Lindsey Vonn Stuns On Met Gala Red Carpet Without Crutches 3 Months After Olympic Crash
on May 05, 2026
Lindsey Vonn Nearly Lost Her Leg Following A Devastating Crash At The Winter Olympics
U.S. Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn retired from skiing for nearly six years. She returned to the sport last season and had her eyes on another gold medal.
Vonn was pursuing that dream on February 8, 2026, when her life changed forever.
41-year-old Vonn crashed just a few seconds into her run during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics when her right arm hooked the inside of a gate, and she crashed. She had to be airlifted off the mountain, and later, we learned she sustained a complex tibia fracture.
The true severity of Vonn’s injury became known in later updates.
Amid immense pain and multiple surgeries, Vonn also lost her beloved dog, Leo. Still, she remained active on social media and kept her followers updated every step of the way.
After she returned home, Vonn made it clear just how serious her injury was. She revealed she could have lost her leg, saying she fully believes her doctor, Tom Hackett, saved it from being amputated.
RELATED: LINDSEY VONN RESPONDS TO THOSE WHO CALLED HER “SELFISH” FOR COMPETING IN THE OLYMPICS
In the three months since her crash, Vonn has continued to keep her fans updated on her recovery journey. People have been amazed by her determination and hopeful spirit.
Vonn isn’t ruling out a return to skiing, either. She told TODAY‘s Craig Melvin in April:
“I don’t know, maybe I would do one more race to say goodbye. Maybe I’ll race again. It might be fun to do one more run. We’ll see.”
She added, “I’m still kind of trapped in this I didn’t have my Olympic dream situation. But I need to walk and be out in public and be living life and I think that will give me a different perspective. Right now I can’t say what the future holds because my mind can’t get there yet.”
Lindsey Vonn Triumphantly Walks The Met Gala Red Carpet In A Dress That Took An Unbelievable Amount Of Time To Make
Then, on Monday (May 4), Lindsey Vonn amazed everyone by attending the Met Gala.
The Met Gala is an annual fundraiser that supports the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. The event is super exclusive, and you need an invite to attend.
This year’s Met Gala theme was “Costume Art” with a “Fashion Is Art” dress code.
Vonn embraced the theme by rocking a mermaid-style gown with elaborate beadwork and tulle trim. USA Today reports her dress was designed by Thom Browne. PEOPLE shared that the dress featured 500,000 glass-cut and bugle beads.
In a triumphant display, Vonn walked the red carpet without crutches. USA Today reports this was Vonn’s first time walking on her own in public since her crash.
“It’s been the light at the end of the tunnel,” Vonn told CNN on May 1. “From the start to the top of the stairs, if I can make it with no crutches, that’s a huge win.”
Prior to the Met Gala, Vonn practiced her “walk” in the hallway of her hotel. She also showcased the black-and-gold Thom Browne walking cane she’d be using if she needed assistance throughout the night.
Being able to attend (and walk at) the Met Gala clearly meant a lot to Vonn. While speaking to E! News‘ Zuri Hall at the event, Vonn said, “I just feel beautiful.“
Vonn also revealed that her dress took an unbelievable amount of time to create. “They spent 4000 hours to make this dress,” she told Hall.
For reference, that’s nearly 167 days!
“I’m just very thankful,” Vonn said about the experience. “There’s a lot of moments where I didn’t know where I would be or where I would get to, and getting to this place is really special. So I’m very thankful.”
See more of Lindsey Vonn’s dazzling Met Gala look in the slideshow and video below!
