Diana Nyad accomplished a historic performance a decade ago, confirming her reputation as one of the world’s most outstanding marathon swimmers.

The new Netflix film Nyad, starring Annette Bening in the title role, recreates the true story of a swimmer’s fascination with the “Mount Everest” of ocean swims, the 110-mile journey from Cuba to Key West, Florida, after reaching the age of 60.

Nyad, directed by Free Solo Oscar winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin and costarring Jodie Foster, is in cinemas and accessible to stream on Netflix. Julia Cox, a screenwriter, adapted it from Nyad’s biography. Continue reading to learn about the incredible true story of the woman who inspired it.

Who Is Diana Nyad?

Nyad was born in New York City, but her family relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shortly after her mother’s second husband adopted her. Her swimming career began as a youngster under former Olympian Jack Nelson, who trained her all the way to becoming a Florida state champion in backstroke events.

Nyad enrolled in a Comparative Literature Ph.D. program at New York University in 1973 after graduating from Lake Forest College in Illinois with a degree in English and French. Her marathon swimming career flourished during the 1970s, giving her national prominence with appearances on Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. She subsequently moved on to a career in sports journalism, and her work has appeared in print publications, morning news broadcasts, and public radio.

Nyad, an out lesbian, now lives in Los Angeles. Nyad told Out in October that she is “firmly on the side of inclusion… We are all sisters and siblings under the blue sky, and we should all have equal opportunities to play the sports we choose, the sports we love,” after initially stating that trans women athletes should be celebrated but not compete with cisgender women in elite sports.

Is Diana Nyad Still Alive?

Those who have seen Nyad’s larger-than-life adventures through the lens of Hollywood exaggeration have this question on their lips.

Nyad is still alive and well at the age of 74, and her impact extends far beyond the wake of her great swims. The Netflix documentary Nyad highlights not just her aquatic feats but also her embodiment of perseverance and unwavering will.

Nyad, a native of New York City who honed her swimming skills in Florida’s competitive waters, shattered records and expectations with the same stroke.

She became a Florida state champion under Olympian Jack Nelson’s tutelage before transitioning into a storied career in sports writing.

Her voice echoed off from the pages of newspapers and reverberated across morning newscasts and public radio frequencies.

Where is Diana Nyad Now?

Diana Nyad, the famed marathon swimmer, is still quite active and involved in many different activities. She continues to share her passion for swimming on Instagram, stressing the sport’s joys and benefits.

Aside from her continuous participation in open water swims, Nyad has written four books, each of which delves into a different aspect of her life and experiences. Among these novels are “Other Shores” (1978), “The Boss of Me: The Keyshawn Johnson Story” (1999), “Find a Way” (2015), and “The Swimmer: The Diana Nyad Story” (2020).

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Notably, she penned a guest editorial for The New York Times in August, giving insights into the unusual experience of swimming in 100-degree water.

Diana Nyad’s post-swimming experience showcases her numerous talents, including her ability to write and maintain her love of the water.