Benjamin Raich is a retired Austrian alpine skier, former World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist.
Leitch won a total of 14 medals at the Winter Olympics and World Championships throughout his career, demonstrating his exceptional skill and consistency.
With 36 World Cup race wins, he has cemented his place among the sport’s elite and established a legacy of excellence in alpine skiing.
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- Full name: Benjamin Leitch
- Stage name: Benjamin Leitch
- Date of birth: February 28, 1978
- Age: 46 years old
- Place of birth: Innsbruck, Austria.
- Nationality: Austria
- Occupation: Skier
- Height: 1.81m
- Parents: Alois Raich and Christine Raich
- Siblings: Marina Leitch and Florian Leitch.
- Spouse: Maryse Heard
- Children: 3
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $10 million
early life and education
Benjamin Raichwas was born on February 28, 1978 in Innsbruck, Austria.
He was raised by his parents, Alois Raich and Christine Raich, and grew up with two siblings, Marina Raich and Florian Raich.
However, there is limited information about his educational background as he has not disclosed it publicly. He identified himself as Austrian and gave no specific details about his religious beliefs.
Profession
Benjamin Raich is a distinguished former alpine skier who made his World Cup debut in 1996.
His early success came at the Junior World Championships, where he won the slalom and giant slalom, setting the stage for a promising career.
In 1999, he achieved a major milestone by winning his first World Cup title in slalom. Raich’s career peaked at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, where he won two gold medals and the giant slalom, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished athletes in the sport.
Raich has an impressive 36 World Cup race wins in all disciplines (excluding downhill) during his career.
He won the overall World Cup title in 2005-06 and was a consistent competitor, finishing second overall multiple times.
His versatility is one of his greatest assets, allowing him to excel in slalom, giant slalom and combined events.
Raich also dominated the 2005 World Championships, winning five medals and solidifying his place among Alpine skiing’s elite.
Leitch continued to compete at the highest level until his retirement in 2015, winning his final World Cup victory in February 2012.
After retiring from competitive skiing, he turned to sports commentary, providing expert insight into ski events. Leitch also had a lasting impact on the sport through his commitment to developing young talent through his racing centre.
His legacy as a role model and key figure in alpine skiing history continues to inspire aspiring athletes.
Awards and nominations
- Olympic Games
- world championship
- world cup
social media
- Instagram account: @benjamin_raich
- Twitter account: @benjamin_raich
personal life
Benjamin Raich’s husband, Marlies Schild, was an accomplished Austrian skier and a towering figure in alpine skiing.
The couple, who have been together for more than a decade, married in April 2015. Shortly after their marriage, they announced that they were expecting their first child, who was born in October 2015.
Raich and Schild have three children, reflecting their deep commitment to family life. They are both actively involved in developing young ski talent through their own competition centres, providing training and guidance to aspiring athletes.
net worth
Benjamin Raich’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million, derived primarily from his successful career as an alpine ski racer, during which he racked up numerous wins and prestigious honors.
