14. Tonya Harding
Tonya Harding, born in 1970, was a prominent American figure skater who made history in 1991 by becoming the first American woman to land a triple axel in competition. Her career took a dramatic turn in January 1994 when her ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, orchestrated an attack on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, aiming to eliminate her from the upcoming Winter Olympics. Harding pleaded guilty to hindering the investigation into the assault, resulting in a lifetime ban from competitive skating. The incident sparked widespread media coverage and public debate on issues of class, ambition, and media ethics, significantly influencing the portrayal of women in sports. Her story was later depicted in the 2017 film “I, Tonya.” (biography.com)
