Tonya Harding, now known as Tonya Price, is a name that will forever be associated with both remarkable athletic achievements and one of the most infamous scandals in sports history. With a net worth estimated at around $150,000, Harding’s life has been a whirlwind of triumphs, controversies, and rebirth. But how did this former figure skater go from being a champion to a headline in one of the most shocking stories in sports?
How Did Tonya Harding Start Her Skating Career?
Born on November 12, 1970, in Portland, Oregon, Tonya Maxene Harding’s journey into the world of figure skating began at the tender age of three. Her mother, LaVona, worked hard to support Tonya’s training, even hand-sewing her skating outfits since the family could not afford to buy them. Harding’s early skating career was challenging due to her family’s limited financial resources, but her natural talent and determination kept her progressing.
By the late 1980s, Harding had made a name for herself in competitive figure skating. She placed sixth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 1986 and gradually improved over the next few years. Her breakthrough came in 1991 when she became the first American woman to land the elusive triple axel during competition, an achievement that remains one of her greatest accomplishments.
What Made Tonya Harding a Star?
Harding’s performance at the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships cemented her place in history. Not only did she execute the triple axel, but she also won the U.S. Ladies’ Singles title. That same year, she finished second in the World Championships, a significant achievement that catapulted her to the top of the figure skating world.
Harding was known for her athleticism and boldness on the ice, setting her apart from many of her more traditionally elegant competitors. Her style was powerful and commanding, and she quickly became a favorite among fans and judges alike. She represented a new kind of female figure skater—strong, daring, and unafraid to push the limits.
How Did the Nancy Kerrigan Scandal Unfold?
Despite her talents, Harding’s career would take a dramatic turn after the infamous attack on fellow figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. On January 6, during a practice session for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Kerrigan was attacked as she stepped off the ice. The assailant struck her knee with a blunt object, leaving her injured and temporarily sidelined.
It was soon revealed that the attack had been orchestrated by Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and his associate Shawn Eckhardt. Though Harding initially denied any involvement, evidence later suggested that she had knowledge of the attack both before and after it happened. In a plea deal, Harding admitted to hindering prosecution by failing to come forward about her knowledge of the plan.
As a result of the scandal, Harding was stripped of her 1994 U.S. Championships title and banned from competitive figure skating for life by the United States Figure Skating Association. The scandal tarnished Harding’s reputation and left her career in ruins. However, she remained a public figure, whether she wanted to or not, as the story captivated the world.
What Was Tonya Harding’s Life After Skating?
After being banned from competitive figure skating, Harding’s life took several surprising turns. In the early 2000s, she pursued a career in professional boxing. In February 2003, she made her debut in the ring, but her boxing career was short-lived. After a handful of matches, including some celebrity boxing events, Harding retired from the sport due to health concerns, specifically asthma.
In addition to boxing, Harding took on various jobs to make ends meet. She worked as a painter, welder, deck builder, and clerk at a Sears hardware store. Life after skating wasn’t glamorous, but Harding remained determined to rebuild herself after the scandal that defined her past.
How Did “I, Tonya” Reframe Her Story?
One of the most significant moments in Harding’s post-skating life came in 2017 with the release of the film I, Tonya. The film, starring Margot Robbie as Harding, depicted her rise in figure skating, the Kerrigan scandal, and her complex relationship with her mother and ex-husband. It received critical acclaim, winning numerous awards and earning Robbie an Academy Award nomination.
The film portrayed Harding as a victim of her circumstances, highlighting her difficult upbringing and abusive relationships. It presented a more nuanced view of Harding, reframing her as less of a villain and more of a woman caught in a storm of poor decisions and toxic influences. Harding reportedly received $1,500 for licensing her story to the filmmakers, with additional bonuses based on the film’s performance.
The release of I, Tonya helped rehabilitate Harding’s public image to some extent. While she would never fully escape the shadow of the Kerrigan scandal, the film allowed people to see her as a multi-dimensional figure rather than just a tabloid headline.
What Is Tonya Harding’s Personal Life Like Today?
Harding’s personal life has also been marked by turbulence and challenges. She married Jeff Gillooly when she was just 19, but their relationship was volatile, and they divorced in 1993. After her divorce from Gillooly, Harding had a short-lived marriage to Michael Smith from 1995 to 1996.
In 2010, Harding married Joseph Price, and the couple welcomed their son, Gordon, in 2011. She has since lived a quieter life, focusing on her family and keeping out of the public eye as much as possible. Despite her rocky past, Harding has expressed hope for a peaceful and stable future, away from the media spotlight that once consumed her.
What Is Tonya Harding’s Legacy?
Tonya Harding’s legacy is a complicated one. On one hand, she is remembered for her remarkable achievements in figure skating, particularly being the first American woman to land a triple axel in competition. On the other hand, the Nancy Kerrigan scandal remains a defining chapter in her life, overshadowing many of her accomplishments.
Despite her troubled past, Harding’s resilience and ability to adapt to new challenges have kept her in the public consciousness. Whether as a figure skater, boxer, or subject of a Hollywood film, Harding’s life continues to fascinate and inspire discussions about redemption, perseverance, and the complexities of public life.
While her net worth may not reflect the highs of a successful Olympic career, Tonya Harding’s journey from figure skating sensation to scandalized public figure, and ultimately to a Hollywood subject, showcases the complexities of her life and the human spirit’s capacity for reinvention.
