“It’s my story, it’s part of me. I’m not even embarrassed about it,” said Natalie Hawkins in London last Sunday. “It shows that even though I didn’t like to have to do it, I’m glad there was something there for me to be able to protect my home.”
TMZ reported that Natalie Hawkins, mother of Olympic gymnast “Flying Squirrel” Gabby Douglas, has filed for a ‘chapter 13’ bankruptcy. A chapter 13 bankruptcy will allow Ms. Hawkins to reorganize her finances and pay her debts of $80,000 back in full, following a court-approved plan. Since Hawkins’ medical disability that began in 2009, she explained that filing for this bankruptcy has allowed her to keep her townhouse in Virginia Beach and repay all other outstanding debts, including that of a 2007 Nissan Maxima.
Assuredly, there are very few people that have a spotless financial history. Natalie Hawkins is a single mother of four that documents say makes roughly $2,500 monthly between her Social Security disability and child support payments. Despite the financial setbacks that the Hawkins – Douglas family may be facing now, the future for them looks bright. As most the world knows by now, Natalie Hawkins’ 16 year old daughter and U.S. Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglas, is currently one of the most popular athletes in London.
Right now Douglas is America’s ‘golden girl’ and the first African American to win a gold medal in women’s gymnastics all-around. Gabby’s agent has reportedly been receiving hundreds of emails from magazines, businesses, and talk shows, all interested in the U.S. gymnast. Not to mention, Gabby is already set-up to appear on the cover of Corn Flakes boxes that will be seen by people all around the world. With every endorsement deal and each of the special opportunities that only a young U.S. gymnast will get, Gabby Douglas will undoubtedly be receiving millions of dollars.
During an NBC interview, Gabby humbly said “It is everything I thought it would be; being the Olympic champion, it definitely is an amazing feeling. And I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down to me.”