Dorothy Hamill Biography

Fast Facts

• According to a 1993 poll by the Associated Press, she was named America's most popular athlete ahead of more than 800 others on the list
• Inducted into the U․S․ Figure Skating Hall of Fame, the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and the Olympic Hall of Fame
• Received unanimous first-place votes by all nine judges at the 1976 Winter Olympics for her free program routine
• Began undergoing treatment for breast cancer in early 2008, and has since become a strong supporter of the American Cancer Society and the Susan G․ Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
• At 14-years-old, she finally switched from formal schooling to a more flexible at-home schedule that could accomodate her training
• Began skating lessons at eight-years-old in a group setting before starting to take the sport more seriously a year later
• After competing as a junior skater for only a few short years, she would turn pro and debut as a senior competitor in 1971 at 16-years-old
• At 12-years-old, she won her first major competition at the U․S․ Championships, taking home top honors for the novice women's category
• Signed up to compete on the 16th season of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" in 2013, but was forced to withdraw from the competition after sustaining an injury during the second week of competition
• Traveled with the Ice Capades as a headline act from 1977 until 1984 before eventually investing in the tour herself by the '90s