Sonja Henie

Sonja Henie (1912–1969) was a Norwegian figure skater and actress who became one of the most successful and influential athletes…

By Staff , in Athletes , at September 19, 2024 Tags: skaters

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Sonja Henie (1912–1969) was a Norwegian figure skater and actress who became one of the most successful and influential athletes in the history of figure skating. Henie is widely regarded as a pioneer in the sport, winning three Olympic gold medals, ten World Championships, and six European Championships, a record that remains unmatched. After her competitive career, Henie became a Hollywood film star and ice show performer, further popularizing figure skating around the world. Her contributions to the sport, both on and off the ice, left an enduring legacy.

Early Life and Introduction to Skating
Birth and Family Background: Sonja Henie was born on April 8, 1912, in Oslo, Norway, to a wealthy and athletic family. Her father, Wilhelm Henie, was a successful furrier and a former cycling champion, and her mother, Selma, was supportive of her daughter’s sporting ambitions. The Henie family provided Sonja with the resources to pursue sports and travel internationally, which was crucial to her early development.

Early Start in Figure Skating: Henie showed early talent in various sports, including skiing and tennis, but it was in figure skating that she truly excelled. She began skating at a very young age and was coached by Oscar Holthe and later by Hjordis Olsen, among others. By the time she was just ten years old, Henie competed in her first Olympic Games at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, where she placed eighth.

Dominance in Competitive Figure Skating
First Olympic Gold Medal (1928): At the age of 15, Henie won her first Olympic gold medal at the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Her performance was groundbreaking for its time, combining athletic jumps and spins with ballet-like artistry and grace. Henie’s skating set a new standard for the sport, emphasizing both technical ability and performance quality.

World and European Championships: In addition to her Olympic success, Henie dominated the World Championships, winning the title ten consecutive times from 1927 to 1936. This remains a record for any figure skater, male or female. She also won the European Championship six times between 1931 and 1936. Henie’s ability to combine precision, athleticism, and performance artistry gave her an edge over her competitors, and she revolutionized the sport with her innovative style.

Olympic Triumphs (1932, 1936): Henie won two more Olympic gold medals, at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, and the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, making her the first female skater to win three consecutive Olympic titles. Her victories in 1932 and 1936 solidified her place as the most dominant figure skater of her era. Her signature moves, such as the “Henie spin” (a version of the sit spin), and her impeccable sense of style helped her captivate audiences worldwide.

Innovations in the Sport
Costume and Presentation: One of Sonja Henie’s most significant contributions to figure skating was her emphasis on presentation. She was the first skater to wear short skirts (above the knee), allowing for greater freedom of movement and showing off her legwork. She also wore white skates, which became the standard for female skaters after her. Henie’s attention to costume design and her glamorous style helped elevate figure skating from a purely athletic competition to a performance art, influencing how future generations approached the sport.

Artistry and Ballet Influence: Henie’s skating was notable for its integration of balletic elements and artistic expression. She trained with ballet instructors to improve her posture and choreography, and this artistic approach set her apart from her competitors. Henie’s style transformed figure skating into a more graceful and artistic sport, inspiring future skaters to blend athleticism with performance.

Transition to Hollywood and Ice Shows
Professional Career: After retiring from competitive figure skating following her third Olympic win in 1936, Henie pursued a career in entertainment. She turned professional and quickly became a star in Hollywood and ice shows. Henie was the highest-paid figure skater of her time and helped bring figure skating to the mainstream as both a competitive sport and a form of entertainment.

Hollywood Films: Henie signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and became a popular film actress in the late 1930s and 1940s. She starred in a series of musical films that showcased her skating talents, including:
“One in a Million” (1936)
“Thin Ice” (1937)
“My Lucky Star” (1938)
“Sun Valley Serenade” (1941), one of her most popular films, which featured a famous skating sequence.
These films helped popularize figure skating in the United States and beyond, introducing the sport to new audiences and raising Henie’s profile as an international star.

Ice Shows: Henie also pioneered the concept of the ice show, where she would perform skating routines in arenas and theaters across the world. Her touring ice revues were immensely popular and brought the spectacle of figure skating to a broader audience, further solidifying her legacy as a figure skating icon.

Later Life and Legacy
Wealth and Influence: Henie became one of the highest-paid female athletes and entertainers of her time, amassing considerable wealth through her skating shows and film career. She remained an influential figure in the skating world long after her competitive career ended, and her innovations in costume design, choreography, and performance continue to shape the sport.

Personal Life: Henie’s personal life was marked by multiple marriages. She married three times, most notably to wealthy Norwegian shipping magnate Niels Onstad in 1956. The couple collected a vast array of artwork, which they later donated to the Sonja Henie–Niels Onstad Art Centre (now the Henie Onstad Kunstsenter) in Norway, a museum that houses their art collection and promotes contemporary art.

Health Decline and Death: In her later years, Henie’s health declined, and she battled leukemia. She passed away on October 12, 1969, at the age of 57 while flying from Paris to Oslo. Her death marked the end of an era in figure skating, but her legacy as a trailblazer in the sport continues to endure.

Legacy and Influence
Impact on Figure Skating: Sonja Henie is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of figure skating. Her innovations in costume, choreography, and performance style transformed the sport from a purely athletic competition into an art form. Many of the elements she introduced, such as shorter skirts and white skates, remain integral to the sport today. Henie’s success and glamorous image also helped elevate the global popularity of figure skating, particularly in the United States.

Records and Achievements:
Henie’s three Olympic gold medals remain a record for female figure skaters.
Her ten World Championships are the most ever won by a single skater, male or female.
She was inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to the sport.

Cultural Icon: Henie’s influence extended beyond figure skating. She became a symbol of grace, elegance, and athleticism, and her success as a Hollywood star helped further popularize figure skating as a form of entertainment. She inspired future generations of skaters, including Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, and Katarina Witt, who all credited Henie as an inspiration for their careers.