Who Are Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Parents? All About Maxine Simpson And Orane Fraser

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, one of the most decorated sprinters in track and field, has dominated the 100m, 200m, and 60m events for over a decade with unmatched consistency. A three-time Olympic gold winner and a five-time world champion, the Jamaican star sprinter is also the first Caribbean woman to win a gold medal in the 100 m final when she won it back in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, born on December 27, 1986, to Maxine Simpson and Orane Fraser, started running barefoot while she attended primary school. Shelly, along with her two brothers, was raised by her mother. After a successful career as one of the world’s most renowned sprinters, Shelly decided to bid farewell to track after the 2024 Paris Olympics, but she is back again in 2025, with “unfinished business.” As she showcases her dominance on the track yet again, let’s take a look at her family life.

Meet Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Parents

Shelly’s mother, Maxine Simpson, has played a crucial role in her career and life. Maxine herself was once a great athlete, and her dedication to the sport and her experience have helped Shelly to excel. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s father’s details are not available in public, and even Shelly has never talked about him.

Shelly was raised by her mother single-handedly alongside her two brothers, Omar and Andrew. Maxine’s profound influence has amazingly nurtured Shelly’s talent. “My mother is probably one of the biggest reasons why I’m running. Because she used to run, and she stopped because she got pregnant with my big brother (Omar),” Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce once said. Shelly learned the value of discipline from her mother and implemented the same in her daily routine as well.

For Simpson, raising three children wasn’t easy. Living in the tough Waterhouse community of Kingston, Jamaica, had its own challenges. She made sure that her children got the basic necessities, and for that, she worked as a street vendor. Selling fruits and goods was a part of her routine. Only a dedicated mother like Simpson could have taught Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce the value of hard work, humility, and perseverance for her children. “My mother encourages me a lot and I really love her because when nobody else was there, she always made sure to provide for us,” Shelly stated years ago.

Shell-Ann’s mother, Maxine Simpson, was over the moon when her daughter won the 200 m in the women’s 14th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Moscow, Russia, in 2013. She was crowned world sprint-double champion, and after her daughter won the race, Maxine said, “First thing, I have to give God thanks, because if it wasn’t for that man, I don’t know what would have happened and so I have to trust him.” But where do her parents belong?

What is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s parents’ nationality?

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was raised in Kingston, Jamaica, the heart of the lively Waterhouse community. She has roots going deep in the Jamaican ground, and she’s never been afraid to own up to it. Her mother, Maxine Simpson, is Jamaican, and although not much is known about her father, this one thing is certain—Shelly-Ann carries the heart of Jamaica with her wherever she goes. Ever since her initial days on the island to her current status as a sprinting icon, her Jamaican background has always remained a large element of her identity.

How is Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s relationship with her mother and father?

When it comes to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, one thing is certain: her story is deeply rooted in family, especially her bond with her mother. Shelly-Ann was raised in Waterhouse in Kingston, Jamaica, primarily by her strong, determined mother, Maxine Simpson. Her mother worked hard and did everything, or even more than what a mother could have done. Maxine even worked as a street vendor to support her children. Maxine’s sacrifices left a lasting impact on Shelly-Ann, and she often credits her mother and calls her her biggest inspiration.

In several interviews, Shelly-Ann has talked about the discipline and strength her mother imparted to her as a child. From the start, she was taught about hard work, resilience, and humility—traits that have marked her both on and off the track. Indeed, Maxine was so important to Shelly-Ann’s life that even when she became internationally acclaimed, she never lost touch with reality, often crediting her mother for being constant in her encouragement.

Shelly grew up in the Waterhouse community alongside her two brothers. Maxine Simpson, a former athlete who worked as a street vendor, played a significant role in Shelly-Ann’s upbringing and athletic development. While her father, Orane Fraser, was part of her life, the available information emphasizes the pivotal role her mother played in shaping her career and providing the support and guidance that led to her becoming a world-renowned sprinter.

What’s even more heartwarming is seeing Shelly-Ann now as a mother herself. Yes, she is a proud mother of a beautiful son, Zion. She gave birth to Zion in 2017, and right after that, she made a wonderful comeback to competitive sprinting. She is fondly called “Mummy Rocket” because of her power-packed performances on the track even after becoming a proud mom.

In fact, recently in April 2025, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce left all the parents behind at her son’s sports day, and why not? Being a track and field athlete, she is still a mother.