Sonja Henie

    Sonja was born on April 8, 1912 in Oslo, Norway. Her mom's name was Selma Nelson and her dad's name was Wilhem Henie. Sonja's father was a sport fan and he liked to ski. Her mom liked sports too. She enjoyed skating. Sonja had a brother named Leif. Leif, who was five years older than Sonja, taught Sonja to skate when she was a toddler. She won her first race when she was 5. At the age of 9, she won the Norway National Amateur Skating Championship.

    She competed in the 1924 Olympics at the age of 12, but finished in last place, even though one judge gave her 1^st place in free skating. She won the Norway National Championship again in 1925. She won her first World Championship in the winter of 1927, at the age of 14. There would be ten more World Championships in a row for Sonja. She won three gold medals in the Olympics in 1928, 1932 and 1936. Sonja always liked to go fast, in 1932 she also took second place in an amateur automobile race in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1932 Sonja preformed a complete ballet number that was called "Sonja's Swan Number" in Milan, Spain.

    In 1936, Sonja became a professional and touring with an ice show. Everyone wanted to see Sonja skate. She moved to the United States, settled in Hollywood and became a movie star. During the 30’s, 40’s people went to Sonja in the movies. Children were still buying Sonja Henie ice skates in the 1950’s. She was a millionaire by the time she was twenty-six!

    Sonia was married three times. She died of leukemia on October 12, 1969 at the age of 57. Sonja is buried near the Sonja Henie, Neils Onstad Art Center just outside Oslo, Norway. In 1982 Sonja Henie was inducted into the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame.

By Danielle B., fourth grade, 2001