The US's most decorated skier admits she was battling depression during her Olympic debut. (Mitchell Gunn)

Lindsey Vonn battles depression

Published On December 15, 2012 | By Jill Saftel

In an interview with People Magazine, 28-year-old Olympic skiing star Lindsey Vonn admitted she’s battled depression for the last decade, beginning when she made her Olympic debut at 18-years-old in 2002.

“Everything about my life seemed so perfect to people,” Vonn told People. “But I struggle like everyone else.”

Vonn was dealing with her parents’ marital problems in 2002, and has dealt with her own marital problems and filed for divorce in 2011. Lindsey’s marriage to Thomas Vonn, her former manager and coach, led to an estranged relationship with her father. After not speaking to him for six years, she received medical treatment for depression in 2008 and has since reconciled with her father.

“I couldn’t get out of bed anymore,” Vonn explained. “I felt hopeless, empty, like a zombie.

“Everyone knows marriage is tough. But it just wasn’t working, and it was making me miserable. Nothing bad happened, but there was just unhappiness. That’s the only way I can even describe it — unhappy. Divorce doesn’t fit my cookie-cutter image. But I got to the point where I said, ‘I don’t care if I ever win another race; I just can’t live like this.’”

Now, Vonn says all the parts of her life are finally in sync.

Vonn picked up her 57th World Cup win just a week ago on Dec. 8 in Switzerland.

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About The Author

Jill studies journalism at Northeastern University, covers Hockey East for College Hockey News and is the sports editor for The Huntington News. You can follow her on Twitter at @jillsaftel, just don't ask her to choose between hockey and baseball, it's impossible.