Sonja Henie

Sonja Henie was a Norwegian figure skater and film star who dominated the sport for more than a decade. She won three Olympic gold medals, ten world championships, and six European championships. She was the first woman to perform ballet movements on ice and to wear short skirts and white boots. She also revolutionized the sport by introducing new spins, jumps, and choreography. After turning professional in 1936, she starred in a series of Hollywood movies that showcased her skating skills and made her one of the highest-paid actresses of her time. She also produced and headlined her own ice shows that toured around the world. She was known for her glamour, charm, and charisma, as well as her controversial political views and associations. She became a U.S. citizen in 1941 and married three times, the last one to a Norwegian shipping magnate and art collector. She died of leukemia in 1969 at the age of 57. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time and a pioneer of the sport and entertainment industry.