Mary Ruth Joyner: Flo Jo’s Daughter, Who Auditioned for America’s Got Talent and Sang the 2012 Olympic Trials Anthem
When you’re the child of two legendary athletes, the world tends to watch you closely.
For Mary Ruth Joyner, daughter of Olympic legends Florence Griffith and Al Joyner, many assumed she’d chase records on the track, just like her parents. But she chose a different path: music.
Let’s take a closer look at the life of Mary Ruth Joyner, from her time on America’s Got Talent to keeping her mother’s legacy alive, all while creating her own.
Early Life
Mary Ruth Joyner was born on November 15, 1990, into a family whose footprints had changed sports forever.
Her mother, Florence Griffith-Joyner, known globally as Flo Jo, had blazed through history to become the fastest recorded woman. Her father, Al Joyner, had soared to Olympic glory with a gold medal in the triple jump at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
But sometimes, life writes chapters we never expect. In September 1998, Flo Jo passed away from an epileptic seizure, leaving a seven-year-old Mary. As the world mourned the loss of a legend, a little girl mourned the loss of her mom.
While many naturally wondered if Mary would follow in her parents’ footsteps, she found her path through music.
By age three, Mary was already learning the piano; by nine, she had picked up the violin—all by ear. Throughout high school, she participated in choir and talent shows, further refining her singing and performance skills.
Education and Music Career
After high school, Mary Ruth Joyner followed her heart to college. She studied music and vocal jazz at Santa Monica College for two years before transferring to UCLA, where she majored in mathematics and statistics.
Her big break came in 2012 when she auditioned for America’s Got Talent. With millions watching, she sang “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles and earned a unanimous “yes” to move on to the next round.
Though she didn’t make it past the Vegas round, that moment on national TV helped put her name out there as more than just Flo Jo’s daughter.
Instead of letting that early exit discourage her, Mary Ruth pushed harder. She went on to release several singles, including “Hold,” “Secret Desire,” and “Heart Pain.” Her music is a mix of pop, soul, and R&B.
Fun fact: Mary was invited to sing the 2012 US Olympic Trials national anthem.
However, perhaps her most personal project came in 2020, when she stepped behind the camera as producer and creative director for “Flo Jo: The Untold Story.”
This documentary explored her mother’s life and career, making sure new generations would know about her as the fastest woman in history but as a mother, a dreamer, and an inspiration.
Carrying on Flo Jo’s Legacy: Flo Jo Forever
Mary Ruth Joyner created “Flo Jo Forever” to honor her mother. The charity focuses on three main things: helping young women believe in themselves, supporting kids in sports, and teaching people about epilepsy—the condition that took her mom too soon.
Through this work, Mary Ruth has found a beautiful way to keep her mother’s legacy alive as a legendary athlete who made the world better.
Personal Life and Family
While Mary Ruth Joyner shares her music with the world, she keeps her family life more private. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Randall, and their son, Trystan Cole. Like many working parents, she juggles the demands of her music career with family time.
What Is Mary Ruth Joyner’s Net Worth?
Online reports put Mary Ruth Joyner’s net worth around $950,000, and it’s no surprise when you consider the wide range of things she’s involved in.
Her music career is a significant source of her income. She may not be a household name like her mother, Flo Jo, was in track and field, but she’s steadily releasing singles and performing live.
Mary Ruth also produced her mom’s documentary, which likely significantly boosted her earnings. Beyond music and producing, Mary Ruth has been a gymnastics instructor at Brown’s Gymnastics since 2015.
FAQs
What Happened to Mary Ruth Joyner After America’s Got Talent?
Mary Ruth Joyner kept making music, releasing several songs, including her latest, “Tides and Waves,” in February 2023. These days, you can find her teaching young gymnasts at Brown’s Gymnastics.
Is Flo Jo’s Daughter an Athlete?
Though Mary Ruth tried gymnastics and diving growing up, she found her true calling in music instead of athletics. But she didn’t altogether leave sports behind. She’s been teaching gymnastics at a Las Vegas gymnastics gym since 2015.
Is Mary Ruth Joyner’s Father Still Alive?
Mary Ruth Joyner’s father, Frederick “Al” Joyner, is still alive. Now 64 years old, he continues to be a big part of her life.
How Did Mary Ruth Joyner’s Mother Die?
Florence Griffith Joyner died in her sleep due to an epileptic seizure at her home in Mission Viejo, California. She was just 38 years old. The official report revealed a congenital abnormality of blood vessels in her brain.
Despite persistent allegations of performance-enhancing drug use, Flo Jo never failed a drug test throughout her career, even after her death.
Final Thoughts
Growing up as the daughter of two Olympic athletes could have placed an enormous weight of expectation on Mary Ruth Joyner. Instead, she carved out a path that was uniquely hers.
She hadn’t stepped away from her family’s greatness in choosing music. It simply continued their courage to push boundaries and chase dreams.
Her story carries a powerful message for anyone living in the shadow of remarkable predecessors: your heritage is not a template for your future but a foundation to build upon.
So, follow your passion and find your way to leave a mark in this world. Let the legacy of those who came before you inspire, but not define, who you are.
