<P> Gertrude Caroline Ederle ( October 23 , 1905 -- November 30 , 2003 ) was an American competition swimmer , Olympic champion , and former world record - holder in five events . On 6 August 1926 , she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel . Among other nicknames , the press sometimes called her `` Queen of the Waves . '' </P>
<P> Gertrude Caroline Ederle ( October 23 , 1905 -- November 30 , 2003 ) was an American competition swimmer , Olympic champion , and former world record - holder in five events . On 6 August 1926 , she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel . Among other nicknames , the press sometimes called her `` Queen of the Waves . '' </P>
first american woman to swim the english channel
first american woman to swim the english channel
Gertrude Caroline Ederle
Gertrude Caroline Ederle