Wilma Rudolph was born on June 23, 1940, in Clarksville, Tennessee. She was the 20th child of her parents, who had 22 children in total. Her childhood was marked by poverty and discrimination, as the family lived in a small, rundown house with few resources. Despite the hardships she faced, Wilma showed a remarkable determination and perseverance that would eventually lead her to become one of the most celebrated athletes of all time.