Born: 1911 (Antwerp, Belgium)
Died: 2003
Biography:
Vivi-Anne Hultén (25 August 1911 – 15 January 2003) was a Swedish figure skater who achieved remarkable success in her career. Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Hultén displayed her exceptional talent and dedication at a young age. Throughout her career, she became known for her graceful and powerful performances on the ice.
Hultén’s journey in figure skating began under the guidance of a brother of Gillis Grafström, a legendary Swedish skater. She quickly honed her skills and made her mark on the international stage. In 1932, Hultén competed in the Winter Olympics and finished in an impressive fifth place. Her determination and skill propelled her to even greater achievements in the following years.
In 1933, Hultén secured a silver medal at the World Championships held in Stockholm, finishing behind the iconic Sonja Henie. This marked the beginning of her consistent success in international competitions. In 1936, she once again stood on the Olympic podium, earning the bronze medal at the Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Hultén’s Olympic success, however, went beyond her remarkable performance on the ice. When ordered to perform a Nazi salute to Hitler, she boldly refused, declaring I am from Sweden. I don’t do things like that. Her defiant stance against the oppressive regime demonstrated her integrity and bravery.
Beyond her Olympic achievements, Hultén’s list of accolades continued to grow. She became a four-time World medalist, a two-time European bronze medalist, and an impressive ten-time Swedish national champion. Her remarkable skills and consistency made her a respected and admired figure within the figure skating community.
After retiring from amateur competition, Hultén embarked on a successful professional career. She toured with renowned shows such as the Ice Follies, Ice Cycles, and Ice Capades. Additionally, she formed an adagio pair with Gene Theslof, her future husband and a talented Finnish figure skater and gymnast. The duo captivated audiences across the United States and Europe with their exquisite performances.
In the mid-1960s, Hultén settled in the United States and together with Theslof, she opened a prestigious skating school in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her passion for the sport extended beyond her own performances as she dedicated herself to teaching a new generation of skaters. Hultén’s expertise and experience made her an invaluable asset to the skating community.
Her contributions to the sport were recognized by Herb Brooks, who hired her as a skating coach for his Minnesota North Stars hockey team. Hultén’s coaching skills further solidified her position as a respected figure within the skating world. She continued to actively teach on the ice until the age of 86, leaving an indelible impact on countless aspiring skaters.
Aside from her professional achievements, Hultén’s personal life played an integral role in shaping her journey. She was married twice, first to Nils Tholand, an American steel importer, and later to Gene Theslof. With Gene Theslof, she had a son named Gene Theslof III, who followed in his parents’ footsteps and became a prominent adagio skater himself.
Hultén’s legacy extended beyond her immediate family. She was the grandmother of American professional soccer coach Nick Theslof, illustrating the far-reaching influence of her extraordinary life.
In later years, Hultén continued to share her passion for figure skating by performing for the King and Queen of Sweden. Remarkably, she skated in ten ice shows with the Ice Capades in Minneapolis, Minnesota, even at the age of 80. Her dedication and love for the sport were unyielding, and she left an enduring impact on the ice skating world.
Vivi-Anne Hultén lived a life of remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to her craft. Her refusal to compromise her principles and her dedication to pushing the boundaries of figure skating have solidified her status as one of Sweden’s all-time great female athletes. A statue of Hultén performing a spiral can be found in a lake in Budapest, a testament to her lasting influence and impact on the sport.
Awards:
– 1936 Olympic Bronze Medalist
– Four-time World Medalist
– Two-time European Bronze Medalist
– Ten-time Swedish National Champion