Kristi Yamaguchi's Biography

Growing up, Kristi Yamaguchi had a Dorothy Hamill doll and whilst she was in the lead at the Olympics in 1992, Dorothy Hamill wished her luck and Kristi went on to win.

Kristi Yamaguchi's victory made her the first American figure skater to win the Olympic Gold Medal since Hamill herself back in 1976.

Kristi Yamaguchi also won skating world titles in consecutive years (1991 and 1992).

Kristi Yamaguchi was born in July 1971 in California. Her father was a dentist.

Kristi was born with club feet.

After she retired from competitive skating, Kristi Yamaguchi performed in a variety of TV specials. From 1992 to 2002, Kristi featured in Stars On Ice.

In 1996, she founded the Always Dream Foundation dedicated to supporting organizations that have a positive influence on children.

Kristi Yamaguchi married hockey player Bret Hedican on July 8, 2000. They had first met at the opening ceremonies of the 1992 Winter Olympics.

She has written Figure Skating For Dummies and Kristi Yamaguchi, Always Dream.

Kristi Yamaguchi partnering Mark Ballas won Dancing with the Stars series 6.

Kristi Yamaguchi got the highest ever first round score in Dancing with the Stars, when she and Mark notched up three 9s.

In the final of Dancing with the Stars, Kristi and Mark scored an amazing perfect 90 points from the judges.

In 2010, Kristi Yamaguchi was hired by the Today show as an NBC special correspondent during the Winter Olympic Games.