Henie sonja biography of abraham franklin

Sonja Henie 8 April — 12 October was a Norwegian figure skater and film star. She was a three-time Olympic champion , , in women's singles , a ten-time World champion — and a six-time European champion — Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies' figure skater. She is one of only two skaters to defend a ladies' singles Olympic title, the other being Katarina Witt , and her six European titles have only been matched by Witt.

Henie was born on 8 April in Kristiania now Oslo , Norway; she was the only daughter of Wilhelm Henie — , a prosperous Norwegian furrier , and his wife, Selma Lochmann-Nielsen — In addition to the income from the fur business, both of Henie's parents had inherited wealth. Wilhelm Henie had been a one-time World Cycling Champion and the Henie children were encouraged to take up a variety of sports at a young age.

Henie sonja biography of abraham franklin: Sonja Henie was born in

Henie initially showed talent at skiing , then followed her older brother, Leif, to take up figure skating. As a girl Henie also was a nationally ranked tennis player, and a skilled swimmer and equestrian. Once Henie began serious training as a figure skater, her formal schooling ended. She was educated by tutors, and her father hired the best experts in the world, including the famous Russian ballerina, Tamara Karsavina , to transform his daughter into a sporting celebrity.