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Amy Schneider's Historic 'Jeopardy!' Run
Amy Schneider's time on Jeopardy! was historic in many ways. The software engineering manager from Oakland, Calif., had a 40-game winning streak, making her the most successful woman and most successful transgender contestant ever on the show. Along the way she contributed to positive trans visibility, which she told The Advocate was the most rewarding aspect of her time on Jeopardy! Here's a look at some of the milestones she reached.
(Photos Courtesy of Jeopardy! Productions)
Qualifying for the Tournament of Champions
Schneider notches her fifth Jeopardy! win November 23, earning her a place in the season's Tournament of Champions. She is the first out transgender contestant to qualify for the tournament, in which the season's 15 best players compete. The show used to have contestants retire after winning five games in the regular season, but now they can go on as long as they keep winning.
The Top Woman Contestant
Schneider brings her total winnings to $687,400 with a victory December 23, surpassing Larissa Kelly, who won $655,930 in 2019, to become the highest-earning woman in Jeopardy! history.
The Wins Continue
Schneider's victory on December 29 is her 21st win, so she passes Julia Collins, a contestant from 2014, for the most games won by a woman on the show.
First Woman to Win $1 Million
With her January 7 win, Schneider passes the $1 million mark. She's the first woman and only the fourth Jeopardy! contestant overall to do so in regular-season play. "It's not a sum of money I ever anticipated would be associated with my name," she says.
Passing James Holzhauer
Schneider wins her 33rd game January 14, surpassing 2019 contestant James Holzhauer's 32-game winning streak from 2019 to go into third place on the all-time win list.
And Passing Matt Amodio
Schneider racks up her 39th win January 24, besting Matt Amodio's streak of 38. That places her second in regular-season wins. She and Amodio, who competed in 2021, will both be in the Tournament of Champions this fall.
Finishing With 40
Schneider wins her 40th consecutive game January 25. Her streak will end the next day with a loss to Rhone Talsma, a librarian from Chicago. She remains second in Jeopardy! history in terms of regular-season games won, behind Ken Jennings, who won 74 straight games in 2003 and is now a host of the show. She is fourth in terms of total regular-season cash, with $1.382 million, behind James Holzhauer, Matt Amodio, and Jennings. When tournaments are included, Brad Rutter is the all-time cash leader, followed by those three, with Schneider in fifth place. She'll have a chance to add to her winnings in the Tournament of Champions.
