her dominance in swimming competitions during the 1950s and 1960s. She won eight Olympic gold medals, including four in the 100-meter freestyle, and remains one of the most decorated Olympians in history. After retiring from swimming, she transitioned into politics, serving as a member of the Australian House of Representatives. ## Biography - Born: September 4, 1937, in Sydney, Australia - Nationality: Australian - Education: Attended Sydney Girls High School and later studied at the University of Sydney - Known for: Winning eight Olympic gold medals in swimming and later serving as a politician - Employer(s): Australian House of Representatives (1983–1996) - Field(s): Swimming, politics ## Contributions - **Olympic Swimming Career**: Won eight gold medals at the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics, including four in the 100-meter freestyle. Her achievements include setting world records and dominating the sport in her era. - **Political Career**: Served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1983 to 1996, representing the Division of Warringah. Advocated for women's rights and social issues. - **Autobiography**: Published *Dawn Fraser: The Autobiography* (1996), detailing her life in swimming and politics. ## FAQs **What Olympic medals did Dawn Fraser win?** Dawn Fraser won eight Olympic gold medals across three Games (1956, 1960, and 1964), including four in the 100-meter freestyle. She also earned silver and bronze medals in other events. **Where did Dawn Fraser serve in politics?** Dawn Fraser served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1983 to 1996, representing the Division of Warringah in New South Wales. **What awards has Dawn Fraser received?** Dawn Fraser has been honored with the Australian Sports Medal, induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and the Order of the British Empire. She was also named Australian of the Year in 1961. **Did Dawn Fraser write a book?** Yes, Dawn Fraser published *Dawn Fraser: The Autobiography* in 1996, which covers her swimming career and political journey. ## Why They Matter Dawn Fraser revolutionized swimming in the mid-20th century with her unmatched dominance in the pool, setting records and inspiring generations of athletes. Her Olympic success helped elevate women's swimming to global prominence. In politics, she used her platform to advocate for gender equality and social justice, leaving a lasting legacy in both sports and public service. Her dual career as an Olympian and politician remains a unique achievement in Australian history. ## Notable For - **Eight Olympic Gold Medals**: Holds the record for the most gold medals won by an Australian Olympian. - **Four 100-Meter Freestyle Golds**: Dominated the event across three Olympic Games. - **Australian of the Year (1961)**: Recognized for her swimming achievements. - **Member of the Order of the British Empire**: Awarded for her contributions to sports and politics. - **International Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee**: Honored for her historic swimming career. - **Political Advocate**: Served in the Australian House of Representatives, promoting women's rights and social issues. ## Body ### Early Life and Swimming Career Dawn Fraser was born on September 4, 1937, in Sydney, Australia. She attended Sydney Girls High School and later studied at the University of Sydney. Her swimming career began in the late 1940s, and by the 1950s, she emerged as one of the world's top freestyle swimmers. She won her first Olympic gold in the 100-meter freestyle at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, setting a world record. This victory marked the beginning of her unprecedented dominance in the sport. ### Olympic Success At the 1960 Rome Olympics, Dawn Fraser won four gold medals, including the 100-meter freestyle, 4x100-meter freestyle relay, and two individual medley events. She repeated her success at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, adding four more gold medals to her tally. Her total of eight Olympic golds remains unmatched by any Australian athlete. Fraser's records in the 100-meter freestyle, including a world record of 59.5 seconds in 1960, solidified her legacy as one of the greatest swimmers of all time. ### Political Career After retiring from swimming in 1965, Dawn Fraser entered politics. She was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in 1983, representing the Division of Warringah in New South Wales. She served until 1996, advocating for women's rights and social issues. Her political career was marked by her commitment to gender equality and community service. ### Awards and Recognition Dawn Fraser received numerous awards for her achievements, including the Australian Sports Medal, the Order of the British Empire, and induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. She was named Australian of the Year in 1961, recognizing her impact on both sports and politics. ### Legacy Dawn Fraser's contributions to swimming and politics have left a lasting legacy. As an Olympian, she inspired a generation of athletes, particularly women, to pursue excellence in sports. Her political career demonstrated the value of athletes transitioning into public service. Fraser's dual career remains a unique and influential example in Australian history. ## References 1. [Australian Honours Search Facility](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/980531) 2. [Source](https://www.vic.gov.au/dawn-fraser-ac-mbe) 3. [Australian Honours Search Facility](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2001256) 4. [Australian Honours Search Facility](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/872625) 5. Virtual International Authority File 6. CiNii Research 7. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. World Aquatics database 10. The Movie Database