Tonya Harding, a controversial name in the figure skating world, is a former American Olympic figure skater with a net worth of $150,000.

Tonya, who was on track to a prominent career in figure skating, was banned from competing following a scandal that involved her peer, Nancy Kerrigan.

Tonya, the first-ever American woman and one of two in history to complete a triple axel jump in a competition, would pursue a less successful career in boxing following her ban from the events, retaining her popularity throughout the years.

Tonya Harding Figure Skating Career

Making her first appearance in the late 80s, Tonya delivered spectacular performances through her dazzling jumps and technical abilities. In 1986, she would come in sixth place at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, placing top five in the two following years.

This caught the attention of coach Dody Teachman in 1989, who would train her throughout the year, helping her win the 1989 Nationals Championship, in addition to the 1989 Skate America competition.

In 1992, she placed 3rd in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, fourth in the Winter Olympics and Skate Canada International, as well as sixth in the World Championships.

Although she won the 1994 U.S. Championships, her title was taken away following her scandal.

Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan Scandal

Nancy Kerrigan, bronze and silver medal Olympic winner and Tonya Harding’s peer, outshined the latter during the time they competed against each other.

Unlike Harding, Kerrigan’s career was more fruitful, yielding several accomplishments over the years, including a bronze medal at the 1991 World Championships and the 1992 Winter Olympics.

She also took home several silver medals, which she won at the 1992 World Championships, the 1994 Winter Olympics, and the 1993 US National Figure Skating Championship.

However, in 1994, Kerrigan was attacked at the Detroit Cobo Arena by an unknown assailant, later identified as Shane Stant, who was hired by Tonya’s ex-husband Jeff Gillooly.

Despite denying having to do anything with the attack, Tonya would later plead guilty, claiming she only found out about her husband’s involvement after the attack, marking the end of her Figure skating career.

As a result, she was sentenced to three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and paid $100,000 in fines. She was also banned from the sport by the U.S. Figure Skating Association on June 30, 1994.

Tonya Harding After the Scandal

After her ban, Tonya Harding tried her luck at Boxing, appearing on Celerity Boxing in 2002, where she would defeat Paula Jones.

She tried to pursue a more serious career, debuting her first professional match in February 2003, but lost to Samantha Browning.

Her short-lived boxing career ended in 2004 following her loss to Amy Johnson.

Tonya stated that she decided to stop boxing due to her asthma condition.

A successful movie starring Margot Robbie and titled I, Tonya, was released in 2018, and went on to win several awards, earning the star actress an Academy Award nomination in the process.

Despite the movie performing well, grossing $53 million on an $11 million budget, Tonya was only paid $1,500 to license her rights to the production company, but reports state she could have earned more from performance bonuses.