born April 8, 1912, Kristiania [now Oslo], Nor.
died Oct. 12, 1969, in an airplane en route to Oslo
Norwegian-born U.S. figure skater.
She was trained in ballet. She won the world amateur championship for women 10 consecutive years (192736) and won three gold medals in the Winter Olympics (1928, 1932, 1936). With her dancer's training, she was largely responsible for converting a predictable series of colourless exercises into a spectacular and popular exhibition. She achieved further renown as a professional ice skater and movie actress. In 1941 she became an American citizen.
Sonja Henie performing in her Hollywood Ice Revue of 1950.
Pictorial Parade