Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is a 105-year-old Catholic nun who gained fame as the chaplain for the Loyola Chicago men’s basketball team during their 2018 NCAA Final Four run. She has also published a memoir titled “Wake Up with Purpose: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years.“
The 105-year-old nun is known for her daily routine of waking up at 5 a.m. to read the Gospel on her tablet and complete her morning prayers.
She sees the attention she has received from the sports world as an opportunity to tell her story and share what she learned.
Sister Jean loves being with young people and is comfortable with modern technology like iPads. She was born in San Francisco in 1919, and her religious calling came when she was eight.
She is a Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary member and has been affiliated with Loyola since 1961.
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Quick Stats Table
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt |
| Birth Year | 1919 |
| Birth Date | August 21 |
| Age | 105 years old as of 2024 |
| Place of Birth | San Francisco |
| Family | Eureka Valley |
| Religious Order | Sisters of Charity |
| Role | Chaplain for Loyola |
| Years of Service | Since 1994 |
| Height | 5 feet 0 inches |
| Weight | 110 pounds |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | White |
| Education | St. Bernard, St. Charles, Mundelein, Loyola |
| Achievements | Bobblehead doll, “Sister Jean Day”, honorary doctorate, national attention, still active |
| Interesting Facts | Born before Internet, TV, sliced bread, chaplain since 1994, national attention |
| Hobbies | Passion for basketball, watches Loyola, Kentucky |
| Advocacy | Civil rights, Pope Francis, poor, migrants |
| Concerns | Artificial intelligence, migrant crisis |
| Upcoming Events | Birthday celebration, Chicago Cubs game, Loyola block party |
| Quote | “Ready when God calls me” |
Sister Jean Age
Jean Dolores Schmidt, born on Aug 21, 1919, is an American religious sister from the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As of 2024, her age is 105 years.
Sister Jean Early Life
Born in San Francisco, California, on Aug 21, 1919, Jean Dolores Schmidt grew up in the Eureka Valley neighborhood. She expressed an early interest in becoming a nun during her third-grade years.
While attending St. Paul’s High School, she played basketball for the girls’ team. After completing high school in 1937, she merged with the Sisters of Charity of the Holy Virgin convent in Iowa, where she became a sister in 1941.
Sister Jean returned to California to teach after completing her education. She earned a B.A. from Mount St. College (now Mount St. University) in Los Angeles in 1949 and an M.A. from the Loyola University of Los Angeles (now Loyola University) in 1961.
Her Height & Weight
Sister Jean is a beloved figure in basketball, known for her spiritual guidance and unwavering support of the Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team.
However, as a nun, her height, weight, and body measurements are not commonly discussed or disclosed. But according to some reports, she is 5’0 in height.
Sister Jean’s age may have affected her physical stature, it is important to remember that her impact on the Loyola community extends far beyond any physical attributes.
Sister Jean Professional Career
Sister Jean started teaching at St. Bernard School in Glassell Park, California, then moved to St. Charles Borromeo School in North Hollywood in 1946. A few of her former students from St. Charles joined religious life, such as Fr. Thomas Rausch, S.J., and Sister Milligan, RSHM.
Sister Jean moved to Chicago to teach at Mundelein College in 1961 and actively participated in the civil rights movement during the mid-1960s. She began working at Loyola in 1991 after Mundelein College merged with Loyola.
Sister Jean became the team chaplain for the Ramblers men’s basketball team in 1994 and was presented with an honorary doctorate from Loyola in 2016. She inspired a bobblehead doll in 2011 and was honored with “Sister Jean Day” in 2012.
Sister Jean became widely known outside of Loyola after the Ramblers’ unexpected victory over Miami in the 2018 NCAA tournament. She became even more famous after the team upset Tennessee in the round of 32, leading Loyola to its first Sweet 16 appearance in 33 years.
Sister Jean’s fame grew rapidly, and her bobblehead sold for over $300 on eBay. Loyola advanced to the Final 4 for the first time since 1963 but lost to Michigan in the semifinal game.
Once again, Sister Jean became the center of attention in 2021 when Loyola prepared for the tournament. Despite being initially barred from appearing at the tournament, she was cleared to attend after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
Her Current Net Worth
As of 2024, Sister Jean’s net worth is around $80k. However, Sister Jean celebrated her 100th birthday on Aug 21, 2019, and continues to work at Loyola, where she maintains an office in the student center on campus. In 2020, she lived in The Clare, a senior living residence in downtown Chicago.
She appeared at the 2022 tournament, with USA Today noting that she was still healthy. On her 103rd birthday, Aug 21, 2022, the plaza outside the Loyola CTA station was devoted to Sister Jean to commemorate her life and work.
Quick Facts to know about Sister Jean
- Entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary convent in Iowa in 1937
- Taught at St. Bernard School in Glassell Park, California, and St. Charles Borromeo School in North Hollywood, California
- Moved to Chicago in 1961 and taught at Mundelein College
- Active in the civil rights movement during the mid-1960s
- Hired by Loyola in 1991 and has worked as the team chaplain for the Ramblers men’s basketball team since 1994
- Inspired her own bobblehead doll in 2011 and was honored with a “Sister Jean Day” on December 1, 2012
- Presented with an honorary doctorate from Loyola in 2016
- Gained national attention during the 2018 NCAA tournament, with her bobblehead selling for over $300 on eBay
- Still active and living at The Clare, a senior living residence in downtown Chicago, as of 2020
- Plaza outside Loyola CTA station dedicated to her in commemoration of her 103rd birthday in 2022.
