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Nick_Vujicic

Nick Vujicic

Also known as: Nicholas James Vujicic

Global Christian evangelist and motivational speaker sharing hope in Jesus across 80+ countries.

Born in Melbourne to Serbian immigrant parents, Nick Vujicic entered the world without arms or legs, leaving his family initially shocked and heartbroken, while also facing systemic barriers such as laws that initially kept him out of mainstream school. As he grew up, he endured intense bullying and feelings of worthlessness, which culminated in a suicide attempt by drowning at around age 10, but surviving that moment eventually led him to adopt a mindset centered on gratitude, faith in Jesus and the belief that his life could be used to help others.

In secondary school he became a student leader and started sharing short testimonies, discovering that his vulnerability gave hope to other students facing different kinds of pain. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Financial Planning) at Griffith University, speaking occasionally while studying, and by his early twenties decided to dedicate himself full‑time to motivational and evangelistic work. In 2005 he relocated to southern California, founding Life Without Limbs/NickV Ministries to bring large‑scale evangelistic events to countries on every continent, while also building Attitude Is Altitude to serve secular audiences, especially students affected by bullying and low self‑esteem.

Over the following decades he authored multiple bestselling books, created DVDs and online content, and travelled relentlessly, addressing topics such as bullying, depression, leadership, relationships and faith, always emphasizing that circumstances do not define a person’s value. His role in the short film The Butterfly Circus showcased his acting ability and deepened his profile beyond the church world, earning him festival awards and helping to spread his story on social media and in classrooms worldwide. At the same time, he built a family life with his wife Kanae and their four children, often describing his marriage and fatherhood as living proof that love and purpose are not limited by physical disability

  • Born on: 04/12/1982
  • Birth Place: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • City: Texas
  • Profession: Christian evangelist, Motivational speaker, Inspirational speaker, Bestselling author, Ministry founder and CEO (NickV Ministries / Life Without Limbs)
  • Expertise: Overcoming adversity, Disability and resilience, Christian faith and evangelism, Hope: purpose and meaning in life, Anti‑bullying and youth motivation, Mental health: depression and suicide prevention, Leadership and personal development, Social and emotional learning (SEL), Public speaking and storytelling, Marriage: family and relationships

Key personal details

Full name: Nicholas James Vujicic

Common / Alternate name: Nick Vujicic; Serbian form “Nikolas Vujicić / Ник Вујичић”

Date of birth: 4 December 1982

Place of birth: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Citizenship: Australian-American

Ethnic background: Serbian descent; parents emigrated from former Yugoslavia

Religion: Christian; raised Serbian Orthodox, later associated with evangelical / Protestant churches

Disability: Tetra-amelia syndrome (born without arms and legs, with one small foot with two toes)

Family and early life

Parents: Borislav (Boris) Vujicic and Dušanka (Dushka) Vujicic, Serbian Christian immigrants to Australia; his father later became a pastor in the Apostolic Christian Church

Siblings: At least two siblings- a sister, Michelle, and a brother, Aaron

Childhood: Experienced bullying and depression; at one point attempted suicide by drowning before choosing to live with faith and gratitude

Education:

  • Attended mainstream school in Queensland after legal changes allowed students with disabilities to enroll
  • Graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Commerce, double major in Accounting and Financial Planning (around 2003, age 21)

Own Family:

Wife: Kanae (Miyahara) Vujicic; married 12 February 2012

Children:

  • Son: Kiyoshi James (born 2013)
  • Son: Dejan Levi (born 2015)
  • Twin daughters: Ellie Laurel and Olivia Lei (born December 2017, just before Christmas)

Residence: Collin County, Texas / Southern California area, United States (based in the U.S. since the mid-2000s)

Career, jobs and work

Ministries and organizations

Life Without Limbs / NickV Ministries:

  • Founded an international non-profit ministry in Southern California in 2005 (originally Life Without Limbs, now NickV Ministries / NickV Ministries, Inc.)
  • Serves as President and CEO; mission focuses on preaching the Gospel worldwide and supporting brokenhearted and marginalized communities
  • Ministry reports over one million people have made decisions for Christ through its global outreaches

Attitude Is Altitude (AIA):

  • Founded around 2007 as a secular motivational speaking and education company
  • Created the “Attitude Is Altitude” anti-bullying and values curriculum, widely used in schools and focused on Gen Z

Speaking and media work

  • Began sharing his story as a teenager in church, prayer groups, and as a student leader
  • By his early 20s, was speaking globally at schools, churches, business events, and conferences
  • Delivered approximately 3,000–3,500 talks across 57–78 countries, sometimes to audiences as large as 800,000 people
  • Frequent guest on television interviews and documentaries, including an ABC 20/20 feature in 2008

Writing and publishing

Nick Vujicic is a bestselling author of Christian and motivational books.
Major titles include:

  • Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life
  • Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action
  • Limitless: Devotions for a Ridiculously Good Life
  • Stand Strong: You Can Overcome Bullying (and Other Stuff That Keeps You Down)
  • Love Without Limits: A Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All
  • Multiple devotional, youth-focused editions, and international translations

He has also produced motivational DVDs, including
Biography of a Determined Man of Faith.

Film, acting and other projects

  • Starred as Will in the award-winning short film
    The Butterfly Circus
  • Appeared in short films, documentaries, and online series centered on his life and message
  • Collaborated with education and sports organizations, including speaking to the USA Men’s Senior National Water Polo Team and participating in training sessions as a motivational experience

Achievements

  • Founded Life Without Limbs (now NickV Ministries), a global non-profit Christian ministry reaching millions of people across 60+ countries
  • Built a parallel secular platform, Attitude Is Altitude, including school curricula focused on anti-bullying and social-emotional learning
  • International and New York Times bestselling author of books including Life Without Limits, Unstoppable, Limitless, Stand Strong, and Love Without Limits
  • Starred in the award-winning short film The Butterfly Circus, which brought his story to a wider global audience
  • Has spoken at major global forums including the World Economic Forum and Nordic Business Forum, meeting presidents and prime ministers and influencing discussions on disability inclusion

Awards & Recognition

Australian Young Citizen Award (1990)

Civic award recognizing his bravery and perseverance as a young person living without limbs.

Young Australian of the Year (nom.) (2005)

Nominated/contender for national Young Australian of the Year for inspirational impact and advocacy.

Australian Well Done Award (2007)

Honor from Kingdom Assignment organization for exemplary Christian service and public witness.

Best Actor in a Short Film (2010)

Won Best Actor at Method Fest Independent Film Festival for role in The Butterfly Circus.

Doorpost Film Project - top prize (2009)

The Butterfly Circus won the Doorpost Film Project’s top prize, raising his profile as an actor and inspirational figure.

Feel Good Film Festival - Best Short (2010)

The Butterfly Circus received Best Short Film at The Feel Good Film Festival in Hollywood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Australian-American motivational speaker born without arms or legs due to tetra-amelia syndrome, founder of Life Without Limbs, and New York Times bestselling author.

He uses his “chicken drumstick” foot for typing, writing, and sports like surfing; adapted daily tasks through perseverance and family support from childhood.

“Attitude is altitude” – transform obstacles into opportunities through faith, hope, and purpose; no arms, no legs, no worries defines his fearless outlook.

Yes, at age 10 from bullying and despair, but a realization about his family’s love stopped him, leading to his inspirational path at 17.

Bestsellers like Life Without Limits, Unstoppable, and Limitless, sharing his story of resilience, faith, and living with purpose.

Married to Kanae Miyahara since 2012; father of four children, proving relationships and family thrive beyond physical limitations.

Bachelor of Commerce from Griffith University (double major in accountancy and financial planning), graduated at 21 despite challenges.

His nonprofit founded at 17, promoting anti-bullying, hope, and purpose; reached 78 countries and millions through speeches and curriculum.

Partners with schools via Attitude Is Altitude program, sharing his bullying experiences to teach resilience and value in Gen Z students.

Contact via nickvujicic.com or agencies; he speaks to millions annually on stages up to 800,000 attendees worldwide.

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