Tonya Harding is a former American figure skater who made history by becoming the first woman to land a triple axel in competition. She also became infamous for her involvement in the 1994 attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan, which ended her skating career and tarnished her reputation. So, how much is Tonya Harding worth today, and what has she been doing since her scandalous past?
Who Is Tonya Harding?
Tonya Harding was born in Portland, Oregon, on November 12, 1970. She began skating at three and trained with coach Diane Rawlinson. She had a difficult childhood, as she claimed to have suffered physical and psychological abuse from her mother, LaVona. She also dropped out of high school to focus on her skating career.
Harding rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as one of the top figure skaters in the world. She won the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and placed second in the World Championships. She also competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics, where she finished fourth.
Harding’s signature move was the triple axel, a difficult jump that involves three and a half rotations in the air. She was the first American woman and the second woman ever to land it in competition, which she did at the 1991 U.S. Championships.
What Happened to Nancy Kerrigan?
Harding’s career dramatically turned in 1994 when she became involved in one of the most notorious scandals in sports history. On January 6, 1994, Harding’s rival Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by a man who hit her on the knee with a baton, injuring her leg. The attack was orchestrated by Harding’s ex-husband Jeff Gillooly and his friend Shawn Eckhardt, who hired Shane Stant as the assailant. They aimed to prevent Kerrigan from competing in the upcoming U.S. Championships and the Winter Olympics.
The attack failed to keep Kerrigan out of the Olympics, where she won the silver medal. Harding also competed in the Olympics but finished eighth after a poor performance that included a broken skate lace. The FBI soon discovered Harding’s connection to the attack, and she pleaded guilty to hindering the prosecution. She was sentenced to three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $160,000 fine. She was also banned for life from the U.S. Figure Skating Association and stripped of her 1994 U.S. title.
How Did Tonya Harding Make Money After Skating?
After the scandal, Harding struggled to find a stable income and a positive image. She gave several paid interviews to various media outlets, earning as much as $600,000 for an appearance on Inside Edition in 1994. However, her fees declined over time, and she also faced legal troubles for various offenses, such as domestic violence and DUI.
Harding tried to pursue other careers, such as acting, boxing, singing, and reality TV. She appeared in the 1996 film Breakaway but received negative reviews for her performance. After winning a match against Paula Jones on Fox’s Celebrity Boxing in 2002, she became a professional boxer. She fought a few more times until she retired from boxing in 2004.
Harding also participated in several reality TV shows, such as The Weakest Link, The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest, Celebrity Wife Swap, and Dancing with the Stars. She also released a sex tape with Gillooly in 1994 and an autobiography titled The Tonya Tapes in 2008.
Harding married Joseph Jens Price in 2010 and gave birth to their son Gordon in 2011. She lives in Washington State as a painter and deck builder.
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What Is Tonya Harding’s Net Worth Today?
Tonya Harding has an estimated net worth of $30,000 as of 2023. This is a far cry from her peak earnings as a figure skater when she reportedly made $150,000 annually from competitions and endorsements.
Harding did not receive much money from the film I, Tonya, based on her life story and starred Margot Robbie as Harding. The film was critically acclaimed and earned several awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Robbie. However, Harding only sold her rights to the filmmakers for $1,500 plus some bonus incentives based on performance.
Harding has said that she is happy with her life and does not regret anything. She has also expressed gratitude for her opportunities, such as appearing on Dancing with the Stars, finishing third with her partner, Sasha Farber.
Tonya Harding’s net worth may not be impressive, but she has overcome many challenges and controversies in her life. She has also shown resilience and determination in pursuing her passions and dreams.