Simone Hennebert

Born in Bruxelles (Brussels), Simone Hennebert was one of two daughters born to Jules and Louise (née Fubiani) Hennebert. She spent most of her youth growing up in England, where she was a member of the Mermaid Swimming Club in London. There, she became active in diving events and also performed at exhibitions run by the British Amateur Diving Association. In 1924, Hennebert was chosen to represent her country of birth at the Olympic Games and was the first Belgian female diving Olympian. In Paris, Hennebert competed in the second pool of entrants with four other divers. She finished in last place in her heat of the high diving competition, which also featured Mermaid Swimming Club members Verrall Newman and Eileen Armstrong, representing Great Britain. Following the Olympics, she continued to reside in London, marrying twice and having five children. Hennebert was also an active golf and tennis player.

In 1953, she immigrated to the United States with her mother, husband and children and took up residence in Darien, Connecticut. There, she continued to play golf and tennis, and involved herself in civic affairs. Hennebert died in Stamford, Connecticut in 1957 at the age of 53. Almost 100 years after her Olympic appearance, she was still the only woman to compete for Belgium in diving at the Olympic Games.