Nancy Kerrigan is a name many people remember, especially if they followed figure skating in the 1990s. She was a very talented American figure skater known for her grace on the ice and her strength in difficult times. We will explore how she became famous, her achievements, her challenges, what Nancy Kerrigan net worth looks like today, and more.
Nancy Kerrigan’s Bio
| Name | Nancy Kerrigan |
| Date of Birth | October 13, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Woburn, Massachusetts, USA |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 55 (as of April 2025) |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | English, Irish, and German ancestry |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Weight | 57 kg (125.6 lbs) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Jerry Solomon (married on September 9, 1995) |
| Children | Three: Matthew Eric (b. 1996), Brian (b. 2005), Nicole Elizabeth (b. 2008) |
| Father | Daniel Kerrigan (1939–2010) |
| Mother | Brenda Kerrigan (née Schultz) |
| Siblings | Two brothers: Michael and Mark |
| Legacy | Two-time Olympic medalist; inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2004; advocate for the visually impaired through The Nancy Kerrigan Foundation |
| Famous For | Winning Olympic medals in figure skating; being the victim of the 1994 attack orchestrated by associates of rival Tonya Harding |
| Profession | Former figure skater; television personality; author |
| Nancy Kerrigan Net Worth | Approximately $10 million (as of 2024) |
Nancy Kerrigan: The Early Years
Nancy Kerrigan was born on October 13, 1969, in Stoneham, Massachusetts. She grew up in a working-class family. Her father, Daniel Kerrigan, was a welder, and her mother, Brenda Kerrigan, was a homemaker. Nancy had two older brothers, Michael and Mark, who played hockey. Seeing her brothers play likely sparked her interest in ice sports.
She started figure skating when she was six years old. It quickly became clear that Nancy Kerrigan had a natural talent for it.
Her family supported her passion, even though skating was very expensive. Her father worked extra jobs, sometimes driving the ice resurfacer (Zamboni) at the local rink, just to pay for her lessons and travel.
Nancy Kerrigan’s mother, Brenda, who is legally blind, was always there for Nancy, offering support and encouragement, even waking up very early to make breakfast before driving Nancy to practice. This family dedication was a big part of Nancy Kerrigan’s early success.
Nancy started private lessons at age eight and won her first competition, the Boston Open, just a year later. She was known for her athletic style, inspired by the male skaters she watched. She worked hard to perfect difficult jumps.
By the time she was 14, she landed her first triple-triple jump combination in practice – a very hard move that not many female skaters were doing then. This showed Nancy Kerrigan that she had the potential to be a top skater.
Rising Through the Ranks
Nancy Kerrigan steadily improved through the late 1980s. She placed well in junior competitions and moved up to the senior level. Her breakthrough came in the early 1990s. At the 1991 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, she finished third, earning a spot on the World Championship team.
At the 1991 World Championships in Munich, Germany, Nancy Kerrigan won the bronze medal. This was a historic moment because it was the first time ever that women from one country swept the podium – Americans Kristi Yamaguchi won gold, and Tonya Harding won silver. This success put Nancy Kerrigan firmly on the map as a top international competitor.
The following year, 1992, was even bigger for Nancy Kerrigan. She finished second at the U.S. Championships, securing her place on the Olympic team for the Winter Games in Albertville, France.
At the 1992 Olympics, she skated beautifully and won the bronze medal, standing on the podium again with gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi. Later that year, she won the silver medal at the 1992 World Championships.
With Kristi Yamaguchi retiring from amateur competition after 1992, Nancy Kerrigan became the top female skater in the United States. In 1993, she won the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship title.
However, she had a disappointing performance at the 1993 World Championships in Prague, finishing fifth after a difficult free skate. This setback made her realize she needed to work on handling pressure, and she started working with a sports psychologist.
The 1994 Attack: A Dark Cloud Before the Olympics
As Nancy Kerrigan prepared for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, she was considered a favourite for the gold medal. But just weeks before the Games, a shocking event occurred that changed everything.
On January 6, 1994, after a practice session at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, Michigan, Nancy Kerrigan was attacked. As she walked down a corridor at Cobo Arena, a man hit her hard on the right leg, just above the knee, with a metal baton.
The attacker, later identified as Shane Stant, fled the scene. The attack was caught on camera, and the footage of a crying Nancy Kerrigan asking “Why, why, why?” was shown worldwide.
The attack caused severe bruising to her knee and thigh, forcing Nancy Kerrigan to withdraw from the U.S. Championships. The investigation quickly revealed a plot designed to injure her and prevent her from competing at the Olympics.
The plan was orchestrated by Jeff Gillooly, the ex-husband of her main American rival, Tonya Harding, along with Harding’s bodyguard, Shawn Eckardt. They hired Stant and his uncle, Derrick Smith, to carry out the attack.
Tonya Harding won the U.S. title in Detroit, but the scandal surrounding the attack grew. While Harding denied involvement initially, she later pleaded guilty to conspiring to hinder the prosecution of the attackers.
She received probation, community service, a large fine, and was eventually banned for life from the U.S. Figure Skating Association.
Lillehammer 1994: Resilience and a Silver Medal
Despite the attack and the intense media storm surrounding her and Tonya Harding, Nancy Kerrigan recovered quickly from her injury. The U.S. Figure Skating Association named her to the Olympic team, recognizing her talent and merit. She trained intensely, determined to compete in Lillehammer.
The 1994 Winter Olympics became one of the most-watched sporting events in history, largely due to the drama involving Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. All eyes were on Kerrigan as she took the ice.
She skated brilliantly in both the short program and the free skate, delivering elegant and technically strong performances under immense pressure.
Many people thought Nancy Kerrigan deserved the gold medal. However, in a very close and somewhat controversial decision, the judges awarded the gold to Oksana Baiul of Ukraine. Nancy Kerrigan won the silver medal.
While she was momentarily caught on microphone expressing disappointment about Baiul, her performance was widely seen as a triumph of courage and resilience over adversity. Winning silver just seven weeks after the attack cemented Nancy Kerrigan’s place as an inspiration.
Life After the Olympics: Professional Skating and Beyond
After the 1994 Olympics, Nancy Kerrigan turned professional. This allowed her to earn money from her skating talent without the strict rules of amateur competition.
She became a popular star in professional ice shows and television specials, such as “Champions on Ice” and “Halloween on Ice.” Her elegant style and compelling story made her a crowd favourite.
Nancy Kerrigan also capitalized on the fame she gained, especially after the attack. Even before the 1994 Olympics, she had signed endorsement deals with major companies like Reebok, Campbell’s Soup, Seiko, and Evian, reportedly worth millions. The attack, while traumatic, ironically increased her public profile and marketability, leading to more opportunities.
She made several appearances on television and in movies. She competed on the reality show “Dancing with the Stars” in 2017.
Nancy Kerrigan also had small acting roles in films like “Blades of Glory” (2007) and television shows like “Boy Meets World.” Nancy Kerrigan authored an instructional book, “Artistry on Ice” (2003), sharing her knowledge of skating.
Exploring Nancy Kerrigan Net Worth
Throughout her career, Nancy Kerrigan achieved significant financial success. Her net worth comes from various sources built over decades.
Competitive Prize Money: While amateur sports didn’t offer huge purses then, winning national and international medals came with some financial rewards.
Professional Skating: Her biggest earnings from skating likely came after turning professional. Starring in ice shows, tours, and TV specials was very lucrative during the 1990s figure skating boom.
Endorsements: Nancy Kerrigan was a highly sought-after spokesperson. Deals with companies like Revlon, Reebok, Campbell’s Soup, and Walt Disney World contributed significantly to her income. Her image as a graceful and resilient athlete appealed to many brands. Reports suggested she had deals worth around $9.5 million even before the Lillehammer Olympics.
Television and Media Appearances: Payments for participating in shows like “Dancing with the Stars,” cameo roles in movies, and figure skating commentary added to her earnings.
Other Ventures: This could include book royalties and potentially other investments.
Estimating the net worth of public figures can be tricky, as figures often vary between sources. As of early 2025, estimates for Nancy Kerrigan net worth range from approximately $10 million to as high as $16 million.
These figures reflect her long career, smart endorsements, and continued public presence. Her ability to turn her athletic success and dramatic personal story into lasting financial security is notable.
Personal Life and Giving Back
In 1995, Nancy Kerrigan married her agent, Jerry Solomon. Solomon had been a supportive figure, especially during the difficult times surrounding the 1994 attack and Olympics. Together, they built a family life primarily in Massachusetts.
They have three children: Matthew (born 1997), Brian (born 2005), and Nicole (born 2008). Solomon also has a son from a previous marriage.
Nancy Kerrigan has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing family life with her public profile and the difficulties she faced conceiving, including experiencing multiple miscarriages, aiming to help others facing similar struggles.
Nancy Kerrigan has also dedicated time to charitable causes. Honouring her mother, Brenda, who is legally blind, she established The Nancy Kerrigan Foundation to raise funds and awareness for the visually impaired. She has also supported the Special Olympics.
Nancy Kerrigan’s Legacy
Nancy Kerrigan’s impact on figure skating goes beyond her medals. She is remembered for her beautiful, athletic skating style, combining artistry with difficult technical elements. She was part of a golden era for American women’s figure skating in the early 1990s.
However, her legacy is perhaps most defined by her incredible resilience. The 1994 attack and her subsequent comeback performance at the Lillehammer Olympics became one of the most unforgettable stories in sports history.
It showcased her strength, determination, and grace under unimaginable pressure. Nancy Kerrigan became a symbol of overcoming adversity, inspiring many people both inside and outside the world of sports.
Today, Nancy Kerrigan remains connected to the skating world, occasionally commentating and appearing at events. Her story continues to fascinate the public, explored in documentaries and the 2017 film “I, Tonya,” which focused on the events from Tonya Harding’s perspective but brought the dramatic rivalry back into the spotlight.
The Bottom Line
Nancy Kerrigan’s journey is a remarkable one. From her dedicated beginnings supported by her hardworking family to reaching the pinnacle of figure skating with Olympic medals, she showed incredible talent and perseverance.
The shocking attack in 1994 tested her spirit, but her comeback performance cemented her legacy as a resilient champion. Beyond the ice, Nancy Kerrigan successfully transitioned into a professional career, leveraging her fame into endorsements and media appearances, contributing to a substantial net worth estimated in the millions.
Her story is not just about skating; it’s about facing challenges head-on, achieving success against the odds, and building a fulfilling life after the competitive spotlight fades. Nancy Kerrigan remains an iconic figure, remembered for her elegance, her strength, and her unforgettable place in sports history.
