Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tonya Harding’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Tonya Harding, also known as Tonya Price, an American former Olympic figure skater, has a net worth of approximately $150,000. This figure reflects her earnings from various ventures, including her skating career, boxing endeavors, appearances on reality television, and licensing rights for the biographical film “I, Tonya.” While specific details regarding her income from each of these areas are not fully public, this total net worth offers an overview of her current financial standing.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Tonya Maxene Harding was born on November 12, 1970, in Portland, Oregon. Her early life was marked by financial constraints. Her mother, LaVona, worked as a waitress, while her father, Albert (who passed away in 2009), held various jobs, including apartment manager and truck driver. Tonya’s skating journey began at the young age of three. She trained with coach Diane Rawlinson. The family’s financial limitations meant that LaVona hand-sewed Tonya’s figure skating outfits. This showcased the family’s commitment to supporting Tonya’s aspirations despite their limited resources. When Harding was 16, her parents divorced. During her sophomore year, she left Milwaukie High School to pursue her skating career full-time. Tonya later obtained her GED in 1988, demonstrating her dedication to education even as she prioritized her athletic pursuits.
Figure Skating Career and Key Achievements
Harding’s figure skating career included significant achievements. In 1986, she placed sixth at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, followed by fifth-place finishes in the subsequent two years and a third-place finish in 1989. After the 1989 Nationals Championship, she began training with coach Dody Teachman and secured a win at that year’s Skate America competition. Despite being in second place at one point during the 1990 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Harding finished seventh due to health issues like asthma and the flu impacting her performance. A pivotal moment in her career occurred at the 1991 U.S. Championships, where she became the first American woman to successfully land a triple Axel. That same year, she won the U.S. Ladies’ Singles title and placed second at the World Championships, marking a high point in her competitive skating journey. However, during the 1992 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Tonya finished third. She placed fourth in the Winter Olympics, sixth in the World Championships, and fourth in the Skate Canada International event, which highlighted her competitive performances during that period.
The Nancy Kerrigan Attack and Aftermath
The attack on Nancy Kerrigan during a practice session for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on January 6, 1994, significantly impacted Harding’s career. The attacker, hired by Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and his friend Shawn Eckhardt, struck Kerrigan’s right knee. Gillooly, Eckhardt, and the assailant Shane Stant claimed Harding was aware and helped plan the events. Harding was allowed to compete at the 1994 Olympics. After returning to the United States from Lillehammer, Harding pleaded guilty to having knowledge of the attack after-the-fact and not coming forward. The legal repercussions included three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and a $100,000 fine. Additionally, on June 30, 1994, the United States Figure Skating Association banned her from the sport, effectively ending her competitive skating career. Despite the ban, Harding participated in the 1999 ESPN Pro Skating Championship, finishing second, demonstrating her continued involvement in skating-related events.
Transition to Boxing and Other Ventures
Following her ban from figure skating, Harding explored other career paths. In 2002, she appeared on Fox’s “Celebrity Boxing,” where she defeated Paula Jones. Her first professional boxing match occurred in February 2003, resulting in a loss to Samantha Browning. She also participated in a celebrity boxing match on Comedy Central’s “The Man Show,” defeating comedian Doug Stanhope, one of the show’s co-hosts. In March 2004, Harding reportedly cancelled an Oakland, California, boxing match due to death threats. Her last match was in June 2004. She lost to Amy Johnson and was booed upon entering the ring, leading to her decision to quit boxing due to her asthma. Besides boxing, Harding engaged in various occupations, including working as a painter, welder, deck builder, and Sears hardware sales clerk. These diverse roles reflect her efforts to sustain herself financially after her skating career ended.
“I, Tonya” and Licensing Rights
The 2017 film “I, Tonya,” starring Margot Robbie as Harding, played a role in reshaping public perception of Harding. While the film won numerous awards and earned Robbie an Academy Award nomination, Harding reportedly received a relatively modest $1,500 to license her rights to the story. The licensing agreement included potential bonus incentives based on the film’s performance. These incentives had the potential to increase her earnings from the project. The film contributed to reframing Harding’s image. It presented her as more of a victim and less of a villain than previously perceived. This shift in public opinion had implications for her overall public persona and potential future opportunities.
Personal Life and Relationships
Harding’s personal life has been marked by several relationships. In 1986, at the age of 15, she began dating 17-year-old Jeff Gillooly. They married on March 18, 1990, but divorced in August 1993. Despite the divorce, Gillooly continued to manage Harding’s skating career. They reconciled in October and lived together in a rented Beavercreek chalet until January 1994. Harding later married Michael Smith, from 1995 to 1996. On June 23, 2010, she married Joseph Price, and they welcomed a son, Gordon, on February 19, 2011. In 1996, Harding performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on 81-year-old Alice Olson, who had collapsed at a Portland bar, saving her life. In 2000, Harding was arrested after attacking her boyfriend Darren Silver. She was sentenced to three days in prison, a suspended prison sentence of 167 days, and 10 days of community service. The judge also ordered her to abstain from drinking alcohol for two years and attend anger management classes.
