When Suni Lee stepped onto the mat at the Tokyo Olympics, she wasn't just carrying the weight of Team USA. Honestly, she was carrying the history of a people that most of the world—and even many Americans—had barely heard of. If you’ve ever wondered about the specifics of Suni Lee ethnicity, the answer is a lot more layered than a simple check-box on a census form. She is Hmong American.
It’s a distinction that matters deeply.
Basically, the Hmong are an indigenous ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. They don't have a country of their own. For Suni, being Hmong isn't just a fun fact for a broadcast bio; it is the literal foundation of her grit. Her family’s journey from the hills of Laos to the suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota, is a story of survival that makes a double-twisting double-layout look easy by comparison.
The Secret War and the Journey to Minnesota
To understand Suni’s roots, you kinda have to look back at the "Secret War" in Laos during the 1960s and 70s. While the Vietnam War was raging next door, the CIA recruited Hmong soldiers to fight against communist forces. It was a brutal, off-the-books conflict. When the U.S. pulled out in 1975, the Hmong were left in a terrifying position. Thousands had to flee through the jungle, often swimming across the Mekong River to reach refugee camps in Thailand.
Suni’s parents, Yeev Thoj and John Lee, were part of that exodus. They arrived in the United States as children, refugees with almost nothing.
They eventually settled in St. Paul, which has become something of a Hmong capital in the West. As of 2026, Minnesota remains home to one of the largest Hmong populations in the country, with over 95,000 Hmong residents calling the state home. It’s a tight-knit community where traditions like "khi tes"—the tying of white blessing strings around the wrist—are still very much alive. In fact, before Suni left for the Tokyo Games, her family held one of these ceremonies to protect her spirit and give her strength.
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A Different Kind of Family Structure
People often get a bit confused about Suni's last name. She was born Sunisa Phabsomphou. Her mother, Yeev, met John Lee when Suni was just two years old. Even though John and Yeev never officially married, John is the only father Suni has ever known. He’s the one who built her a makeshift balance beam in the backyard out of a wooden post because they couldn't afford the real deal.
As a teenager, she chose to change her last name to Lee. It was a tribute to the man who coached her, supported her, and famously told her to "do your best" right before he suffered a tragic accident that left him paralyzed in 2019.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Background
There’s a common misconception that "Hmong" is just another word for Laotian or Chinese. That’s not quite it. While Hmong people lived in those countries, they maintained a distinct language, culture, and social structure organized by clans.
- Language: Hmong is a tonal language. It sounds nothing like Mandarin or Lao.
- Culture: It’s traditionally an oral culture. Stories aren't always written down; they’re stitched into "paj ntaub" (story cloths) or passed down through songs.
- Spirituality: Many Hmong families, including Suni’s, practice Shamanism or a blend of traditional beliefs and Christianity.
When Suni won the Olympic all-around gold, she became the first Hmong American to ever compete in the Olympics, let alone win. It was a massive moment for a group that has long felt "invisible" in the American narrative.
The Pressure of Being "The One"
Imagine being 18 years old and realizing you are the face of an entire global diaspora. That’s a lot. In the Hmong community, the success of one person is often seen as the success of the whole clan. When Suni won, the celebrations in St. Paul weren't just about a gold medal. They were about validation.
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"We finally exist," was the general vibe on social media.
But it wasn't all easy. Suni has been open about the "imposter syndrome" and the pressure she felt. In 2023, she faced a massive health scare with an incurable kidney disease that nearly ended her career. During those dark months, she leaned heavily on her Hmong roots—the idea of "resilience" isn't just a Pinterest quote for her; it’s a family legacy. Her ancestors survived a literal genocide. She figured she could survive a flare-up.
Why St. Paul Matters
The Minneapolis-St. Paul area isn't just where she grew up; it's her support system. During the Tokyo Olympics, local Hmong businesses held watch parties that looked more like Super Bowl celebrations. The community even raised money to help her family cover travel costs and training fees early in her career.
This isn't the typical "country club" gymnastics story. Suni didn't come from a wealthy background. Her success was a collective effort of a community that saw her talent and decided to carry her.
Real Numbers: The Hmong American Presence
To put Suni's impact in perspective, let’s look at the data. The Hmong population in the U.S. is roughly 368,000, according to recent census estimates. While that might seem small compared to other groups, their concentration in specific areas like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Central California gives them a huge cultural footprint.
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| Region | Estimated Hmong Population |
|---|---|
| California | 115,000+ |
| Minnesota | 95,000 - 100,000 |
| Wisconsin | 60,000+ |
Suni is the bridge between the elders who remember the mountains of Laos and the Gen Z kids who are trying to figure out their place in America.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Suni's Journey
If you want to support Suni or learn more about the heritage that shaped her, here is how you can actually engage with the culture:
- Visit a Hmong Market: If you’re ever in St. Paul, go to Hmong Village or Hmongtown Marketplace. You’ll see the food, the clothes, and the community that raised a champion.
- Learn the History: Read The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang. It’s the definitive memoir on the Hmong refugee experience and will give you context that a 30-second NBC clip never could.
- Support Hmong Creators: Suni opened the door, but there are Hmong artists, writers, and athletes following behind her.
- Watch for the 2026/2027 Season: Suni is still active and continues to use her platform to highlight Hmong issues, including anti-Asian hate and the importance of representation in sports.
Suni Lee isn't just a gymnast who happens to be Asian. She is a Hmong woman whose entire athletic style—explosive, precarious, and incredibly tough—is a reflection of the people she represents. She’s not just flipping for herself; she’s flipping for a history that was almost erased.
Next time you see her on the uneven bars, look at her wrists. You might just see those white strings. They’re a reminder that no matter how high she flies, she knows exactly where she came from.