by Beatrix Kiddo

Created on: January 10, 2010

From 1923 to 1936 Sonja Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies figure skater as the silver screen ice queen proved that there were no limits to what Sonja Henie could accomplish. 

Who is Sonja Henie?

Glamorous Sonja Henie was born in Oslo, Norway on April 8, 1908.  At age nine Sonja Henie won her first competition in the senior Norwegian championship.  Two years later she placed last in the 1924 Olympics.  Sonja Henie learned from her mistakes, she won her first Olympic gold medal in 1928.

At age 28-years-old Sonja Henie decided to hang up her skates for the world of acting.  A choice that would pay off for talented Sonja Henie.  Not may actresses knew their way around the ice rink like Sonja Henie. 

Sonja Henie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame after her performances in many films including Seven Days for Elizabeth, Se Norge, One in a Million, Thin Ice, Wintertime, It's a Pleasure to name only a few on a list of 15.

Sonja Henie was the highest paid movie actress in Hollywood.

Sonja Henie's Husband:

Three was the charm for Sonja Henie as her third husband, Norwegian shipowner and art collector, Niels Onslad.  The beauty of the relationship seen throughout their passions could be viewed within the Henie-Onslad Art Centre.  The Henie-Onslad Art Centre was so close to Oslo that when Niels Onslad died he was buried on one of Sonja Henie's favorite hilltops in Oslo, one that overlooks the Henie-Onslad Art Centre.

The Other Side of Sonja Henie:

But Sonja Henie was not the perfect role model according to her brother Leif.  In a book released called 'Queen of Ice, Queen of Shadows' Leif claimed that the famous ice queen was nothing more than a money hungry sexual individual.

Sonja Henie has well-known lovers at her side including figure skater Jack Dunn and boxer Joe Louis. 

The Nazi controversy between Sonja Henie and Aldolf Hitler disturbed many during, before and after World War II.  Sonja Henie saluted Adolf once, but after the Norwegian press took note she hadn't again.  However, this did not stop Henie from meeting Adolf Hitler as his request. 

Sonja Henie Dies:

Sonja Henie lived a life that only a few could even imagine having.  The three-time Olympic medal winner, six-time European Champion and ten-time World Champion died of leukemia at age 57 during a flight between Paris and Oslo.  Her remains sit next to her husband's on her favorite Oslo hilltop. 

Sonja Henie has accomplished many goals.  But nothing is more outstanding than her figure skating and star-studded shows in acting.  Sonja Henie will be remembered mostly as a champion figure skater and star-studded actress.  With this said we now close this chapter on the biography of Sonja Henie.

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