Mike Burton: key obituary facts
Is Mike Burton dead? Yes. Mike Burton died on September 18, 2026, at age 79.
Cause of death: Mike Burton's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Mike Burton known for?
He was an American swimmer.
More about Mike Burton
Born: 3 July 1947.
Place of birth: Des Moines.
Gender: male.
Occupation: swimmer.
Nationality: United States.
Education: University of California, Los Angeles, El Camino Fundamental High School.
Awards: International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Also known as: Michael Jay Burton.
Mike Burton, an American Olympic swimmer and later swimming coach, died on September 18, 2026, aged 79.
Born Michael Jay Burton in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 3, 1947, he became one of the country’s leading distance freestylers, competing for UCLA and winning three Olympic gold medals. Burton also held world records in two freestyle distance events and was recognized by the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
After his competitive career, he went on to work as a swimming coach.