[1] Fraser was born in the Sydney suburb of Balmain, New South Wales, in 1937 into a poor working-class family, the youngest of eight children.

[3] She was spotted at the early age of 14 by Sydney coach Harry Gallagher swimming at the local harbourside baths.

As a highlight of her swimming career, Fraser held 39 records and won eight Olympic medals for Australia, including four gold.

She dominated the high profile 100 metres freestyle event, holding the record for 15 years from 1 December 1956 to 8 January 1972.

[1][12] Fraser married Gary Ware on 30 January 1965 at St Stephen’s Church, Macquarie Street, Sydney.

[16] In 1997, Fraser told the ABC: "I mean I wish I could be as outspoken, I suppose, as Pauline Hanson and say, 'look, I'm sick and tired of the immigrants that are coming into my country.'"

Kyrgios responded by describing her as a "blatant racist", and Fraser's comments were criticised by Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane.

On 1 September 2015, Dawn Fraser featured on Season 7, Episode 5, of the SBS genealogy television series Who Do You Think You Are?, which traced her heritage back to South America.

Lauded as an Australian hero, Fraser was named the Australian of the Year in 1964,[22] was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965,[23] was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) using her married name Dawn Ware in 1967,[24] and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1998.

[27] In 1999 the International Olympic Committee named her the World's Greatest Living Female Water Sports Champion.

[28] On 14 July 2000, Fraser was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for "outstanding contribution as a swimming competitor".