Sonja Henie

Sonja Henie (1912–1969), a Norwegian figure ice skater and film actress. A triple Olympic gold medallist (1928, 1932, 1936), in the years 1926-1936 she held the title of the figure skating world champion ten times and the European champion six times (1927-1936). She performed in professional international shows on ice and took part in 12 American “ice skating” films. She sparked controversy during the Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenhirchen (1936), where she made a Nazi heil gesture to Hitler sitting in the tribune, and also during the occupation time, where she was eager to boast her connections with the high-profile Nazi officials. In 1941 she received a US citizenship and cut herself off from Nazi sympathies. She made a triumphant return to Norway with a show “Holiday on ice” in 1953 and 1955. She was married three times (Dan Topping 1940 to 1946, Winthrop Gardiner jr. 1949 to 1956, Niels Onstad 1956 to 1969). She died of leukaemia on the airplane from Paris to Oslo. The collection of her prizes and champion cups is on display in the Høvikodden Centre.