Jessica Pegula, Daughter of Terry Pegula Embraces the Relevance of Her Korean-American Ethnicity
Jessica Pegula, a rising tennis star, is of rich multicultural ethnicity with Italian-American and Korean roots.
The American tennis player is renowned for her impressive skills and remarkable performance.
The athlete received an outstanding milestone, reaching a personal best singles ranking of world No. 3 and securing the top doubles ranking of world No. 1.
Moreover, Jessica is set to face Aryna Sabalenka in a highly anticipated match at the ongoing US Open tournament.
Businessman Terry Pegula Is of Italian-American Ethnicity, While His Wife, Kim Pegula, Is Korean!
Jessica Pegula, born on February 24, 1994, to parents Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula, proudly celebrates her heritage.
American billionaire businessman Terrence Michael Pegula, better known as Terry Pegula, identifies himself as Italian-American.
Furthermore, Terry owns Pegula Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the NHL team Buffalo Sabres and the NFL team Buffalo Bills.
Jessica Pegula after reaching Seoul Final:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 14, 2023
“I’m so excited to be in the finals.. being half Korean and being able to be in the final here is something I can always say. Hopefully I can win. Nonetheless, it’s an honor. So I’m really happy.” 🇰🇷🥹 pic.twitter.com/KL7kr2PgNx
On the other hand, Jessica’s mother, Kim Pegula, was born in Seoul, South Korea.
Kim is the CEO of Pegula Sports and Entertainment and, along with her husband, co-owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.
Reportedly, Kim was born in Seoul but was abandoned by her birth parents in front of a police station.
She was adopted by Ralph and Marilyn Kerr when she was five and was raised in Fairport, New York.
Although Jessica didn’t grow up in a stereotypical Korean-American household, she remains deeply connected to her heritage through sports.
She stated that,
Sometimes I forget the impact you have on people. Especially when I see a young Korean girl or family, they come up to me and they love my mom and they love me just because they see themselves being represented on a bigger stage or in an area where there’s not a lot of Asian Americans, let alone Asian American women, especially in sports.
This highlights her realization of the importance of representation and embodies her presence as an Asian-American athlete.
Therefore, Jessica’s journey emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s culture to make an impact on the world stage.
Additional Information
- Jessica launched a skincare brand called Ready 24 in 2020 and often promotes healthy skincare routines for athletes and active people.
- She trains at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy in Florida, a well-known base for several top tennis players.
- Jessica has four siblings.
