Former figure skater Tonya Harding was banned for life from participating in all championships after the infamous attack on fellow figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in 1994.
Tonya Harding is a former figure skater, a retired boxer, and a television personality.
Harding, born 12 November 1970, shot to fame after winning the 1989 Skate American competition. She is a two-time Skate American Champion and a two-time Olympian.
Harding became the first American woman to land a successful triple Axel during the competition. She has won the 1991 adn 1994 U.S. championships.
She was one of the brightest figure skaters of the time and had a bright career ahead. However, the 1994 controversy ruined her career forever.
The controversy included her ex-husband who planned an attack on her long-time rival Nancy Kerrigan. So, how was Harding embroiled in the scandal?
There’s a modern day Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan scandal happening in French football. ⤵️ https://t.co/9Fhf9DchbM pic.twitter.com/LPjU4Tesiw
— FotMob (@FotMob) November 10, 2021
Tonya Harding Attack On Nancy Kerrigan Video -Controversy Case Explained On Reddit
The case of Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan is still fresh on people’s minds. After all, one can hardly a forget a controversial case like that.
The incident took place in 1994. It was a known fact that Harding and Kerrigan were rivals on the skating ground. Kerrigan was reportedly the only person standing in her way of making it into the Olympic team.
According to Reddit, Ms. Kerrigan was attacked after a practice session. She was hit on her right leg with a baton in an attempt to hinder her participation at the Olympics.
An investigation was immediately launched that eventually disclosed the attacker’s identity. The attacker was Shane Stant who was hired by Tonya Harding’s ex-husband Jeff Gillooly.
Harding’s ex-husband orchestrated the whole attack so that she could be selected for the Olympics and emerge victoriously.
Harding denied her involvement in the said attack and maintained her innocence until the last moment. She claimed she only found out about it after the deed was done.
However, she did not report the incident to the police even after she discovered what Jeff did. Fortunately, Kerrigan did not suffer lifelong injuries and healed quickly to participate in the knee.
Harding’s ex-husband was sentenced to two years of imprisonment, reported Biography.
Where Is Tonya Harding Now?
Tonya Harding has become a reality television star.
After she was banned permanently from participating in figure skating championships, Harding began a career in boxing. She participated at the Fox Network Celebrity Boxing event and defeated Paul Jones.
She led a successful boxing career but it was cut short due to her health issues. She had asthma which disabled her to further her career.
Then, she moved into television. Harding participated in the reality series Dancing with the Stars where she finished in third place.
She is the winner of Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition Season 16.
Meet Tonya Harding Ex-Husband Jeff Gillooly
Tonya Harding began dating her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly when she was 15 years old. Jeff was 17 years old at the time.
The former couple married four years after being in a relationship on March 18, 1990.
They shared a great love for each other. However, their relationship turned sour after Jeff launched an attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan.
Tonya and Jeff divorced in 1993. But, the couple kept seeing each other even after parting ways. Jeff worked part-time managing Tonya’s career.
They even rented a cheat together until 1994. Their relationship eventually ended for good. Harding moved on and got married to her second husband Michael Smith in 1995.
The marriage ended shortly after and they divorced in 1996.
Does Tonya Harding Have A Son?
Tonya Harding has a son from her third marriage.
Harding married her third husband Joseph Price on June 23, 2010. She was 39 years old at the time.
She welcomed their first child a year later on 19 February.