Lindsey Vonn Shares “Incredibly Hard” News – Her Beloved Dog, Leo, Has Died
on Feb 18, 2026
Lindsey Vonn’s Dog Died The Day After Her Horrific Olympic Crash
Just one day after crashing during the 2026 Winter Olympics, Lindsey Vonn lost her beloved dog, Leo.
Vonn, who returned to skiing last season after a nearly six-year retirement, was a favorite to win gold at the Olympics. However, the week before the games began, Vonn crashed during a race in Switzerland. She ruptured her ACL and suffered other injuries, but remained determined to ski in the Olympics.
Vonn confidently took to the course of the women’s downhill event on Sunday, February 8th. Unfortunately, she was only a few seconds into her race when she crashed.
41-year-old Vonn had to be airlifted off the mountain.
RELATED: LINDSEY VONN’S DAD BELIEVES HER SKIING CAREER SHOULD END AFTER OLYMPIC CRASH
Vonn has kept her followers updated on her injury, treatment, and recovery since her crash. She sustained a complex tibia fracture, which has required multiple surgeries.
Amid such a challenging time, Vonn suffered a great heartbreak. Her dog, Leo, passed away on February 9, the day after her crash.
“This has been an incredibly hard few days,” Vonn wrote in a post she shared on February 18. “Probably the hardest of my life. I still have not come to terms that he is gone…The day I crashed, so did Leo. He had been recently diagnosed with lung cancer (he survived lymphoma a year and a half ago) but now his heart was failing him. He was in pain and his body could no longer keep up with his strong mind.”
Vonn said she got to say goodbye to Leo (presumably over the phone or on a video call) from her hospital bed in Italy.
“I had lost so much that meant something to me in such a short amount of time. I can’t believe it,” she said.
Vonn shared how Leo has been with her through many highs and lows in her life over the past 13 years. The photos and videos she included in her tribute showcased the many precious memories they made together.
Vonn ended her post by writing:
“Heading in for more surgery today. Will be thinking of him when I close my eyes. I will love you forever my big boy.”
Lindsey Is Back In The U.S. After Undergoing Multiple Surgeries In Italy
Lindsey Vonn recently returned home after spending over a week in the hospital in Italy. She shared a video on Instagram documenting her long journey back to the U.S.
Now that she’s back in the U.S., Vonn is looking forward to learning more about her injury. She told her followers it “was a lot more severe than just a broken leg.” She’s still trying to come to terms with it, and what it could mean for her future.
Vonn promised to share more details “in the coming days.”
In a previous update, Vonn said she hadn’t “stood on [her] feet in over a week.” She had been “immobile” in her hospital bed ever since her crash.
“[But], although I’m not yet able to stand, being back on home soil feels amazing,” she shared.
Though of course, that return home comes with some heartache as well, since Leo has passed away. Our hearts go out to Lindsey Vonn as she grieves her loss while simultaneously recovering from her injury.
