Sasha Digiulian Wiki, Bio, Networth, BF, Husband, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Sasha Digiulian

Sasha DiGiulian is an American professional rock climber who is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished female climbers in the world. Specializing in outdoor sport and big wall climbing, she has consistently pushed the boundaries of the sport. DiGiulian has claimed numerous accolades, including a World Championship title, three U.S. National Championships, and an undefeated streak as the Pan-American Champion for a decade. She gained international acclaim as the first North American woman to climb a grade 9a (5.14d), a feat that at the time was considered the most difficult sport climb ever achieved by a female. Beyond her competitive success, DiGiulian is celebrated for her more than 30 first female ascents and numerous first ascents on some of the world’s most challenging rock faces and big walls. An author, film producer, and entrepreneur, she is a prominent advocate for environmental causes and gender equality in sports.

Sasha Digiulian Overview

Early Life and Education of Sasha Digiulian

Sasha DiGiulian was born in Alexandria, Virginia, to John Anthony and Andrea DiGiulian. She holds dual American and Canadian citizenship, as her mother’s family is from Montreal. Growing up, she was a multi-talented athlete, initially competing in figure skating before discovering her passion for climbing. Her introduction to the sport came at the age of six during her brother’s birthday party at a local climbing gym. She began competing just a year later, at the age of seven. DiGiulian attended the Potomac School, a private day school in McLean, Virginia. After graduating from high school, she took a gap year to focus on her burgeoning climbing career before enrolling at Columbia University in New York City. At Columbia, she successfully balanced her professional athletic career with a rigorous academic schedule, studying non-fiction creative writing and business. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and served as an athlete representative on the board of the International Federation of Sport Climbing during her time at the university. In 2016, she graduated from Columbia University, a testament to her dedication to both her athletic and intellectual pursuits.

Sasha Digiulian’s Career

Sasha DiGiulian’s climbing career began at the tender age of six, and by seven, she was already competing. Her prodigious talent was evident early on; she climbed her first 5.13b (8a) route at just 11 years old. Her competitive career saw her dominate the junior circuit, remaining the undefeated Junior Pan-American Champion from 2004 to 2010. Stepping onto the adult stage, she continued her winning streak, becoming the undefeated Pan-American Champion from 2010 to 2018 and securing the title of a three-time US National Champion.

A pivotal year for DiGiulian was 2011. Just before graduating high school, she redpointed two 5.14c (8c+) routes, Southern Smoke and Lucifer, in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. Later that year, she won the gold medal for Female Overall at the IFSC World Championships in Arco, Italy, which included a gold in Bouldering and a bronze in the Duel discipline. In October 2011, she further solidified her place in climbing history by redpointing Pure Imagination, another 5.14c (8c+) route. She was the first North American woman to climb the grade 9a (5.14d) with her ascent of Era Vella in Spain in 2012, making her the third woman in the world to achieve this milestone.

DiGiulian’s focus gradually shifted from competitions to pioneering difficult outdoor sport climbs and big walls. She has amassed an impressive record of over 30 first female ascents and more than a dozen significant first ascents. In 2013, she achieved the first female ascent of the alpine big wall route Bellavista (5.14b/8c). One of her most notable achievements came in 2015 when she became the first woman to free-climb Magic Mushroom (7c+), one of the most challenging routes on the formidable North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland. Her big wall accomplishments also include the first ascent of a route in Brazil in 2016, The Misty Wall in Yosemite in 2017, and the first female ascent of Mora Mora (5.14b/8c) in Madagascar with climbing partner Edu Marin. More recently, she and Marianna Ordóñez were the first women to free-climb the route Bravo Les Filles in Madagascar, and DiGiulian also completed the first female free ascent of the Platinum Wall on El Capitan in Yosemite.

Beyond her climbing feats, DiGiulian has embraced the roles of author and film producer. She penned a memoir titled “Take the Lead: Hanging on, Letting Go, and Conquering Life’s Hardest Climbs” and was the subject of the HBO Max documentary, “Here to Climb.” She also produced “The Trilogy,” a film documenting her achievement of becoming the first female and second person to climb three Canadian Rocky Mountain big walls in a single season. She is also the founder and CEO of SEND BARS, a superfood nutrition bar company.

Sasha Digiulian Personal Life & Family

Sasha DiGiulian’s family has been a significant source of support throughout her life. Her mother, Andrea, learned how to belay to help facilitate her training in her early years. Her late father, John Anthony, was a self-made entrepreneur whose drive and ambition were a major inspiration for her. In 2014, her father passed away after suffering a stroke, a deeply difficult experience for her. DiGiulian has an older brother who inadvertently introduced her to climbing at his birthday party.

In her personal relationships, DiGiulian was previously in a relationship with fellow professional climber Magnus Midtbø. In September 2023, she married filmmaker Erik Osterholm. The couple met in 2017 when Osterholm was directing and producing a Red Bull documentary series that featured DiGiulian climbing Mount Washington; they began dating in August 2018. DiGiulian is also an advocate for various causes, serving as a board member for the Women’s Sports Foundation and as an Athlete Ambassador for organizations like Right to Play, the American Alpine Club, and Protect Our Winters. She has actively lobbied in Washington, D.C., for the protection of public lands and to raise awareness about climate change.

Awards and Achievements of Sasha Digiulian

• Gold Medal, Female Overall, IFSC World Championships (2011)
• Gold Medal, Bouldering, IFSC World Championships (2011)
• Three-time US National Champion
• Undefeated Pan-American Champion (2010-2018)
• Undefeated Junior Pan-American Champion (2004-2010)
• First North American woman to climb a 9a (5.14d) graded route (2012)
• First woman to free-climb Magic Mushroom on the Eiger North Face (2015)
• First woman to climb a 5.14b big wall with her ascent of Bellavista (2013)
• Over 30 First Female Ascents
• Glamour magazine’s Top College Women of the Year (2016)
• Cutting Edge Athlete Award, American Alpine Club (2014)
• Arco Rock Legend Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Outdoors
• The Golden Pitons Award (2011)
• American Alpine Club Robert Hicks Bates Award

Sasha Digiulian Net Worth and Income

As of 2025, Sasha DiGiulian’s net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $6 million. Her primary sources of income are derived from her career as a professional climber. This includes prize money from competitions and, more significantly, lucrative sponsorship deals with major brands such as Red Bull, Adidas, and Petzl. These partnerships provide her with financial support, high-performance gear, and other benefits. Her annual salary from these ventures is estimated to be in the range of $150,000 to $400,000, though this can fluctuate based on performance and new endorsements. DiGiulian has also diversified her income streams through various climbing-related activities, including coaching, conducting clinics, public speaking engagements, and her work as a writer and film producer. Furthermore, she is the founder and CEO of SEND BARS, a company that produces superfood nutrition bars, which adds to her entrepreneurial income.

Legacy and Influence

Sasha DiGiulian’s legacy is firmly cemented as a trailblazer who has significantly advanced the sport of rock climbing, particularly for women. She has shattered numerous records and established new benchmarks for what is possible for female climbers in both sport and big wall disciplines. By becoming the first North American woman to climb a 9a (5.14d) route, she opened the door for other women to aspire to and achieve higher grades of difficulty. Her more than 30 first female ascents on challenging routes worldwide have not only demonstrated her exceptional skill but have also highlighted the capabilities of female athletes in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Beyond her athletic achievements, DiGiulian has been a vocal advocate for gender equality in sports, campaigning for equal pay, access, and treatment for female athletes. Her influence extends to her role as an ambassador for various non-profits and her advocacy for environmental protection and the preservation of public lands. She has used her platform to inspire a new generation of climbers and to promote a greater social consciousness within the outdoor community. Her likeness was even used for the sample image of the rock climber emoji approved in 2017, a small but significant indicator of her cultural impact. Through her writing, films, and public speaking, she continues to share her story and motivate others to pursue their passions and overcome challenges.

Interesting Facts about Sasha Digiulian

• Before she was a world-renowned climber, Sasha DiGiulian was a competitive figure skater.
• She holds dual citizenship with the United States and Canada.
• The sample image for the rock climber emoji that was approved in 2017 is based on her likeness.
• She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in non-fiction creative writing and business while maintaining her professional climbing career.
• She produced a film called “The Trilogy” about her experience climbing three of the Canadian Rockies’ big walls in a single season.
• DiGiulian founded her own superfood nutrition bar company called SEND BARS.
• She has been a published writer for numerous publications, including National Geographic and Outside Magazine.

Controversies

In 2018, Sasha DiGiulian publicly addressed an issue of long-term cyberbullying by fellow professional climber Joe Kinder. She stated that the harassment had been ongoing for several years. Kinder had been using a private Instagram account to post disparaging memes about DiGiulian and other figures in the climbing community, with one post body-shaming her. DiGiulian revealed that she had attempted to resolve the issue privately with Kinder on multiple occasions to no avail, which ultimately led her to speak out publicly. Her decision to bring the issue to light sparked a significant conversation within the climbing community about bullying, misogyny, and online conduct. As a result of the controversy, Kinder was dropped by his sponsors, including Black Diamond and La Sportiva, and issued a public apology. There was also some criticism within the climbing media regarding the style of her ascent of Magic Mushroom on the Eiger in 2015, with some questioning the tactics used, such as the installation of fixed ropes.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram: DiGiulian has a substantial following of over 800,000 on her social media channels.
• Twitter: Information not disclosed.
• YouTube: Information not disclosed.

Final Words about Sasha Digiulian

Sasha DiGiulian continues to be a formidable force in the world of professional climbing, constantly seeking new challenges and pushing her own limits. Her career, which began in the competitive arena with world championships and national titles, has evolved into a quest for groundbreaking first ascents on some of the most demanding rock faces on the planet. She remains an active professional athlete, balancing her expeditions with her entrepreneurial venture, SEND BARS, and her advocacy work. DiGiulian’s legacy is not only defined by the routes she has conquered but also by the barriers she has broken for female athletes. Her outspokenness on issues of gender equality and environmental conservation has solidified her role as a leader and an inspiration both within and beyond the climbing world. As she continues her journey, Sasha DiGiulian’s impact on the sport and her dedication to making a positive difference are sure to endure.