Inside Nancy Kerrigan's Tragic Real-Life Story

Nancy Kerrigan is one of the most renowned American figure skaters, celebrated for her grace on the ice and her remarkable achievements, including two Olympic medals. However, her legacy is often overshadowed by a shocking incident that turned her life into a media spectacle. What began as a promising career was marred by a brutal attack just days before the 1994 Winter Olympics, leading to a national conversation about her life, struggles, and the intense scrutiny she faced from the public and media alike.

As she navigated the highs and lows of her career, Kerrigan's journey was riddled with personal challenges that shaped her into the resilient figure she is today. From her mother's tragic loss of eyesight to her father's sacrifices for her skating dreams, Nancy's family dynamics played a crucial role in her life story. Let's delve deeper into the events that defined Nancy Kerrigan's life and career, exploring the personal and public challenges she faced along the way.

Throughout her life, Kerrigan has demonstrated incredible resilience. Despite the hurdles, she continued to strive for excellence, becoming a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity. As we explore the various facets of her life, we will uncover the complexities of her experiences, highlighting both her triumphs and the struggles that have made her story so compelling.

Table of Contents

• Biography
• Nancy Kerrigan's Mother Lost Her Eyesight Right In Front of Her
• Nancy Kerrigan's Dad Bartered for Skating Lessons
• Nancy Kerrigan Was Attacked by Her Rival's Ex-Husband
• The Public Turned Against Her
• She Started Getting Death Threats
• The Disney Drama
• Nancy Kerrigan's Brother Was Involved in Her Father's Death
• She Spoke Out Against Her Brother's Conviction
• Hollywood Chose Tonya Harding Over Nancy Kerrigan
• Nancy Kerrigan Suffered a Series of Miscarriages

Biography

Nancy Kerrigan's Mother Lost Her Eyesight Right In Front of Her

Life first decided to throw Kerrigan a curveball when she was just a child, riding in her mother's car with her two siblings, Mark and Michael. Unfortunately, Nancy's mother, Brenda Kerrigan, contracted a rare virus that led to devastating consequences for the family. As her vision blurred on that fateful journey, Brenda ultimately lost her sight in one eye and could only see a little from the other.

Brenda shared her experience with the New York Times, stating, "I've never had any pain. It was just a virus, like you'd get a common cold." While she remained grateful for being able to see her daughter up close, Brenda's compromised vision meant she could never watch Nancy perform on the ice. Instead, she had to watch from a distance on television, missing out on the live experience of her daughter's performances.

Nancy Kerrigan's Dad Bartered for Skating Lessons

Watching Nancy perform from beneath the stands was just one of the many sacrifices her father made throughout his life. After Brenda unexpectedly went blind, Dan Kerrigan, a welder by trade, took on all of the responsibilities his wife had previously handled. Faced with financial difficulties, Dan struck a deal with the local rink manager: in exchange for operating the Zamboni and maintaining the ice, his daughter would receive skating lessons.

Brenda recalled their daily routine, saying, "Nancy and I would get up at 4:30, then I’d wake Dan up. I’d make Nancy’s breakfast. What’s the big deal about a glass of juice and a bowl of cereal? Dan would drive her to the rink, get on the Zamboni to make the ice, take a nap while she practiced, drive her to school, and then go to work himself." Through Dan's hard work and sacrifices, Nancy quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing her Olympic potential.

Nancy Kerrigan Was Attacked by Her Rival's Ex-Husband

It was her raw talent and Olympic potential that almost led to Nancy Kerrigan's downfall. Just two days before the trials for the 1994 Winter Olympics, she was brutally attacked outside the rink. The assailant, identified as Shane Stant, struck Kerrigan in the knee with a baton, a violent act reportedly orchestrated by the ex-husband of her rival, Tonya Harding.

Describing the attack, Kerrigan recalled, "I was walking from the practice rink to the locker room but I never made it. After I walked through some curtains, someone came from behind them and ran alongside me on my right. He hit me very hard, just once, then kept running." The aftermath of this shocking incident captured the attention of the media and public, igniting a frenzy surrounding both Kerrigan and Harding.

The Public Turned Against Her

After the attack, Nancy Kerrigan was offered numerous endorsement deals, making significant money even before the Olympics started. The 1994 women’s figure skating finals turned out to be the most-watched Olympic event in history, drawing the attention of millions. Despite proving her superiority over Harding during the games, the gold medal ultimately went to Ukrainian teen Oksana Baiul.

However, Kerrigan’s reaction to her defeat painted her in a negative light. Caught on camera making comments about Baiul, she was perceived as a sore loser. This moment significantly impacted her reputation, leading to public scrutiny and criticism.

She Started Getting Death Threats

Nancy Kerrigan's experience at the Olympics was overshadowed by the attack, leaving her unable to escape the public eye. "It was like, 'Oh, look, there’s that girl that was attacked,'" she recalled. The situation worsened when she found herself practicing alongside Tonya Harding, amidst a media frenzy.

The King of Norway even advised Kerrigan not to attend the closing ceremony for her safety due to the threats against her life. Kerrigan expressed confusion over her predicament, stating, "What did I do? They talk of it as the Tonya and Nancy story but I played no part other than being a victim." This period of her life was anything but easy, as she faced challenges from all directions.

The Disney Drama

Following the attack, Nancy Kerrigan signed a lucrative deal with Disney, reportedly worth around $2 million. This opportunity involved a book, a movie, and public appearances. While her fellow skaters enjoyed the closing ceremony at Lillehammer, Kerrigan was back in the U.S., participating in a Disney World parade alongside Mickey Mouse.

During her time with Disney, Kerrigan was recorded expressing her disdain for the parade, saying, "This is so corny, this is so dumb." Her comments quickly sparked backlash, further damaging her public image. Although Disney defended her, the film and book based on her life never came to fruition, marking another setback in her journey.

Nancy Kerrigan's Brother Was Involved in Her Father's Death

Years after her rise to fame, Nancy Kerrigan faced another tragedy when her father, Dan, died following an altercation with her brother, Mark. During an argument over the phone, Mark allegedly caused severe harm to their father, leading to Dan's death. The courtroom drama surrounding the incident painted a tragic picture of the family's struggles.

Mark received a sentence of two and a half years for assault and battery, claiming that his father's pre-existing health conditions played a role in the death. The entire situation left Nancy grappling with the loss of her father while navigating the complexities of familial relationships.

She Spoke Out Against Her Brother's Conviction

When Mark became eligible for parole, he made the surprising choice to request that the judge