Sonja Henie

Date of Birth: April 8, 1912

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: October 12, 1969

Biography

Sonja Henie was a Norwegian figure skater and film star, born on April 8, 1912, in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway. She is considered one of the greatest figure skaters of all time. Henie won three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, and 1936), ten consecutive World Championships from 1927 to 1936, and six consecutive European Championships from 1931 to 1936. Her innovative style and glamorous costumes revolutionized the sport of figure skating. After her competitive career, Henie turned to professional skating and starred in a series of successful Hollywood films, such as “One in a Million” (1936) and “Sun Valley Serenade” (1941). She became one of the highest-paid actresses of her time and played a significant role in popularizing figure skating in the United States. Henie was also a savvy businesswoman, producing ice shows and founding the Sonja Henie Ice Revue. She married three times but had no children. Henie passed away on October 12, 1969, from leukemia.

5 Interesting Facts about Sonja Henie

1. Henie started skating at the age of six and won her first Norwegian national championship at the age of 10.

2. She is the only woman to have won three Olympic gold medals in figure skating.

3. Henie was inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1976.

4. She was known for her distinctive white boots, short skirts, and choreographed routines, which were revolutionary at the time.

5. Henie also had a passion for art and collected an impressive array of works, some of which are now displayed at the Henie Onstad Art Centre in Norway.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sonja Henie

1. “I want to do with skates what Fred Astaire is doing with dancing.”

2. “The world never puts a price on you higher than the one you put on yourself.”

3. “You must love what you do, otherwise you will never be able to do it well.”

4. “Figure skating is not just a sport; it’s an art form.”

5. “You have to have a dream and a drive to succeed.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her career, Sonja Henie’s net worth was estimated to be around $47 million, which would be equivalent to several hundred million dollars today, accounting for inflation.