How the World's Greatest Skater
Promoted Herself to Movie Stardom
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Sonja at 8
Sonja Henie (Sun-ya Hen-ny), born in Oslo, Norway, April 8, 1912, studied ballet dancing at 4 and started ice skating when she was 7.
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Champion
This is Sonja at 9, when she won her first medal, as junior figure skating champion of the Oslo skating club. At 11 she won the Norwegian figure skating title, at 14 the world's and at 16 the 1928 Olympic title, which she retained in 1932 and 1936.
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Among Her Souvenirs
These skating trophies and others Sonja owns have a cash value estimated at $100,000. They represent her three Olympic, 10 world's, and hundreds of lesser figure skating championships, but they do not represent all her ambition. Knowing how soon sports champions are forgotten, she had determined, even before the 1936 Olympics, to become a moving picture star. Her first move was to turn professional after winning her third Olympic title. Leaving home and amateur glories behind, she came to the U.S., made her first paid appearance in Madison Square garden, continued on to Hollywood, where today she ranks No. 1 at the boxoffice - even outdrawing Shirley Temple.
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Publicity Shot
In Hollywood, Sonja had to pose for such pictures as this - which she does not like - as part of her "build-up." She is 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs 110.
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She Had to Sell Her Skating
Sonja, meeting a cool reception in Hollywood, outsmarted the movie capital at its own game. She bought a big white car. Then she rented a rink and put on a show such as Hollywood had never seen. It brought producers to her door, and another star was born.
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After the Ice Melts
Sonja's first picture, "One in a Million," was a sensation. Audiences gasped at the grace of the brown-eyed Norwegian beauty's ballet dancing on ice. Her second film, "Thin Ice," was also a big hit. Her third picture, "Happy Landing," is being released January 28. Sonja's contract with 20th Century-Fox calls for 10 pictures in 5 years, at a total salary of about a million dollars. She also makes money giving exhibitions on tour. At 25, she is an excellent business woman, and is said to be insured for three million dollars. She has never been badly hurt while skating.
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Make-Up
Buddy Westmore, make-up artist, is preparing Sonja for the cameras in "Happy Landing." Sonja's mother is usually on the set with her to criticize or approve skating scenes. Two movie studios turned Sonja down when she first turned professional.
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She Likes Old Skates
Sonja, inspecting her make-up here, often buys new skates, but soon discards them for a pair now several years old. She used to practice six hours a day in Norway.
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A Kiss from Tyrone Power
Sonja and Tyrone, who appeared with her in "Thin Ice," were much together during her first months in Hollywood. The romance, now apparently over, kept the nation's gossip columnists busy. Neither has ever been married.
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Her King Sends Flowers
Sonja, seen here with Cesar Romero, is much admired by King Haakon, who frequently sends her carnations in appreciation of the fame she has brought to Norway. He recently made her a Knight of St. Olaf, the only woman to receive Norway's highest honor. Norway rates her as its greatest living private citizen, and its fifth greatest in history.
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This article, entitled "Why Sonja Henie Left Home," appeared in the February 1, 1938 issue of Look Magazine, and is reprinted here in its entirety. It is ©1938 Look, Inc. The copyright has, I assume, lapsed by now. Many thanks to Rita Piro for donating this magazine to my collection so I could display it here! Thanks, Rita!
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