Tonya Harding

Tonya Maxene Harding was born on November 12, 1970, in Portland, Oregon, USA. She grew up in a difficult environment and began skating at the age of three. Harding quickly showed talent, rising through the ranks of the figure skating world with her athletic abilities.

On February 16, 1991, Tonya Harding won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. This victory was significant because she became the first American woman to successfully land a triple Axel in competition. This jump solidified her reputation as a powerful and technically skilled skater.

Competing in the 1992 Winter Olympics held in Albertville, France, Tonya Harding finished in fourth place. Despite her strong technical skills, she was unable to secure a spot on the podium, drawing attention to both her athleticism and competitive struggles.

Tonya Harding took second place at the 1993 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. This performance demonstrated her continued excellence in the sport, although she struggled to maintain the same level of dominance as in previous years.

On January 6, 1994, Nancy Kerrigan, a leading competitor and rival of Tonya Harding, was attacked after a practice session in Detroit. The attack, orchestrated by Harding's ex-husband Jeff Gillooly and her bodyguard, sought to prevent Kerrigan from competing. This incident became one of the most talked-about scandals in sports history.

Following the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding faced intense scrutiny and legal issues. On February 15, 1994, she pleaded guilty to conspiring to hinder prosecution regarding the assault, leading to her being banned from the U.S. Figure Skating Association and stripping of her national titles.

Despite the controversy surrounding the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding was allowed to compete in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Her performance was marred by a broken lace incident, and she finished in eighth place while Kerrigan secured the silver medal.

On June 30, 1994, the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) decided to ban Tonya Harding for life from participating in USFSA events as either a skater or coach. This ruling marked the end of her professional skating career and was a significant fallout from the attack on Nancy Kerrigan.

Tonya Harding was sentenced on July 21, 1994, for her involvement in hindering the prosecution related to the attack on Nancy Kerrigan. Her penalty included three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $160,000 fine. This legal outcome further emphasized the consequences of the scandal.

After being banned from figure skating, Tonya Harding embarked on a career as a professional boxer. Her first match took place on October 10, 1996. Although her boxing career was short-lived, it marked her attempt to navigate a life and career beyond figure skating.

Tonya Harding participated in her final professional boxing match on June 26, 2003. Although she had some success, her overall record was mixed. This final bout closed another chapter in her tumultuous career in the world of sports.

On June 16, 2010, Tonya Harding married Joseph Price. This marked a new beginning in her personal life. Despite the scandals and challenges, she worked to rebuild her life away from the public eye with her new husband.

Tonya Harding gave birth to her first child, a son named Gordon, on February 19, 2011. This event marked a significant positive milestone in her personal life, as she embraced the role of motherhood and sought stability and happiness away from past controversies.

The biographical film 'I, Tonya,' which details the life and career of Tonya Harding, was released on December 8, 2017. The movie received critical acclaim, and actress Margot Robbie earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Harding. The film brought renewed attention to Harding's story, highlighting the complexities of her life and the infamous scandal.

Tonya Harding attended the Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2018, as a guest. The event marked a significant moment in her life, as she was recognized amid the renewed interest in her story following the release of 'I, Tonya.' Her presence at the awards highlighted the long-lasting impact of her life story on popular culture.

Tonya Harding competed in the 26th season of 'Dancing with the Stars,' which premiered on March 12, 2018. Her participation in the show was seen as part of her effort to reshape her public image and allowed audiences to see a different side of her personality beyond the skating rink.