After winning the Olympic Gold in 1976 at age 19, Dorothy Hamill was “America’s Sweetheart” and an idol to millions. She swept the nation with her signature haircut, “Hamill” camel spin, and sparkling smile. But this gifted and supremely talented figure skater lived a life off the ice encumbered with family and financial tribulations. She and her mother spent long months away from her father and siblings so she could properly train, and Dorothy often questioned whether the outcome was worth the sacrifice as she attempted to handle an emotionally unavailable mother, alcoholic father, and a financial toll on her entire family. Skating has always been Dorothy’s only means of escape, but an intense depression took over when Dorothy found that success did not wash away the constant stress of trying to please her parents and coaches. She married the love of her life, Dean Paul Martin, only to face devastation when he was tragically killed in a plane crash shortly after their marriage ended. Dorothy was plummeted into an even deeper depression and struggled to find fulfillment. When she was finally capable of opening her heart to love again, she remarried and gave birth to her daughter, only to be taken advantage of by her philandering second husband who stole her money. The burden of the strained relationship with her parents on top of her broken heart tested Dorothy’s strength—but she prevailed.
About the Author
Shortly after she was born in Chicago, Dorothy Hamill’s family moved to Greenwich, Connecticut—though once she began skating, she was constantly on the road training and competing. She was a three-time United States National Champion (1974-76) and won the World Championship and Olympic Gold Medal in 1976. She was an inductee of both the U.S. and World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and a headliner for the Ice Capades for seven years before briefly owning it. She can be seen today as a judge on SKATING WITH CELEBRITIES as well as skating performing in skating exhibitions. Dorothy lives with her daughter Alexandra in Connecticut—and when asked when she plan’s on stopping skating, she contentedly declares: “never.”
