Joan Anderson, inventor of the hula hoop, dies at 101
Joan Anderson, an Australian woman whose role in introducing the hula hoop to the world went largely unrecognized for decades, has passed away. Anderson moved to the United States in 1946 but rediscovered the hoop craze years later during a visit to family in Australia. There, she saw groups of people laughing as they twirled wooden hoops around their waists, sparking her curiosity.
After returning to the U.S., Anderson received a bamboo hoop from her mother. A friend noted that the hip movement while using the toy resembled the Hawaiian hula dance, which inspired the name “hula hoop.” In the 2018 documentary Hula Girl, Anderson shared how she and her husband negotiated with an executive from the toy company Wham-O, agreeing to share profits if the hoop took off. Wham-O patented the hula hoop in 1963, turning it into a wildly popular fad that sold millions. Despite this, Anderson’s contribution remained unacknowledged for years, prompting her and her husband to file a lawsuit against Wham-O. While they received some financial compensation, public recognition largely eluded her. Anderson also had a career as a model alongside Marilyn Monroe and was a mother of four. Her family announced she passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, surrounded by loved ones, describing her life as wonderful.
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