Short Biography

The daughter of a fur wholesaler, Sonja Henie received her first pair of ice skates when she was six. At 14, she was the Norwegian Skating Champion. At 15, she would win the Olympic gold medal in Skating - a feat she would repeat in 1932 and 1936. In 1936 she would turn professional and tour with her own ice show. She was signed by 20th Century Fox and debuted in `One in a Million` (1936) where she played an ice skater. As the picture was very successful, Sonja continued to make a series of light comedies throughout the late 30s and early 40s. More a testament to her skating skills and physical appearance, the films were profitable and her popularity soared. Her film success garnered financial success for the Hollywood Ice Revues that she produced, and starred, in every year. Her movie career wound down during the mid 40s, but she continued skating until she retired in 1960. An astute businesswoman, Sonja was one of the ten wealthiest woman in the world when she died of leukemia in 1969.

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