Shirley Muldowney Biography
Shirley Muldowney is an American auto racer who was born and brought up in Burlington, Vermont, United States of America. Muldowney is professionally known as “Cha Cha” and the “First Lady of Drag Racing” She was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to drive a Top Fuel dragster.
Muldowney won the NHRA Top Fuel championship in 1977, 1980, and 1982, becoming the first person to win two as well as three Top Fuel titles. She has won a total of 18 NHRA national events. She began street racing in the 1950s and married Jack Muldowney, who built her first dragster. She received her NHRA license in 1965 and began competing in Top Fuel events in 1973.
Muldowney was a pioneer in drag racing and faced sexism and discrimination throughout her career. She was often the only woman competing in Top Fuel events and was subjected to jeers and insults from spectators. However, she persevered and became one of the most successful drag racers of all time.
Muldowney retired from racing in 1984, but she has remained active in the sport as a television commentator and spokesperson. She is a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame.
10 Quick Facts About Shirley Muldowney
- Name: Shirley Ann Roque
- Age: 83 years old
- Birthday: 19 June
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Auto Racer
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Salary: Under Review
- Net worth: $1 Million
Shirley Muldowney Age
Muldowney is 83 years old. She was born on 19 June 1940, in Burlington, Vermont, United States. She celebrates her birthday on June 19 every year and her birth sign is Gemini.
Shirley Muldowney Height
Muldowney stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m).
Shirley Muldowney Weight
Muldowney weighs 71 kg (156 lbs).
Early Life and Education
Shirley Muldowney was born Shirley Roque on June 19, 1940, in Burlington, Vermont. She grew up in Schenectady, New York, with her father, Belgium Benedict, a taxicab driver and professional boxer, and mother, Mae, who worked in a laundry.
Muldowney was a tomboy who loved cars and racing from a young age. She began street racing in the 1950s and married Jack Muldowney, who built her first dragster. She received her NHRA license in 1965 and began competing in Top Fuel events in 1973.
Muldowney was a pioneer in drag racing and faced sexism and discrimination throughout her career. She was often the only woman competing in Top Fuel events and was subjected to jeers and insults from spectators. However, she persevered and became one of the most successful drag racers of all time.
Rise to Fame
Shirley Muldowney’s rise to fame began in the early 1970s, when she became the first woman to compete in Top Fuel dragster events. She quickly proved herself to be a talented driver and began to rack up wins.
In 1977, Muldowney became the first woman to win the NHRA Winston world points championship, the most prestigious title in drag racing. She went on to win the championship again in 1980 and 1982.
Muldowney’s success came at a time when women were still underrepresented in drag racing. She faced sexism and discrimination throughout her career, but she never gave up. She was a pioneer in the sport and helped to pave the way for other women racers.
Muldowney’s rise to fame was also due to her personality and charisma. She was a larger-than-life figure who was known for her sense of humor and her ability to connect with fans. She was also a savvy businesswoman who used her fame to promote her sponsors.
Shirley Muldowney Family, Parents
Muldowney was born to her parents Belgium Benedict Roque (Father) and Mae Roque (Mother) in Burlington. She belongs to the American nationality and white ethnicity.
Shirley Muldowney Siblings
Muldowney was born and raised by her parents in Vermont. Our efforts to find out more about her family came to no avail as no such information is publicly available. Thus, it is not known if she has any siblings. We will update this section once this information is available.
Shirley Muldowney Husband
Muldowney has been married twice. She was first married to Jack Muldowney from 1956 to 1972. She marred Jack when she was 16, and Jack was 19 years old, who built her first dragster. She then married Rahn Tobler from 1988 to 2006.
Shirley Muldowney Son
Muldowney and her first husband Jack Muldowney have one child together, a son named John Muldowney. John died of a blood clot on April 28, 2017, at the age of 59 in Springfield, Mo. John Muldowney was the only child of Shirley Muldowney and her first husband Jack.
Shirley Muldowney Net Worth
Muldowney has an estimated net worth of $1 million dollars as of 2023. This includes her Assets, Money, and Income. Her primary source of income is her career as an auto racer. Through her various sources of income, Shirley has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Shirley Muldowney Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Shirley Muldowney.
Shirley Muldowney Wiki
- Full Names: Shirley Ann Roque
- Popular As: “Cha Cha” and the “First Lady of Drag Racing”
- Gender: Female
- Occupation / Profession: Auto Racer
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Shirley Muldowney Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 83 years old
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini
- Date of Birth: June 19, 1940
- Place of Birth: Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Birthday: June 19
Shirley Muldowney Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m)
- Weight: 71 kg (156 lbs)
- Eye Color: Hazel
- Hair Color: Blonde
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Shirley Muldowney Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Belgium Benedict Roque
- Mother: Mae Roque
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Known
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Husband/Spouse: Jack Muldowney (1956–1972), Rahn Tobler (1988–2006)
- Dating / Boyfriend: Single
- Children: Sons (John Muldowney) Daughter(s) (None)
Shirley Muldowney Net worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $1 Million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Auto Racing
Shirley Muldowney House and Cars
- Place of living: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Shirley Muldowney Career
Shirley Muldowney began her career as a racer in the 1950s in Schenectady, New York. In 1958, she made her debut on the dragstrip of the Fonda Speedway. In 1965, she obtained her NHRA pro license.
In 1984, she had a crash that crushed her hands, pelvis, and legs and this made her undergo over six different surgeries and she was on therapy for 18 months. This crash made her inactive in the racing world, but she made a comeback in the late 1980s before she then retired in 2003.
Shirley Muldowney Drag Racing
Muldowney was the first woman of drag racing, a certifiably macho sport that entails placing a driver inside a specially constructed 20-plus-foot four-wheeled cage with an engine underneath.
Speeds can reach 250 miles an hour. Within the National Hot Rod Association’s Top Fuel classification in which Muldowney achieved most of her wins, the car’s engine is powered by nitromethane and is geared to burn out after a quarter-mile strip, the distance of a match. Her male competitors liked to assert the woman driver had an unfair advantage because of her weight, which hovered just above 100 pounds.
Buying and maintaining such vehicles is both expensive and risky, but more dangerous is the physical hazards that drag racing presents, and Muldowney came close to becoming a martyr for the sport in 1984 when she endured a horrible accident out on the track.
When the tube in one of her front tires snapped, it sent her into a tailspin, breaking several bones throughout her body. Undaunted, she returned to the sport two years later.
Shirley Muldowney and Connie Kalitta
In 1971, Muldowney met Connie Kalitta, a racer and race-car builder. It was the start of a tempestuous seven-year relationship which culminated in Muldowney winning the 1977 National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel championship after her last competitor of the day couldn’t start his car; by then she had switched over to the more risky Top Fuel division.
By 1983, Muldowney had won three National Hot Rod Association championships and 17 other national competitions. That same year, Heart Like a Wheel, a film biography of her life through 1977, debuted.
Actress Bonnie Bedelia received an Academy Award nomination for her performance; Beau Bridges played Connie Kalitta. Her rivals on the Top Fuel circuit were Richard Tharp and Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, a veteran who broke the 200-mile-per-hour barrier in the 1960s.
In 1958, Muldowney made her debut on the dragstrip of the Fonda Speedway. She obtained her NHRA pro license in 1965. She competed in the 1969 and 1970 U.S. Nationals in a twin-engine dragster in Top Gas. With Top Gas losing popularity, Muldowney switched to Funny Car, buying her first car from Connie Kalitta.
Shirley Muldowney Dragster
Muldowney competed in the 1969 and 1970 U.S. Nationals in a twin-engine dragster in Top Gas. She won her first major event, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Southern Nationals in 1971. She won three NHRA Top Fuel Dragsters world Championships in 1977, 1980, and 1982.
Shirley Muldowney Heart Like A Wheel
In 1983, a film about Muldowney titled ‘Heart Like a Wheel’ and the film was a biopic based on her life and career as a racer. Muldowney founded Shirley’s Kid foundation, which is focused on helping children in need in cities where drag racing competitions are held.
Shirley Muldowney Don Garlits
Muldowney answered almost 5,000 get-well letters and was touched that archrival Don Garlits offered sympathy as well as financial help.
Shirley Muldowney’s Tales From The Track
Muldowney’s recent activities include the dictation of her memoirs, Shirley Muldowney’s Tales from the Track, which Bill Stephens transcribed as well as which Sports Publishing L.L.C. published in 2005.
Shirley Muldowney Movie
The 1983 biopic Heart Like a Wheel, about Muldowney’s life and career, starred Bonnie Bedelia. Muldowney would rather have had Jamie Lee Curtis play her; she called Bedelia “a snot,” and stated, “When she was promoting the movie on TV shows, she would tell interviewers she didn’t even like racing.
She got out of race car sic like she was getting up from the dinner table.” Muldowney had mixed feelings about the film itself, stating, “No, the movie did not capture my life very well at all, but more importantly, I thought the movie was very, very good for the sport.”
Shirley Muldowney Crash
In 1984, she had a crash that crushed her hands, pelvis, and legs and this made her undergo over six different surgeries and she was on therapy for 18 months. This crash made her inactive in the racing world, but she made a comeback in the late 1980s before she then retired in 2003.
Shirley Muldowney Cancer Issue
In March 2016, Muldowney was diagnosed with cancer. She was later diagnosed with histoplasmosis, a curable and non-malignant fungal infection that can mimic cancer.
Shirley Muldowney Books
- Tales from the Track.
- Tales from a Top Fuel Dragster: A Collection of the Greatest Drag Racing Stories Ever Told.
Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
Shirley Muldowney traveled extensively throughout her career as a drag racer. She competed in events all over the United States and Canada, and she also traveled to Europe and Australia.
Some of her most notable travel experiences include:
- Driving a Top Fuel dragster at the Indianapolis 500 in 1984. Muldowney was the first woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in a Top Fuel dragster. She finished in 18th place.
- Racing in the NHRA World Finals in Australia in 1982. Muldowney was the first woman to race in the NHRA World Finals in Australia. She finished in third place.
- Traveling to Europe to compete in drag racing events. Muldowney competed in drag racing events in England, France, Germany, and Sweden.
- Visiting the White House to meet with President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Muldowney was invited to the White House to meet with President Ronald Reagan in honor of her achievements in drag racing.
Muldowney’s travels allowed her to meet people from all over the world and to share her love of drag racing with others. She was an ambassador for the sport and helped to popularize it around the globe.
In addition to her travels, Muldowney also had many notable experiences throughout her career. Here are a few examples:
- Being the subject of a documentary film called “Cha Cha Muldowney” in 1980. The film followed Muldowney’s life and career as a drag racer.
- Writing an autobiography called “Cha Cha: My Life in the Fast Lane” in 1984. The book chronicled Muldowney’s life and career, from her early days as a street racer to her success as a Top Fuel dragster driver.
- Being inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1995. Muldowney was the first woman to be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
- Being inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2000. Muldowney was the first woman to be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame for her achievements in drag racing.
Future Aspirations and Goals
Shirley Muldowney retired from racing in 1984, but she has remained active in the sport as a television commentator and spokesperson. She is also a motivational speaker and author.
In recent years, Muldowney has spoken about her hopes for the future of drag racing. She believes that the sport needs to do more to attract young people and to promote diversity. She also believes that drag racing needs to be more fan-friendly and accessible.
Muldowney is also passionate about helping other women achieve their dreams in racing. She founded the Shirley Muldowney Scholarship Fund to help young women pay for their racing education. She also hosts an annual women’s racing summit to promote networking and mentorship opportunities.
Muldowney’s future aspirations and goals are to continue to be a positive force in the world of drag racing. She wants to see the sport grow and thrive, and she wants to help more women achieve their dreams in racing.
Here are some of her specific goals:
- Continue to be a television commentator and spokesperson for drag racing.
- Continue to be a motivational speaker and author.
- Continue to work with the Shirley Muldowney Scholarship Fund to help young women pay for their racing education.
- Continue to host the annual women’s racing summit.
- See drag racing grow and thrive.
- See more women achieve their dreams in racing.
Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable and Community Involvement
Shirley Muldowney has been involved in a number of philanthropic, charitable, and community initiatives throughout her career. Here are a few examples:
- Founded the Shirley Muldowney Scholarship Fund to help young women pay for their racing education. The fund has awarded scholarships to over 100 women since it was founded in 1984.
- Hosts an annual women’s racing summit to promote networking and mentorship opportunities. The summit has brought together over 1,000 women from all over the world to discuss issues facing female racers.
- Served as the grand marshal of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Indianapolis in 2000. The race is a fundraiser for breast cancer research and awareness.
- Appeared in a public service announcement for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promote safe driving habits. The PSA aired on television and radio stations across the country.
- Donated money to the Boys & Girls Club of America and other youth organizations. Muldowney has donated money to help support programs that provide educational and recreational opportunities for young people.
Shirley Muldowney Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
- In 1975, she was voted the first woman member of the ten-person Auto Racing All-American team by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association.
- In 1976, she was named Drag News Top Fuel Driver of the Year and voted to the Auto Racing All-American Team for the second time.
- In 1977, she won the NHRA Winston world points championship, becoming the first woman to claim drag racing’s most prestigious title. Recipient of the “Outstanding Achievement Award” from the United States House of Representatives on October 14, 1977. Named Drag News Top Fuel Driver of the Year for the second straight season. Named Car Craft Magazine Person of the Year during the annual Car Craft Awards Banquet, Indianapolis, Indiana. First Top Fuel driver to win three NHRA national events back-to-back.
- 1980 Won NHRA Winston world points championship for the second time.
- 1981 Won AHRA world championship. Voted to Auto Racing All-American team for the fifth time. Voted Car Craft Magazine All-Star Team, Top Fuel Driver of the Year, for the second year in a row.
- 1982 Won NHRA Winston points championship, becoming the first person to claim drag racing’s most prestigious title three times. Voted to Auto Racing All-American Team for the fifth time.
- In 1990, she was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
- In 2001, she was ranked number 5 on the National Hot Rod Association’s 50th Anniversary list of its Top 50 Drivers, 1951-2000.
- In 2004, she was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.
- In 2005, she was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.
- In 2008, ESPN ranked her 21st on its list of the Top 25 Drivers of All Time, citing her record as the first woman to win a major racing championship.
Legacy
Shirley Muldowney is a pioneer in drag racing and her legacy is one of breaking barriers and inspiring others. She was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to drive a Top Fuel dragster, and she went on to win the NHRA Top Fuel championship three times. She was also the first woman to break the 6-second barrier in a Top Fuel dragster.
Muldowney’s success came at a time when women were still underrepresented in drag racing. She faced sexism and discrimination throughout her career, but she never gave up. She was a pioneer in the sport and helped to pave the way for other women racers.
Muldowney was also a charismatic figure who was known for her sense of humor and her ability to connect with fans. She was a savvy businesswoman who used her fame to promote her sponsors.
Muldowney retired from racing in 1984, but she has remained active in the sport as a television commentator and spokesperson. She is also a motivational speaker and author.
Muldowney’s legacy is one of breaking barriers and inspiring others. She is an inspiration to women everywhere and her story is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
Here are some of the ways in which Shirley Muldowney has impacted the world of drag racing:
- She was the first woman to receive a license from the NHRA to drive a Top Fuel dragster.
- She was the first woman to win the NHRA Top Fuel championship.
- She was the first woman to break the 6-second barrier in a Top Fuel dragster.
- She was the first woman to drive a Top Fuel dragster at the Indianapolis 500.
- She was the first woman to be inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
- She is the only person to have won the NHRA Top Fuel championship three times.
Hobbies and Interests
Shirley Muldowney was a very active person and had many hobbies and interests. Some of her favorites included:
- Racing: Of course, racing was Muldowney’s main hobby and interest. She loved the thrill of the competition and the adrenaline rush of driving a Top Fuel dragster.
- Auto racing: Muldowney was also interested in other forms of auto racing, such as stock car racing and Formula One. She would often attend races and meet with other drivers.
- Motorcycles: Muldowney also enjoyed riding motorcycles. She would often take her motorcycle out for rides on the weekends.
- Traveling: Muldowney loved to travel. She would often travel to different drag racing events around the world. She also enjoyed visiting new places and experiencing different cultures.
- Reading: Muldowney was an avid reader. She enjoyed reading biographies, history books, and novels.
- Writing: Muldowney was also a writer. She wrote a book about her life and career called “Cha Cha: My Life in the Fast Lane.”
- Public speaking: Muldowney was a gifted public speaker. She would often give speeches at events and conferences. She was also a motivational speaker and would often speak to groups of young people about her experiences.
Personal Beliefs
Shirley Muldowney was a very private person and did not often talk about her personal beliefs. However, there are a few things that we can infer from her actions and public statements.
- She believed in hard work and determination. Muldowney was a self-made woman who achieved great success in a male-dominated sport. She believed that anyone could achieve their dreams if they were willing to work hard and never give up.
- She believed in equality for women. Muldowney faced a lot of sexism and discrimination throughout her career, but she never let it stop her. She was a strong advocate for equality for women and believed that they could achieve anything they set their minds to.
- She believed in the power of dreams. Muldowney always dreamed of becoming a race car driver, and she never gave up on her dream. She believed that dreams could come true if you were willing to work hard and never give up.
Quotes
Final Thoughts
Shirley Muldowney was a pioneer in the world of drag racing. She was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to drive a Top Fuel dragster, and she went on to win the NHRA Top Fuel championship three times. She was also the first woman to break the 6-second barrier in a Top Fuel dragster.
Conclusion
Shirley Muldowney is a pioneer. She is breaking down barriers and paving the way for others to follow. She is an inspiration to us all to never stop fighting for what we believe in.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shirley Muldowney
Shirley is an accomplished auto racer who was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to drive a Top Fuel dragster.
Shirley is an American national born on 19th June 1940, in Burlington, Vermont.
Shirley stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters).
No, Shirley was first married to Jack Muldowney from 1956 to 1972. She then married Rahn Tobler from 1988 to 2006.
Shirley has an approximate net worth of $1 million. This amount has been accrued from her leading roles in the entertainment industry.
Details about Shirley’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much she makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Shirley is a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, we shall upload pictures of her house as soon as we have them.
Shirley is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Shirley continued to race, mostly without major sponsorship, throughout the 1990s in IHRA competition and match-racing events. She returned to the NHRA towards the end of her career, running select events until her retirement at the end of 2003.
Shirley Muldowney Contacts
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