In 1998, beautiful Olympic sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner, “FloJo,” died in her sleep at the age of 38. A blazing comet, she was called the fastest woman in the world and left behind a legacy of living boldly with flash and flair. “I like being unconventional,” she once said.

Her 100-meter world record of 10.49 seconds, set at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials, remains unbroken. Sports Illustrated declared it would likely stand for decades. And it has.

That same year in Seoul, she astonished the world, winning gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter sprints and the 400-meter relay. Not bad for a girl from Watts, California, who believed in her ability. “People don't pay much attention to you when you are second best,” she explained. “I wanted to see what it felt like to be number one.”

FloJo didn’t just run fast—she ran fierce. With long fingernails, flying hair, and signature one-legged outfits, she brought greatness and glamour to the track. “Looking good is almost as important as running well,” she said. “It’s part of feeling good about myself.”

After retiring, she launched a foundation to uplift disadvantaged youth through athletics and education. When fans asked how to be like her, her answer was filled with humility: “Don’t be just like me. Be better than me.”

“In the beginning, she was one of 11,” wrote sports journalist Jim Huber. “In the end, she was one of a kind.”