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Mai Whelan

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Mai Whelan
Born1967 or 1968 (age 56–57)[1]
Saigon, Vietnam
Occupations
  • Immigration adjudicator
  • naval officer
Known forWinning season 1 of Squid Game: The Challenge (2023)
SpouseJay Whelan[2]
Children2
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Years of service1985–2005
Awards

Mai Whelan is an American retired immigration adjudicator for the Department of Homeland Security and a former petty officer for the United States Navy.[1][3][4][2] She was the winner of the inaugural season of Squid Game: The Challenge (2023), with a grand prize of USD $4.56 million.[5][3][6][3][7]

Early life and career

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Whelan was born in Vietnam and later moved to the United States after the fall of Saigon in 1975 at the age of eight as a refugee.[1][4][8] She and her family lived at a resettlement center in Pennsylvania for 18 months, where they learned English and US culture.[2] She became pregnant at the age of 19, resulting in being cut off from her family and becoming a single parent.[1]

At the age of 18,[2] she enlisted in the United States Navy, serving for twenty years, where she was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, five Joint Service Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, five Overseas Service Ribbons, a NATO Medal, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, a Navy E Ribbon, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.[9] She is also an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.[9]

Personal life

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In 2023, she was living in Falls Church, Virginia,[10] with her husband, two children, and one granddaughter.[1] As of 2024, she lives in Swansboro, North Carolina, and is involved with the nonprofits Unbound, Humane Society of the United States, and the United Service Organizations.[2][11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Nicolaou, Elena (2023-12-08). "How the winner of 'Squid Game: The Challenge' plans to use the 4.56 million". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Passing goodness on". Unbound. April 15, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Who is Mai Whelan? Squid Game's first winner awaits millions amid tax tangle". The Economic Times. 2023-12-09. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  4. ^ a b "Meet the 'Squid Game: The Challenge' Winner". Esquire. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  5. ^ "Who won Squid Game: The Challenge?". The Independent. 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  6. ^ "Squid Game: The Challenge crowns first winner". 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  7. ^ Samson, Carl (2023-12-13). "She survived the Vietnam War. Now she's won 'Squid Game'". NextShark. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  8. ^ updated, Quinci LeGardye last (2023-12-08). "Mai Whelan Is Still Waiting to Receive the $4.56 Million Prize After Winning 'Squid Game: The Challenge'". Marie Claire Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  9. ^ a b O'Sullivan, John (December 19, 2023). "Squid Game: The Challenge winner is a decorated former US Navy veteran". Irish Daily Star. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  10. ^ Kelleher, Colleen (December 7, 2023). "'Squid Game' Competitor Mai Whelan of Falls Church Wins $4.56". Northern Virginia Magazine. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  11. ^ Starling, Morgan (February 1, 2024). "Winner of Squid Game: The Challenge settles in Swansboro, plans to use $4.56 million winnings for good". Jacksonville Daily News. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
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