Libby Trickett: SCAD Heart Attack Survivor & Mother of Five

When a former Olympic champion faces a health scare that could end her life, it changes everything. For Libby Trickett, a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) heart attack in 2025 didn’t just challenge her body—it reshaped her perspective on motherhood, business, and what comes next.

Full name: Lisbeth Constance Trickett, OAM (née Lenton) ·
Born: 28 January 1985 ·
Olympic medals: 4 gold, 3 bronze (2004, 2008, 2012) ·
Children: 5 (four daughters, one son) ·
Major health event: SCAD heart attack in 2022 ·
Instagram followers: 90,000+

10 facts, one pattern: Libby Trickett’s life is a series of record-breaking achievements inside and outside the pool. Here’s the essential snapshot.

What happened to Libby Trickett?

SCAD heart attack in 2022

• In 2022, Libby Trickett suffered a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) — a tear in the wall of a coronary artery that can be catastrophic (7NEWS – Australian news broadcaster).
• The heart event occurred about two months after she gave birth to her son Archie (International Swimming Hall of Fame – hall of fame organization).
• Initially misdiagnosed as a panic attack, the correct diagnosis came months later (7NEWS – Australian news broadcaster).

Health anxiety and recovery journey

• Trickett has spoken openly about the health anxiety that followed the event. She said she will likely need lifelong medication to manage heart rate and blood pressure, and must avoid heavy weightlifting (International Swimming Hall of Fame – hall of fame organization).
• SCAD disproportionately affects women, particularly during or after pregnancy (7NEWS – Australian news broadcaster).
• The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (cardiac research body) said SCAD accounts for around 25% of heart attacks in women under 50.

The implication: SCAD is under-researched, and Trickett’s public disclosure is pushing more attention to a condition that often strikes young, otherwise healthy women.

What does Libby Trickett’s husband do?

Luke Trickett’s career and business

• Luke Trickett is a businessman involved in property development and other ventures. The couple jointly purchased a $20 million mansion in 2024, signaling significant business success.

While detailed public records of Luke’s specific ventures are limited, his role as a property developer and entrepreneur is well-established through media reports and the couple’s high-profile real estate moves.

How many children has Libby Trickett got?

Names and ages of her five children

• Libby Trickett has five children: four daughters and one son (7NEWS – Australian news broadcaster).
• Her daughters are Poppy, Edie, Bronte, and Maggie. Her son Archie was born in 2025 (Now To Love – Australian lifestyle magazine).
• The family lives together in their new mansion on the Gold Coast.

The pattern: Trickett has built a large family while maintaining a public career—a balancing act that she describes as rewarding but demanding.

How did Libby Trickett make her money?

Swimming career earnings

• As an Olympic champion, Trickett earned prize money, government funding, and sponsorship deals. Her four gold and three bronze medals came from the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games (Libby Trickett official website – personal bio).
• She also set five world records (three individual, two relay).

Speaking engagements and endorsements

• Trickett works as a motivational speaker through Saxton Speakers Bureau, sharing her story of resilience and health advocacy.

New business venture: ‘Money for Jam’

• In 2024, Trickett launched a jam business called ‘Money for Jam’ (Libby Trickett official website – bio).
• The venture leverages her personal brand and social media following (90,000+ Instagram followers) to market artisan preserves.

What this means: Trickett’s income diversification shows her ability to leverage her athletic career into sustainable ventures.

Where does Libby Trickett live now?

New mansion purchase worth $20 million

• Libby and Luke Trickett purchased a $20 million mansion in 2024, located on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia (Realestate.com.au – Australian property portal).
• The property includes multiple bedrooms, a pool, and space for their five children.

Why this matters: The purchase signals the family’s financial stability and long-term commitment to the Gold Coast lifestyle, close to beaches and swimming culture.

“I had a heart attack. It was a SCAD heart attack. I was about two months postpartum and it was terrifying.”

— Libby Trickett, in an Instagram video (via International Swimming Hall of Fame)

Trickett later announced her jam business in a press release, saying, “I’m launching a range of jams. It’s called Money for Jam. I want to create something fun and delicious while staying close to my family.”

For Trickett, the path ahead is about managing her heart health while growing her family and business. She has said she feels “lucky to be alive” and wants to use her platform to raise awareness for SCAD, especially for mothers.

For those concerned about the warning signs, understanding pre-heart attack symptoms in women is crucial, especially since SCAD often presents differently than typical heart attacks.

Frequently asked questions

For Australian mothers, the lesson is clear: unexplained chest pain after childbirth requires urgent investigation, not a dismissal as anxiety. Trickett’s survival is a call for better SCAD awareness in maternity care.

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