Kwan, Michelle (1980-…), is a champion American figure skater. Kwan became the most decorated United States figure skater in the history of the sport. She won the women’s world championship in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2003. She won the U.S. Championship eight consecutive years, from 1998 to 2005. Kwan also won the U.S. Championship in 1996. In addition, she finished second in the women’s singles competition at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games and third at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Kwan has received more perfect scores in major competitions than any other singles skater in history.
Kwan was born on July 7, 1980, in Torrance, California. She began figure skating at the age of 5 and won her first competition at the age of 7. She wrote an autobiography, Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion (1997). In 2012, the U.S. State Department appointed Kwan to the post of senior adviser for public diplomacy and public affairs.
