Born in Merrylands, New South Wales, Betty Cuthbert grew up in Ermington, and attended both Ermington Public School and Macarthur Girls High School.
Cuthbert won three gold medals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. She retired briefly from athletics after disappointing performances at the 1960 Olympics, but returned to the Olympic stage in 1964 to win the gold medal in the 400 metres.
Cuthbert was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1969.