Tonya Harding: The Untold Story Of Triumph, Controversy, And Resilience

What’s Tonya Harding’s Net Worth?

Tonya Harding—now known as Tonya Price—is a name that has become synonymous with resilience, controversy, and a relentless pursuit of dreams. With a net worth of $150,000, she’s an American figure skating icon whose life has been anything but ordinary. Tonya’s skating career reached its peak in 1991 when she became the first American woman to land a triple axel in competition. She won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships that year and placed second in the World Championships. But her story took a dramatic turn in 1994 when she became embroiled in the infamous Nancy Kerrigan scandal, which ultimately led to her being banned from figure skating for life. Despite this, Tonya reinvented herself as a professional boxer and even competed on ABC’s "Dancing with the Stars" in 2018, where she placed third. Her journey is a testament to her ability to rise above adversity and redefine her legacy.

In 2017, the film "I, Tonya," starring Margot Robbie as Harding, earned critical acclaim and numerous awards. While Tonya reportedly received only $1,500 initially to license her rights for the film, the movie helped shift public perception of her from villain to victim. It highlighted the challenges she faced growing up and the pressures that shaped her life, offering a more nuanced view of one of sports’ most polarizing figures.

Early Beginnings: From Portland to the Ice

Tonya Maxene Harding was born on November 12, 1970, in Portland, Oregon. Her childhood was far from easy. Her mother, LaVona, worked tirelessly as a waitress, while her father, Albert—who passed away in 2009—held various jobs to make ends meet. Despite financial struggles, Tonya’s passion for skating was evident from a young age. At just three years old, she laced up her skates for the first time, and her natural talent quickly became apparent. Her mother, LaVona, played a pivotal role in her early career, hand-sewing costumes because the family couldn’t afford to buy them. When Tonya was 16, her parents divorced, and during her sophomore year of high school, she left Milwaukie High School to focus on skating full-time. She earned her GED in 1988. Tragically, Tonya has also spoken about the physical and psychological abuse she endured at the hands of her mother, as well as a harrowing incident of sexual assault during her teenage years. These challenges only added to the complexity of her story.

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On the Ice: A Career Marked by Milestones

Tonya’s skating career was nothing short of extraordinary. In 1986, she placed sixth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, followed by fifth-place finishes in 1987 and 1988. By 1989, she had climbed to third place. It was during this time that she began training with coach Dody Teachman, who helped her refine her skills. Her big breakthrough came in 1991 when she became the first American woman to land a triple axel in competition. That year, she claimed the U.S. Ladies’ Singles title and finished second in the World Championships. In 1992, Tonya continued her upward trajectory, placing third in the U.S. Championships, fourth in the Winter Olympics, and sixth in the World Championships. However, her career took a dark turn in 1994 after the infamous attack on Nancy Kerrigan. Although she won the U.S. Championships that year, her title was stripped due to the scandal. Despite being banned from competitive figure skating, she made a brief return in 1999, finishing second in the ESPN Pro Skating Championship.

The Kerrigan Incident: A Turning Point

On January 6, 1994, the skating world was rocked by a shocking event. During a practice session at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, Nancy Kerrigan was brutally attacked, her knee struck multiple times by a hired assailant. The mastermind behind the attack? None other than Tonya’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and his accomplices. While Tonya claimed she had no prior knowledge of the plan, evidence later emerged suggesting she was aware and may have even participated in planning the attack. Despite the controversy, Tonya was allowed to compete in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, where she finished eighth. Upon her return to the United States, she pleaded guilty to having knowledge of the attack after it happened and not coming forward. As a result, she was sentenced to three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $100,000 fine. The United States Figure Skating Association permanently banned her from the sport on June 30, 1994.

From Ice to Ring: Tonya’s Boxing Career

After her skating career ended, Tonya found a new outlet for her competitive spirit in boxing. In 2002, she appeared on Fox’s "Celebrity Boxing," where she defeated Paula Jones. Her first professional boxing match took place in February 2003, though she lost to Samantha Browning. She also participated in a celebrity boxing match on Comedy Central’s "The Man Show," where she triumphed over comedian and co-host Doug Stanhope. However, her boxing career was not without its challenges. In March 2004, she canceled a match in Oakland, California, due to death threats. Her final match came in June 2004, where she lost to Amy Johnson and faced boos from the crowd. Citing her ongoing battle with asthma, Tonya eventually decided to step away from boxing.

Life Beyond the Spotlight

Tonya’s personal life has been as dramatic as her professional one. She married Jeff Gillooly in 1990, but their tumultuous relationship ended in divorce in 1993. Despite this, Jeff continued to manage her skating career, and they briefly reconciled in 1993. After their split, Tonya went on to marry Michael Smith in 1995, though that marriage lasted only a year. She found lasting love with Joseph Price, whom she married in 2010. Together, they welcomed a son, Gordon, in 2011. Away from the spotlight, Tonya has worked in various trades, including painting, welding, deck building, and as a sales clerk at Sears Hardware. In 1996, she made headlines for saving an elderly woman’s life by performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at a Portland bar. However, her life hasn’t been without setbacks. In 2000, she was arrested for attacking her boyfriend Darren Silver, leading to a prison sentence and community service. Through it all, Tonya has shown remarkable resilience, proving that she’s more than just the sum of her controversies.