Net Worth Ranker
What Is Kristi Yamaguchi’s Net Worth?
Kristi Yamaguchi, a celebrated American former figure skater, author, and media personality, has accumulated a net worth of $8 million. This financial standing is a result of her successful career in figure skating, complemented by her ventures into authorship, media commentary, and other endeavors. Her journey to financial success began with her early achievements in figure skating, which laid the foundation for her future opportunities.
Early Career and Figure Skating Successes
Kristi Yamaguchi’s rise to prominence in figure skating began in 1989 when, at the age of 17, she distinguished herself by defeating Jill Trenary at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. This victory paved the way for her triumph in the pairs competition, where she partnered with Rudi Galindo. In 1986, Kristi and Rudy Galindo had already shown their potential by winning the junior title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. By 1988, her skill was evident as she secured a gold medal in Ladies’ singles at the World Junior Championships in Brisbane, further solidifying her status by winning gold in Pairs with Galindo. Prior to that, in 1987, the duo earned a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Kitchener. Their partnership culminated in gold medals at the 1989 and 1990 U.S. Championships in senior pairs, marking a pivotal moment when Kristi decided to concentrate solely on singles. Her dedication led to a gold medal in figure skating at the Goodwill Games that year. These early achievements set the stage for her subsequent success in the world of figure skating.
A significant milestone in Yamaguchi’s career was her Olympic gold medal in ladies’ singles at the 1992 Winter Olympics. This victory was not just a personal achievement but also a landmark event that led to her induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1991, Yamaguchi relocated to Edmonton, Alberta, to train with coach Christy Ness and pursue psychology studies at the University of Alberta. That year, she won a silver medal at the U.S. championships, finishing second to Tonya Harding, before claiming gold at the World Championships. Following her triumph at the 1992 U.S. Championships, Kristi secured a spot on Team USA for the 1992 Winter Olympics, alongside Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. Her gold medal win in Ladies’ singles at the Olympics was followed by another gold at the World Championships later that year. These victories underscore her dominance in the sport during that period.
Professional Career and Media Ventures
After the 1991–92 season, Kristi transitioned to professional skating, embarking on tours with Stars on Ice. This marked the beginning of a new phase in her career. She continued to showcase her talent and won gold medals at the World Professional Figure Skating Championships during the 1992–93, 1994–95, 1996–97, and 1997–98 seasons. Furthermore, she secured gold at The Gold Championships during the 1994–95, 1995–96, and 1996–97 seasons, maintaining her competitive edge in the professional arena.
Yamaguchi’s career extended beyond the ice rink into the realm of media. In 2006, she hosted WE tv’s “Skating’s Next Star,” showcasing her ability to engage with audiences beyond her athletic performances. In 2008, she won ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” with partner Mark Ballas, expanding her fanbase and demonstrating her versatility. In 1993, Yamaguchi co-starred with the California Raisins in the fitness video “Hip to be Fit: The California Raisins and Kristi Yamaguchi.” She has also made appearances as herself on television shows such as “Everybody Loves Raymond” in 1997 and “Fresh Off the Boat” in 2018. Additionally, she has appeared in films like “D2: The Mighty Ducks” in 1994 and “On Edge” in 2001, as well as the TV movie “Go Figure” in 2005. In 1995, she played Princess Jasmine in the special “Aladdin on Ice.” During the 2006 Winter Olympics, Kristi served as a figure skating commentator for KNTV (NBC 11) in San Jose. She was hired as an NBC Olympics skating broadcast analyst on the Universal Sports Network in 2010. Also in 2010, she was a special correspondent for NBC’s “Today Show” during the Winter Olympics. In 2012, she created a line of women’s active wear called Tsu.ya by Kristi Yamaguchi, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit. These media and entrepreneurial ventures have contributed to her overall financial success.
Authorship and Literary Achievements
Kristi Yamaguchi is also a published author, having written several books. Her publications include “Figure Skating For Dummies” in 1997, “Always Dream” in 1998, and “Finding the Edge: My Life on the Ice” in 2017. She has also authored children’s books such as “Dream Big, Little Pig” in 2011, “It’s a Big World Little Pig” in 2012, and “Cara’s Kindness” in 2016. Her children’s book, “Dream Big, Little Pig,” became a “New York Times” bestseller and won the Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award. These literary works have added another dimension to her career and contributed to her income.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Kristi Yamaguchi married professional hockey player Bret Hedican on July 8, 2000, after meeting at the Winter Olympics eight years prior. They have two daughters: Keara Kiyomi, born on October 1, 2003, and Emma Yoshiko, born on November 16, 2005. In 2017, Yamaguchi shared with “People” magazine that her 11-year-old daughter Emma had been skating for five years, with potential Olympic aspirations. After Hedican was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2002, Kristi and Bret moved to North Carolina. Then, he played for the Anaheim Ducks for the 2008–09 season. Bret retired from hockey in September 2009, and the family resides in Alamo, California. In 2003, Yamaguchi and Hedican purchased a 3,628-square-foot home in Raleigh, North Carolina, for $610,000. The couple has also acquired a vacation home on Gull Lake in Minnesota. These real estate investments are part of their overall asset portfolio.
Philanthropic Efforts and Recognition
In 1996, Kristi Yamaguchi established Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, a literacy foundation dedicated to providing children from low-income families with access to high-quality books and comprehensive family engagement support. Yamaguchi has been honored with several awards, including the Inspiration Award at the Asian Excellence Awards and the Sonja Henie Award from the Professional Skaters Association in 2008. She has also received the Heisman Humanitarian Award, Thurman Munson Award, and Flo Hyman Memorial Award from the Women’s Sports Foundation. She has been inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame, World Skating Hall of Fame, U.S. Olympic Committee Olympic Hall of Fame, and California Hall of Fame. She won a Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Female Athlete in 1996. She earned a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV Female Reality/Variety Star for “Dancing with the Stars” in 2008. These accolades recognize her impact both on and off the ice, highlighting her contributions to sports, entertainment, and philanthropy.
