Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam has been making headlines both on and off the ice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. She clinched the gold medal in the women’s 1000-meter event, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 1 minute and 12.31 seconds, which set a new Olympic record. The victory further cemented her reputation as one of the top speed skaters in the world, and the celebrations that followed were nothing short of iconic.
After her stunning performance, Leerdam decided to reward herself in a very memorable way. She took to TikTok to share the experience with her millions of followers, posting a video that quickly captured everyone’s attention. “Today is my rest day and right after winning the gold we went shopping. And let me show you what I bought,” she told her fans before unveiling a legendary luxury accessory. The item turned out to be none other than a Hermès Birkin bag, one of the most coveted fashion pieces in the world.
Leerdam was visibly thrilled with her purchase, explaining every detail to her audience with genuine excitement. “This is my very first Birkin bag ever. I’m so happy and satisfied. Look how beautiful it is. They gave me the color called gold, with silver metal details. All of this happened in one weekend — my first Olympic gold and my first Birkin,” she said. The bag features the classic structured silhouette, a warm golden-brown shade, and polished silver hardware that makes it look immediately luxurious.
She also reflected on the poetic timing of the whole occasion, noting how perfectly the city of Milan tied into the moment. “Milan fit in perfectly here — an Olympic gold medal and the fashion side of the story with the Birkin bag. It’s simply too much. I’m overwhelmed with emotions, but also with immense gratitude. It’s truly incredible. I wanted to share this with you,” Leerdam said. The video resonated widely with fans, who flooded the comments with messages of congratulation for both the athletic and the fashion achievement.
Beyond her sporting success, Leerdam has become one of the most recognized faces in the world of sports and social media. She currently has 5.6 million followers on Instagram and more than two million on TikTok, where she regularly offers glimpses into both her professional and personal life. Her engagement to YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul has only added to her global profile, drawing fans from well beyond the skating world. Thousands of spectators in Milan cheered loudly for her every time she appeared at the Milano Speed Skating Arena during the Games.
Before her relationship with Jake Paul, Leerdam was in a long-term partnership with fellow Dutch speed skater Koen Verweij, with whom she dated from 2017 to 2022. Verweij is himself a decorated Olympic athlete, and the two are reported to have remained on good terms following their split. That chapter of her life was followed by an even more public profile, as her relationship with Paul attracted international media coverage and expanded her reach to entirely new audiences.
The Hermès Birkin bag has long been considered one of the ultimate status symbols in the luxury fashion world. Originally created in 1984 after a chance encounter on a plane between actress and singer Jane Birkin and then-Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, the bag quickly became the gold standard of high-end handbags. Birkins are notoriously difficult to obtain, as they are rarely displayed openly in stores and often require an existing purchase history with Hermès before a client is even offered one. Depending on the leather, hardware, and size, prices typically range from around $10,000 to well over $100,000 for rare or exotic versions. Because of their scarcity and consistent demand, Birkin bags are often viewed not just as fashion accessories but as tangible investments that can appreciate significantly in value over time.
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