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Tonya Harding

An American Former Figure Skater, Retired Boxer And A Reality Television Personality

Tonya Harding
Tonya Harding. Source: Google

Tonya Harding is retired boxer and former figure skater from the United States. Harding was born in the city of Portland, Oregon, in the United States.

Moreover, He was reared mostly by her mother, who taught her Ice Skating at the age of three.

Who is Tonya Harding? Childhood, Parents, Education, and Nationality

Tonya Harding was born in the United States, in the city of Portland. Albert Harding and LaVona Fay Golden are her parents.

The Harding family was impoverished and lived in a trailer. Tonya’s enthusiasm for skating has cost her parents money since she began skating at the age of three.

To keep the family afloat, her father worked a variety of jobs. He worked as an apartment manager, a truck driver, and at a bait-and-tackle shop, a rubber manufacturer, and other places.

Tonya’s father, on the other hand, was frequently unemployed or unable to work owing to his ill health.

Harding’s mother, meanwhile, worked as a waitress, bartender, chef, and other occupations to make ends meet.

Other than Tonya, Albert was LaVona’s third spouse, and she had three additional children with him. Her parents only had one child, and she was that one. Likewise, Tonya holds American nationality.

How did Tonya Harding start her Professional Career?

Skating Career

Tonya began ice skating when she was just three years old. Her mother, on the other hand, claimed that when she first skated, she exuded talent and was a natural.

Diane Rawlinson was her first coach. Furthermore, in the mid-1980s, Harding began to shine and show her true potential.

Tonya Harding skating
Tonya Harding skating. Source: Google

Harding was awarded the Moscow News Prize in 1988-89. The former skater began training with Dody Teachman the following year and saw significant improvements.

Tonya won the 1989 Skate America and 1989 Nations Cup, but due to asthma and flu, she finished seventh in the 1990 US Championships. Not to mention, the aspiring skater’s best was yet to come.

Making History

She made history in 1991 when she completed her first triple axle at the US Championships, becoming the first American woman to do so. As a result, Harding was crowned US Champion in 1991.

She also won Skate America in 1991, where she successfully performed the triple axle once more. Unfortunately, her career took a turn for the worse after that.

Her ankle was twisted during practice in 1992, and she finished third in the US Championship and fourth in the Winter Olympics. Despite this, she took first place in the 1992 Skate America.

 

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A post shared by Tonya Harding (@therealtonyaharding)

Because of her poor performance in the US Championship the following year, she did not qualify for the World Championships.

Finally, she won the US Championships in 1994, but her position was quickly vacated. She finished eighth in the Winter Olympics and third in the Skate America competition.

Boxing Career

Tonya turned to box as a professional career after the USFSA banned her from competitive skating for life. She won a fight against Paula Jones on the Fox Network’s Celebrity Boxing event in 2002.

Her professional boxing career, however, began in 2003 when she faced Samantha Browning. The former figure skater was defeated by a split decision in the fight.

She faced Shannon Birmingham, Alejandra Lopez, and Emily Gosa in her next fights. Harding was victorious in all three fights by unanimous decision.

Melissa Yanas and Amy Johnson were her last two opponents, both of whom she knocked out. Tonya’s boxing career was unfortunately cut short due to her Asthma.

Others

She has appeared in a few TV shows and movies in addition to her skating and boxing careers. For example, she was featured on truTV’s World’s Dumbest… for breaking a world record in a vintage vehicle.

She also competed with Sasha Farber in season 26 of Dancing with the Stars. Harding made it to the finals once more, but this time came in third place.

In addition, the former athlete competed in the fifth season of Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America. Tonya won the competition, and her prize money of $25,000 was donated to a charity of her choice.

You may also want to know about Richard Gasquet.

Is Tonya Harding married? Spouse & Kids

Jeff Gillooly (1990 – 1993)

She married three times as a former figure skater. Jeff Gillooly become her first partner, whom she married when she turned 19 years antique. before they married, they dated and knew every different.

Gillooly, who become additionally violent with Harding, bodily abused her. As the result, most effective 15 months into the wedding, Harding filed for divorce and a restraining order.

Tonya filed for divorce and sought a restraining order again in August 1992, however, they reunited.

When they divorced in 1993, their rocky and toxic marriage was finally put to an end. However, the two remained together. Despite this, they split up permanently after the Kerrigan incident.

Tonya also claimed that after the attack, Jeff and his two friends raped her on the back of the truck at gunpoint in the time between the Nationals and the Olympics.

Michael Smith And Joseph Price

After her divorce from Gillooly, Harding married Michael Smith, a Portland machinist, for the fourth time in 1995.

Even though their relationship appeared to be going well at first, they divorced in 1996.

Joseph Jens Price is her now-husband, and she has been married for over a decade.

Tonya Harding and Michael Smith
Tonya Harding and Michael Smith. Source: Google

Gordon Price, her first and only child was born to her on February 19, 2011. Tonya named her son Albert Gordon Harding, after her father.

How much does Tonya Harding earn? Net Worth, and Salary

Harding’s net worth is estimated to be approximately ri by many sources. Due to the rapid downfall of her skating and boxing careers, the former skater does not have a huge net worth.

Regardless, she is happy with her life. The former DWTS participant has been in several TV series and documentaries. Her involvement in the film I, Tonya earned her some money as well.

Aside from that, Harding is a stay-at-home mom who is completely dedicated to her son. Her odd jobs provide her with most of her money and wages.

How old is Tonya Harding? Height, Weight, and Body Measurement

She has been a figure skater for 51 years, having been born on November 12, 1970.

Furthermore, the former athlete is still in excellent shape, as she skates and works out regularly.

She lives a fit and healthy lifestyle. Harding stands 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 m) tall and weighs 136.6 pounds (62 kg).

How can we contact Tonya Harding? Social Media Presence

The former figure skater does not have a large following on social media. She solely uses Instagram and has 45.8 k followers.

In most of her images, Harding appears to be having a good time. Tonya doesn’t post anything about her kid or his life on her social media accounts.

 

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A post shared by Tonya Harding (@therealtonyaharding)

She wants to live a regular life outside of the spotlight, according to the former skater.

Aside from that, the former boxer uses her Instagram account to express her passion for her dogs and snow. She’s also revealed a few details from her DWTS and Worst Cook days.

Quick Facts:

  • Full Name: Tonya Maxene Price (née Harding)
  • Birthdate: November 12, 1970
  • Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, the United States
  • Nickname: Bad Girl
  • Father’s Name: Albert Harding
  • Mother’s Name: LaVona Fay Golden
  • Religion: Christian
  • Education: Milwaukie High School
  • Nationality: American
  • Siblings: (Half Brother) Chris Davison
  • Ethnicity: White
  • Age: 51 years old
  • Height: 5’1″ (1.55 m)
  • Weight: 137 lbs (62 kg)
  • Profession: Former Figure Skater, Reality TV Personality, Boxer
  • Relationship Status: Married
  • Spouse: Joseph Price
  • Kids: One son (Gordon Price)
  • Net Worth: $150 thousand
  • Social Media: Instagram

Some of the FAQs:

What happened with Tonya Harding and Kerrigan?

Three years later, Kerrigan is the victim of Harding and Gillooly’s insatiable need to win. The immediate aftermath of hired hitman Stant clubbing Kerrigan’s right knee was captured by cameras.

What did Tonya Harding do to Nancy?

Portland, Oregon, United States Harding was mired in scandal in January 1994 when her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, staged an attack on her fellow American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. Following that, both women competed in the February 1994 Winter Olympics, with Kerrigan winning a silver medal and Harding placing eighth.

What is Tonya Harding infamous for?

Tonya Harding was an American figure skater who is often regarded as the most controversial figure skater in history. Harding, unlike most figure skaters, came from an impoverished home and came from the wrong side of the tracks.

Written by Shirley Allen

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