What Happened to Tonya Harding? What Did Tonya Harding Do?
by Mathelene
Updated Jun 19, 2023
Who is Tonya Harding?
Tonya Maxene Price, formerly known as Tonya Harding, is an American former figure skater, retired boxer, and reality television personality. She was born on November 12, 1970, in Portland, Oregon, and was primarily raised by her mother. At the young age of three, Harding started ice skating lessons, and her dedication to the sport led her to drop out of high school to focus on training.
Harding's talent propelled her through the ranks of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships between 1986 and 1989. She achieved significant milestones in her career, including winning the 1989 Skate America competition, becoming a two-time U.S. champion in 1991 and 1994, and earning a silver medal at the 1991 World Championships.
Notably, in 1991, she became the first American woman and the second woman in history to successfully execute a triple Axel in competition. Harding also represented the United States in two Olympic Games and secured victory twice at the Skate America Championships.
However, Harding's career took a dramatic turn in January 1994 when her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, orchestrated an attack on her fellow U.S. skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan. In March 1994, Harding accepted a plea bargain, admitting her involvement in conspiring to hinder prosecution. Consequently, the United States Figure Skating Association imposed a lifetime ban on her on June 30, 1994, due to her association with the assault on Kerrigan.
Following her figure skating career, Harding ventured into professional boxing from 2003 to 2004. Her life has been the subject of numerous books, films, documentaries, and academic studies. In 2017, the film "I, Tonya" was released, featuring Australian actress Margot Robbie portraying Harding. She participated in the reality show "Dancing with the Stars" in 2018, finishing in third place, and emerged as the winner of "Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition" in 2019.
What Happened to Tonya Harding?
Tonya's former husband allegedly orchestrated an attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, in January 1994. Kerrigan was struck on her right leg with a baton, preventing her from participating in the Olympics and potentially opening the door for Tonya's selection. However, Tonya denied any involvement in the attack and stated that she did not ask her husband to carry it out.
In a subsequent interview, she admitted to sensing something amiss in her ex-husband's behavior but regretted not recognizing the signs before the incident occurred. Her ex-husband was ultimately sentenced to two years of imprisonment. Tonya Harding revealed that she faced significant blame and backlash for the entire incident.
When she placed 8th at the Olympics while Nancy Kerrigan emerged as the winner, some people attributed it to karma, referencing Tonya's broken shoelaces during her performance. Tonya shared that she experienced mistreatment from the public, including the delivery of mice to her residence.
As a result of being banned from professional figure skating, she made a career shift towards boxing. In 2002, she participated in the Fox Network Celebrity Boxing event and emerged victorious against Paula Jones. Tonya achieved success in several boxing competitions, but her asthma posed a limitation to her boxing career. In 2019, she was featured in a television commercial endorsing direct auto insurance.
What was the Tragedy of Tonya Harding?
The sports scandal that reverberated across the globe unfolded approximately seven weeks prior to the 1994 Olympic Winter Games. In a shocking turn of events, Nancy Kerrigan, a prominent figure skater and Tonya Harding's fierce rival was subjected to a vicious attack when an assailant struck her knee with a club.
As investigations progressed, authorities swiftly concluded that Tonya Harding was somehow implicated in the incident. It was alleged that her former husband, Jeff Gillooly, had purportedly orchestrated the assault by hiring the attacker. The revelation added a new dimension of complexity to the unfolding drama surrounding the highly competitive world of figure skating.
The scandal not only captivated the attention of sports enthusiasts but also captivated a global audience, as it shed light on the intense rivalries and cutthroat nature of competitive sports. The controversy surrounding Tonya Harding and her alleged involvement in the attack on Nancy Kerrigan became a topic of intense media scrutiny and public fascination.
The ramifications of the incident extended beyond the realm of sports, permeating popular culture and generating heated debates about ethics, fairness, and the pursuit of athletic excellence. The scandal ultimately had far-reaching consequences for Tonya Harding's personal and professional life.
It tarnished her reputation and led to legal repercussions. The incident also had a profound impact on the landscape of figure skating, prompting discussions about the importance of sportsmanship and the dark underbelly that can sometimes lurk beneath the surface of seemingly glamorous competitions.
What is Tonya Harding Doing Now?
Tonya Harding, once a renowned figure skater of great fame, faced a transformative turning point in her life due to her involvement in a scandal that shook the sport in 1994. Now, nearly three decades later, she resides in Vancouver, Canada, leading a serene existence alongside her husband and son.
Following the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, it came to light that Harding's ex-husband and bodyguard had colluded to harm her primary competitor, Nancy Kerrigan, just before the event. Although Harding maintained her innocence regarding knowledge of the attack, she pleaded guilty to conspiring to impede the prosecution of the assailants and received a lifelong ban from participating in figure skating.
Since then, Tonya Harding has largely maintained a low public profile. While she briefly pursued a career in professional boxing and made appearances on reality shows such as "Celebrity Boxing" and "Worst Cooks in America," she predominantly prefers a private lifestyle.
In recent years, Harding has established her home in Vancouver with her husband, Joseph Jens Price, whom she married in 2010, and their son, Gordon. The family chooses to reside away from the media's previous intense focus on Harding's life. In candid interviews, Tonya Harding has openly discussed the profound impact that the events of 1994 had on her personal journey.
Despite the challenges, she still holds a deep affection for figure skating and expresses a wish that she could have continued competing. However, she has found acceptance in her past and presently concentrates on the well-being of her family.
Tonya Harding Boxing
In 2002, Tonya Harding participated in the Fox Network Celebrity Boxing event, where she faced off against Paula Jones and emerged victorious in the fight. Subsequently, on February 22, 2003, Harding made her official debut as a professional women's boxer. However, she experienced a loss in a four-round split decision against Samantha Browning, which took place as part of the undercard for the Mike Tyson vs. Clifford Etienne match.
There were speculations surrounding Harding's entry into the boxing arena, with rumors suggesting that financial difficulties may have been a motivating factor for her decision to pursue boxing as a means to earn money. In another notable celebrity boxing match on The Man Show, Harding triumphed over co-host Doug Stanhope. However, Stanhope later claimed on his podcast that the fight was predetermined because Harding refused to face a male opponent.
On March 23, 2004, a reported death threat against Tonya Harding resulted in the cancellation of a planned boxing match against Tracy Carlton in Oakland, California. Later that year, on June 24, 2004, Harding suffered a defeat in a match against Amy Johnson held in Edmonton, Alberta. During this event, fans reportedly booed Harding upon her entrance to the ring, while expressing enthusiastic support for Johnson's victory in the third round.
Regrettably, Harding's boxing career was curtailed due to her asthma condition, which posed limitations on her ability to continue competing in the sport. In total, her professional boxing record consisted of three wins and three losses.
How Old is Tonya Harding?
Tonya Maxene Harding is currently 52 years old as of 2023. Born on November 12, 1970, in Portland, Oregon, Her parents are LaVona Golden (born 1940) and Albert Harding (1933–2009). During her childhood, her father held various jobs, although he faced challenges with employment due to poor health.
Tonya grew up in East Portland and began figure skating at the age of three under the guidance of her coach, Diane Rawlinson. In addition to skating, she developed skills in hunting, drag racing, and auto mechanics, which she learned from her father. Tonya's mother, LaVona, worked as a waitress and sewed her daughter's skating costumes by hand to save money, as the family faced financial struggles.
Her parents divorced when she was 16 years old, after 19 years of marriage, in 1987. Tonya decided to leave David Douglas High School during her sophomore year to dedicate herself to skating. She later obtained a General Educational Development (GED) Certificate in 1988, emphasizing her commitment to her athletic pursuits.
What Happened to Tonya Harding? - FAQs
Seven weeks before the 1994 Olympic Winter Games, Tonya Harding's skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan, was clubbed on the knee by an assailant.
Harding was jealous of Kerrigan, and the attack was meant to stop Kerrigan from competing, ostensibly so that Harding could get all the glory.
Tonya Harding is a former American figure skater, retired boxer, and reality television personality.
Yes, Tonya Harding competed as a professional boxer from 2003 to 2004. She participated in various boxing matches during that time.
Yes, Harding's life and skating career have been the subject of several films, documentaries, and television shows.