If you watched Sunisa "Suni" Lee clinch the Olympic all-around gold in Tokyo, you probably saw the viral video of a crowd in Minnesota absolutely losing their minds. That wasn't just a group of random fans. That was her community—the Hmong community—and at the center of it were Sunisa Lee parents, John Lee and Yeev Thoj.
Honestly, their story is basically the definition of the American Dream, but without the shiny, effortless veneer usually portrayed in movies. It’s grittier. It’s about being a refugee, dealing with sudden paralysis, and a wooden beam built in a backyard because professional equipment was too expensive.
The Hmong Heritage and a Refugee Journey
To understand the Lee family, you've got to look back at Laos. Both John Lee and Yeev Thoj were children when their families fled the country following the Vietnam War. They weren't just moving for a better job; they were refugees escaping a "Secret War" where the Hmong people fought alongside the U.S. and faced brutal persecution afterward.
They eventually settled in St. Paul, Minnesota. It’s a city with one of the largest Hmong populations in the world, and it’s where Suni was born in 2003.
One thing that kinda gets lost in the headlines is the family structure. Suni’s biological father isn't in the picture. Her mom, Yeev, met John Lee when Suni was just two years old. John had two kids from a previous marriage (Jonah and Shyenne), and Yeev had Suni. They never legally married, but in the Hmong tradition and in every way that matters, they became a unit. John raised Suni as his own.
Why Suni Took the Name "Lee"
You might notice her birth name was Sunisa Phabsomphou. That’s her biological mother's surname. But as she got older, Suni made a conscious choice. She wanted to be a Lee.
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It wasn't some legal formality forced on her. She told her mom she wanted to share the last name of the man who was actually doing the work of being a father. By the time she hit the international gymnastics stage as a teenager, she was Sunisa Lee.
The Backyard Beam and Early Sacrifices
Gymnastics is a rich kid's sport. Let’s be real. Between the coaching fees, the travel, and the leotards that cost more than a car payment, it’s a massive financial drain.
John and Yeev weren't wealthy. When Suni was six and obsessed with flipping off the couch, they didn't have the cash for a professional-grade balance beam. So, John went to the hardware store. He bought some timber and built a wooden beam in the backyard.
He’d stand back there for hours, spotting her and cheering her on. While other elite gymnasts were training in state-of-the-art facilities with foam pits, the future Olympic champion was finding her footing on a piece of wood her dad cobbled together.
The 2019 Accident That Changed Everything
In August 2019, the family’s world cracked. Just days before Suni was supposed to leave for the U.S. National Championships—a huge stepping stone for the Olympics—John fell while helping a neighbor trim a tree.
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He fell from a ladder. The impact broke his back and left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Suni almost didn't go to the meet. She wanted to stay by his side in the hospital. But John, even from a hospital bed, told her she had to go. He FaceTime'd her before her events, giving her the same "pep talks" he used to give her in the backyard.
"I just wanted to do the best I could for my dad because I knew he was watching," Suni said after that meet.
She ended up taking silver in the all-around, second only to Simone Biles. It was the moment the world realized she was a legitimate threat for gold, and she did it while her father was still in the ICU.
A Blended, Supportive Household
The Lee household is big. Really big. It’s a mix of "yours, mine, and ours" that actually works.
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- The Siblings: Jonah, Shyenne, Evionn, Lucky, and Noah.
- The Dynamic: It’s a house where traditional Hmong values—like staying close to home and respecting elders—mix with the high-pressure world of elite athletics.
John has often said he initially struggled with Suni traveling so much. In Hmong culture, daughters often stay close to home until they’re married. But he saw her talent and her drive, and he let go of those traditional expectations so she could fly.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that the Lees are just "supportive parents." They were actually the primary sponsors of her career. In the Hmong community, when one person succeeds, the community chips in. For years, local Hmong businesses and family members helped fund Suni’s training.
They didn't have corporate sponsors until she was already a household name. This was a grassroots, family-funded operation from day one.
Actionable Insights for Supporting Young Athletes:
- Focus on the "Backyard" Mentality: You don't need the most expensive gear to start. Like John’s wooden beam, the best equipment is the support and presence of a parent.
- Acknowledge Mental Resilience: Suni’s ability to compete while her father was in the hospital is a case study in "compartmentalization." Teaching kids how to focus despite external stress is a life skill.
- Respect the "Village": If you're a parent of a talented kid, don't be afraid to lean on your community. The Lees wouldn't have made it to Tokyo without the Saint Paul Hmong community behind them.
Today, John is still in recovery, and he’s often seen at Suni's meets in his wheelchair, usually wearing a "Suni's Dad" shirt. He’s regained some mobility in his arms, but more importantly, he’s remained the emotional anchor for a daughter who is now a global icon.
When you see Sunisa Lee on the podium, you aren't just seeing an athlete. You're seeing the result of a refugee family's grit, a stepfather's unconditional love, and a mother's relentless work ethic.
Next Steps for You
If you want to understand the cultural context of the Lee family better, research the history of the Hmong people in the United States and their settlement in the Midwest. You can also look into the Sunisa Lee Foundation, which aims to support young gymnasts from underprivileged backgrounds.