Elizabeth Thorsen Wiki – Elizabeth Thorsen Biography
Elizabeth Thorsen is known as the widowed wife of the late Rafer Johnson, an American former decathlete and film actor. He was the 1960 Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon, having won silver in 1956.
The breathtaking Olympic gold medal winner who became an adored symbol of good sportsmanship and civic generosity, died Wednesday, December 2nd at his home in Sherman Oaks. He was 86. The Olympian’s death was confirmed by his family.
Johnson qualified for both the decathlon and the long jump events for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. However, he was hampered by an injury and forfeited his place in the long jump. Despite this handicap, he managed to take second place in the decathlon behind compatriot Milt Campbell. It would turn out to be his last defeat in the event.
At UCLA, Johnson also played basketball under legendary coach John Wooden and was a starter on the 1958–59 men’s basketball team. Wooden considered Johnson a great defensive player, but sometimes regretted holding back his teams early in his coaching career, remarking, “imagine Rafer Johnson on the break.”
Elizabeth Thorsen Age
Elizabeth Thorsen’s age is unknown.
Elizabeth Thorsen & Rafer Johnson Chidlren
On December 18, 1971, Johnson married Elizabeth “Betsy” Thorsen, a middle school teacher in Orange County, California. The couple had two children: Jennifer, born in 1973; and Joshua, born in 1975. The family moved to Sherman Oaks, California, in 1973.
Twenty-four years after his gold-medal victory, Johnson relived his Olympic glory days by running the final lap of the opening ceremonies relay and lighting the Olympic torch for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. In 1990 he was elected to the National High School Hall of Fame, and in 1992 he received the Humanitarian Award from Free Arts for Abused Children.
In 2000 Johnson realized a unique dream, and what he called his greatest moment when he watched his own daughter compete in the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.