History of Michelle Kwan in Timeline
Michelle Kwan is a highly decorated retired American figure skater and diplomat. She achieved significant success in figure skating, earning two Olympic medals, five World Championship titles, and nine U.S. National Championship titles, tying the all-time record. Post-skating, she served as the United States Ambassador to Belize from 2022 to 2025.
1928: Maribel Vinson-Owen's U.S. Championships
From 1928, Maribel Vinson-Owen won multiple U.S. Championships.
1933: Maribel Vinson-Owen's U.S. Championships
In 1933, Maribel Vinson-Owen won multiple U.S. Championships.
1935: Maribel Vinson-Owen's U.S. Championships
From 1935, Maribel Vinson-Owen won multiple U.S. Championships.
1937: Maribel Vinson-Owen's U.S. Championships
In 1937, Maribel Vinson-Owen won multiple U.S. Championships.
1956: Carol Heiss's World Titles
From 1956, Carol Heiss won multiple world titles.
1960: Carol Heiss's World Titles
In 1960, Carol Heiss finished her streak of world titles.
1971: Father's Emigration
In 1971, Michelle Kwan's father emigrated from Hong Kong to California.
July 7, 1980: Michelle Kwan's Birth
On July 7, 1980, Michelle Wingshan Kwan was born. She is a retired American competitive figure skater and diplomat.
1991: Training with Frank Carroll
In 1991, Michelle Kwan and her sister Karen began training with Frank Carroll in Lake Arrowhead, California.
1992: Senior-Level Figure Skater
At the age of 12 in 1992, Michelle passed the gold test to become a senior-level figure skater.
1993: First Senior U.S. Championships
In 1993, Michelle Kwan finished sixth at her first senior U.S. championships.
1993: Kerrigan Replaced Kwan
In 1993, Nancy Kerrigan was the national champion before being sidelined by an assault, after which Kwan was named to the Olympic team, but Kerrigan was later given Kwan's place.
1994: U.S. Championships Placement
In 1994, Michelle Kwan finished second to Tonya Harding at the U.S. Championships and went to Norway as an alternate for the Olympics but did not compete.
1994: Homeschooling Begins
In 1994, Michelle Kwan left public school to be homeschooled while in the 8th grade.
1994: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award
In 1994, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.
1994: World Junior Championships
In 1994, Michelle Kwan won the World Junior Championships.
1995: Development of Mature Style
During the 1995 season, Michelle Kwan began to develop a more mature skating style, incorporating music from "Salome's dance" from the film score King of Kings and "The Dance of the Seven Veils" from the Richard Strauss opera Salome.
1995: World Championships Placement
In 1995, Michelle Kwan finished eighth overall at the World Championships after placing eleventh in the short program but skating a strong freestyle program.
1995: 1995 U.S. and World Championships
In 1995, Michelle Kwan placed second at the U.S. Championships and fourth at the World Championships, despite a strong free skate performance at the latter.
1995: Skate America Win
In 1995, Michelle Kwan won Skate America due to her intricate choreography, emotional depth, and use of her Salome program.
1995: Reference to 1995
In 2005, it was the first time since 1995 that Kwan had failed to medal at any international competition
1995: Winning Streak Begins
In the fall of 1995, Michelle Kwan began a winning streak that lasted more than a year, establishing herself as a consistent and well-rounded skater known for her artistry and musicality.
1996: Debut of Change of Edge Spiral
Beginning in the 1996-1997 season, Kwan debuted a change of edge spiral that soon became her signature move.
1996: World Champion
In 1996, Michelle Kwan became a world champion in figure skating and U.S. champion.
1996: U.S. and World Championships Wins
In 1996, Michelle Kwan won both the U.S. Championships and the World Championships, edging out Chen Lu in a close competition. She became the third youngest figure skater to hold both titles.
1996: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award
In 1996, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.
1996: Start of 1996-97 Season
In the 1996-97 season, Michelle Kwan started to use the "Dream of Desdemona" short program and "Taj Mahal" free skate.
1997: Debut of Change of Edge Spiral
Beginning in the 1996-1997 season, Kwan debuted a change of edge spiral that soon became her signature move.
1997: Top-Paid Skater
From 1997, Michelle Kwan was the U.S. Figure Skating Association's top-paid skater in appearance fees and prize money.
1997: Losses to Tara Lipinski
In 1997, Michelle Kwan struggled with her jumps due to a growth spurt and problems with new skating boots. She lost to Tara Lipinski at the U.S. Nationals and the Champion Series Final, and came in second place at the World Championships behind Lipinski.
1997: Kwan-Lipinski Rivalry
In 1997, the American press focused on the Kwan-Lipinski rivalry. Kwan's programs emphasized sophistication and pure skating.
1998: Pro-Am Events and Competitive Programs
In 1998, Kwan bypassed the fall Grand Prix season, choosing instead to skate in made-for-television pro-am events. Her competitive programs that season were "Fate of Carmen" (short program) and "Lamento D'Ariane" (free skate).
1998: High School Graduation
In 1998, Michelle Kwan graduated from Rim of the World High School and subsequently attended UCLA for one year.
1998: Regaining U.S. Title
In 1998, Michelle Kwan regained her U.S. title from Lipinski at the National Championships despite a fractured toe, earning 6.0s from eight of the nine judges and delivering performances considered the high point of her career.
1998: Deal with Walt Disney Television
In 1998, Michelle Kwan struck a deal with Walt Disney Television. This deal led her to star in 3 prime-time skating specials on ABC, one of which was 'Reflections on Ice' an ice skating adaptation of the Disney film Mulan.
1998: Olympic Silver Medalist
In 1998, Michelle Kwan won a silver medal at the Olympics.
1998: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award
In 1998, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.
1998: World Championships
In 1998, Michelle Kwan won the World Championship.
1998: Publication of autobiography Heart of a Champion
In 1998, Scholastic published Michelle Kwan's autobiography, titled "Heart of a Champion".
1998: 1998 Olympic Games
In 1998, at the Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, Michelle Kwan placed first in the short program. In the free skate, she executed a clean seven-triple performance but placed behind Tara Lipinski, ultimately winning the silver medal. Lipinski won the gold, and Chen Lu won the bronze.
1998: Revival of Charlotte Spiral
In the 1998-1999 season, Kwan revived a variation of the Charlotte spiral, a move innovated by German skater Charlotte Oelschlägel which had not been performed in decades.
1999: 1999 U.S. Championships and World Championships
In 1999, Kwan won her third national title at the U.S. Championships. At the 1999 World Championships, Kwan placed second behind Maria Butyrskaya.
1999: Book deal with Disney Publishing Worldwide
In 1999, Michelle Kwan signed an 8-book deal with Disney Publishing Worldwide, which included "The Winning Attitude: What it Takes to be a Champion" and the "Michelle Kwan presents Skating Dreams" series by Nola Thacker.
1999: Michelle Kwan Skates to Disney's Greatest Hits
In 1999, Michelle Kwan starred in the prime-time skating special "Michelle Kwan Skates to Disney's Greatest Hits" on ABC.
1999: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award
In 1999, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.
1999: Michelle Kwan Figure Skating computer game release
In 1999, the "Michelle Kwan Figure Skating" computer game, released by Electronic Arts, featured Michelle Kwan.
1999: Revival of Charlotte Spiral
In the 1998-1999 season, Kwan revived a variation of the Charlotte spiral, a move innovated by German skater Charlotte Oelschlägel which had not been performed in decades.
2000: Triple Toe-Triple Toe Combination
During her career, Kwan included all the triples in her programs. She landed the triple toe-triple toe combination cleanly eleven times in competition, including at her 2000 world championship victory.
2000: Collaboration with Vera Wang Begins
During the 2000-2001 season, Kwan began working with Vera Wang, a designer who designed her competition and exhibition costumes for the next six years.
2000: 2000 U.S. Nationals and World Championships Victories
In 2000, Kwan's win at the U.S. Nationals was considered controversial by some. However, she ultimately won the free skate. At the 2000 World Championships, Kwan was in third place after the short program but won the overall title.
2000: Multi-year deal with Chevrolet
In 2000, Michelle Kwan signed a multi-year deal with Chevrolet estimated to be worth over $1 million. The Chevrolet/Michelle Kwan R.E.W.A.R.D.S. Scholarship program was then established.
2001: Triple Toe-Triple Toe Combination
During her career, Kwan included all the triples in her programs. She landed the triple toe-triple toe combination cleanly eleven times in competition, including at her 2001 world championship victory.
2001: End of Coaching Relationship with Carroll
In 2001, Kwan and Carroll decided to end their coaching relationship two days before the start of the Skate America competition.
2001: Recipient of the James E. Sullivan Award
In 2001, Kwan received the James E. Sullivan Award, an award given to America's best amateur athlete. She was the first figure skater to win it since Dick Button in 1949.
2001: 2001 U.S. Nationals and World Championships Victories
In 2001, Kwan won the national title, receiving first-place ordinals from all 9 judges. At the 2001 World Championships, Kwan won the title with her "Song of the Black Swan" free skate.
2001: Princess on Ice
In 2001, Michelle Kwan starred in "Princess on Ice", a skating special featuring performances by O-Town and SHeDAISY.
2001: Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year award
In 2001, Michelle Kwan won the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award given by Skating magazine.
2002: 2002 U.S. Championships and Olympic Games
In 2002, Kwan won the U.S. Championships and secured a place on the Olympic team. At the Olympic Games, she won the bronze medal. Her final event of the season was the 2002 Worlds, where she won the silver medal.
2002: Salt Lake City Olympics
In 2002, Michelle Kwan earned the bronze medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics.
2002: Celebrity Representative for The Walt Disney Company
In 2002, Michelle Kwan was named a "celebrity representative" and spokeswoman for The Walt Disney Company in a three-year deal.
2002: Olympic Bronze Medalist
In 2002, Michelle Kwan won a bronze medal at the Olympics.
2002: Start of Coaching with Scott Williams and Skate America Win
In the summer of 2002, Kwan began working with coach Scott Williams. She competed in Skate America, entered as a last-minute replacement, and won the event.
2003: Victories in 2002-2003 Competitive Season
During the 2002-2003 competitive season, Kwan won all phases of every competition she entered with her programs "The Feeling Begins" and "Concierto de Aranjuez". She won the U.S. Championships again and regained her World title in 2003.
2003: United States Olympic Committee Sportswoman of the Year
In 2003, Michelle Kwan was named the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) "Sportswoman of the Year", becoming the 5th figure skater in history to receive this honor.
2003: Award Renamed "Michelle Kwan Trophy"
In 2003, the United States Figure Skating Association announced that the "Readers' Choice Figure Skater of the Year" award would be renamed the "Michelle Kwan Trophy".
2003: Hiring Rafael Arutyunyan as Coach
In autumn 2003, Kwan hired Rafael Arutyunyan as her coach to increase the technical difficulty of her programs and improve her jump technique.
2004: Triple Flip-Double Toe-Double Loop Combination
During the 2004-2005 season, Kwan debuted a triple flip-double toe-double loop combination.
2004: Programs for 2004-2005 Season
For the 2004-2005 season, Kwan skated her long program to "Boléro" and debuted a new short program, "Adagio".
2004: Limited Competition on Olympic-Eligible Circuit
From the fall seasons of 2002 to 2004, Kwan competed in only one Grand Prix event. Kwan also chose not to compete in Grand Prix events in the 2003 and 2004 seasons where the new judging system was being used.
2004: Recipient of the USOC's Citizenship Through Sports Alliance Award
In 2004, Michelle Kwan received the USOC's "Citizenship Through Sports Alliance Award".
2004: 2003-2004 Competitive Season
In the 2003-2004 season, Kwan skated to "The Feeling Begins" and "Tosca". She won the U.S. Championships, earning seven more 6.0s. At the 2004 World Championships, she placed third overall.
December 2005: Hip Injury and TV Event Performance
Following a hip injury, Kwan withdrew from her planned competitions in the fall of 2005. Kwan skated her new short program ("Totentanz") at a made-for-TV event in December 2005, but her performance was below her usual standard.
2005: 2005 U.S. Championships and World Championship
At the U.S. Championships in 2005, Kwan won her 9th title. At the 2005 World Championship, Kwan finished fourth overall, marking the first time since 1995 that she had failed to medal at an international competition.
2005: Triple Flip-Double Toe-Double Loop Combination
During the 2004-2005 season, Kwan debuted a triple flip-double toe-double loop combination.
2005: Appearance in the film Ice Princess
In 2005, Michelle Kwan and Brian Boitano appeared as announcers in the film Ice Princess.
2005: U.S. Champion
In 2005, Michelle Kwan won the U.S. Championship, marking her ninth title and tying her with Maribel Vinson for the all-time National Championship record.
2005: Opening of EastWest Ice Palace
In 2005, Michelle Kwan's family opened the EastWest Ice Palace in Artesia, California, which houses many of her skating medals and memorabilia.
2005: End of Top-Paid Skater Period
In 2005, Michelle Kwan's period as the U.S. Figure Skating Association's top-paid skater in appearance fees and prize money came to an end.
January 4, 2006: Withdrawal from U.S. Figure Skating Championships
On January 4, 2006, Kwan withdrew from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with an abdominal injury incurred in December 2005.
January 14, 2006: Petition for Medical Waiver
On January 14, 2006, the USFSA's International Committee approved Kwan's petition for a medical waiver to be placed on the 2006 Olympic figure skating team.
February 12, 2006: Withdrawal from the 2006 Olympic Games
On February 12, 2006, the United States Olympic Committee announced that Kwan had withdrawn from the Games after suffering a new groin injury in her first practice in Turin.
August 2006: Elective Arthroscopic Surgery
In August 2006, Kwan underwent elective arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in her right hip.
November 9, 2006: Named Public Diplomacy Ambassador
On November 9, 2006, Michelle Kwan was named a public diplomacy ambassador by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. In this role, Kwan represented American values and traveled widely, especially among young people and sports enthusiasts.
2006: Renewal and Expansion of Disney Deal
In 2006, Michelle Kwan's deal with The Walt Disney Company was renewed and expanded.
2006: Transfer to the University of Denver
In the fall of 2006, Michelle Kwan transferred to the University of Denver. She described this as a turning point in her life, transitioning from being a full-time skater to a full-time student and had to use crutches due to hip surgery.
2006: No Competition in 2006-2007 Season
Kwan did not compete during the 2006-2007 figure skating season in 2006.
June 2007: Trip to Russia as public diplomacy envoy
In June 2007, Michelle Kwan traveled to Russia as part of her role as a public diplomacy envoy.
October 2007: Consideration of 2010 Winter Olympics
In October 2007, Kwan told the Associated Press that she would decide in 2009 if she planned to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
2007: First Overseas Trip as Public Diplomacy Ambassador
In 2007, Michelle Kwan made her first overseas trip as a public diplomacy ambassador, visiting China from January 17–25 to represent American values.
2007: No Competition in 2006-2007 Season
Kwan did not compete during the 2006-2007 figure skating season in 2007.
March 2008: Trip to Argentina as public diplomacy envoy
In March 2008, Michelle Kwan continued her role as a public diplomacy envoy with a trip to Argentina.
2008: Member of Committee of 100
As of 2008, Kwan became a member of the Chinese-American organization Committee of 100.
January 2009: Appointment to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
In January 2009, Michelle Kwan was appointed a member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by George W. Bush, continuing into the Obama administration.
February 2009: Trip to Ukraine as public diplomacy envoy
In February 2009, Michelle Kwan traveled to Ukraine as part of her role as a public diplomacy envoy.
June 2009: Graduation from Denver
In June 2009, Michelle Kwan graduated from Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies with a bachelor's degree in international studies and a minor in political science.
August 2009: On-Ice Appearance at Ice All Stars
In August 2009, Kwan made her first on-ice appearance in several years, performing at Ice All Stars in Seoul, South Korea.
2009: Graduation from University of Denver
In 2009, Kwan graduated from the University of Denver.
January 2010: Trip to South Korea as public diplomacy envoy
In January 2010, Michelle Kwan continued her role as a public diplomacy envoy with a trip to South Korea.
February 17, 2010: Studies and Commentating at the 2010 Winter Olympics
On February 17, 2010, Kwan told ABC News that she was continuing her studies at the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and her work as a Public Diplomacy Envoy. Kwan also said she would be commentating for Good Morning America at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
May 8, 2010: Honorary Doctorate
On May 8, 2010, Michelle Kwan was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Southern Vermont College.
December 2010: Opening of Skating Rink in Singapore
In December 2010, Kwan was the guest of honor to open a new skating rink at the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore, where she performed a modified routine to "Winter Song".
2010: Decision Not to Compete in 2010 Winter Olympics
Kwan ultimately decided not to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics, focusing instead on graduate school.
January 2011: Trip to Singapore as public diplomacy envoy
In January 2011, Michelle Kwan traveled to Singapore as part of her role as a public diplomacy envoy.
April 15, 2011: Adviser to the U.S.-China Women's Leadership Exchange and Dialogue
On April 15, 2011, Michelle Kwan was announced to serve as an adviser to the U.S.-China Women's Leadership Exchange and Dialogue (Women-LEAD).
April 2011: Meeting Clay Pell
In April 2011, Michelle Kwan met Clay Pell.
2011: Graduation from Fletcher School
In 2011, Michelle Kwan graduated from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University with a graduate degree in international relations.
2011: Board of Directors for the Special Olympics
In 2011, Michelle Kwan was added to the board of directors for the Special Olympics, having been a longtime supporter and participant in "unified sports" events.
September 2012: Engagement to Clay Pell
In September 2012, Michelle Kwan announced her engagement to Clay Pell, an American lawyer and military officer.
December 2012: State Department Senior Adviser for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
In December 2012, Michelle Kwan was appointed as a State Department senior adviser for public diplomacy and public affairs.
January 19, 2013: Marriage to Clay Pell
On January 19, 2013, Michelle Kwan married Clay Pell in Providence, Rhode Island. Vera Wang designed her wedding gown.
February 2014: Clay Pell's Candidacy for Governor of Rhode Island
In February 2014, Clay Pell, Michelle Kwan's husband, declared his candidacy for Governor of Rhode Island, but was unsuccessful in his bid.
2014: Fox Sports 1 Broadcast
In 2014, Kwan joined Fox Sports 1 for its Winter Olympics broadcast.
June 2015: Support for Hillary Clinton's Campaign
In June 2015, Michelle Kwan announced her support for Hillary Clinton's campaign by working on outreach efforts from Clinton's headquarters in Brooklyn.
2016: Surrogate for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign
In 2016, Michelle Kwan worked as a surrogate to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign as an outreach coordinator, stating, "There was no way that I could sit on the sidelines."
March 2017: Divorce Filing
In March 2017, after four years of marriage, Clay Pell filed for divorce from Michelle Kwan, citing irreconcilable differences.
May 2021: Executive Producer of "Recipe for Change"
In May 2021, it was announced that Michelle Kwan would executive produce "Recipe for Change" for YouTube, a special celebrating Asian and Pacific Islanders culture.
June 16, 2021: "Recipe for Change" Airs
On June 16, 2021, "Recipe for Change", executive produced by Michelle Kwan, aired on YouTube, bringing together Asian American celebrities, chefs, activists, and creators.
January 5, 2022: Birth of Daughter
On January 5, 2022, Michelle Kwan announced the birth of her first child, a daughter named Kalista Belle Kwan.
January 7, 2022: Formal Nomination as Ambassador to Belize
On January 7, 2022, Michelle Kwan was formally nominated to be United States ambassador to Belize.
May 18, 2022: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing
On May 18, 2022, the hearings on Michelle Kwan's nomination for ambassador were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
June 9, 2022: Favorable Report by the Senate Committee
On June 9, 2022, Michelle Kwan's nomination was reported favorably by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
September 29, 2022: Confirmation by the Senate
On September 29, 2022, Michelle Kwan was confirmed by the Senate as U.S. Ambassador to Belize.
October 10, 2022: Sworn in as Ambassador to Belize
On October 10, 2022, Michelle Kwan was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Belize, following her appointment on October 7th.
December 5, 2022: Presentation of Credentials to Governor-General of Belize
On December 5, 2022, Michelle Kwan presented her credentials to the Governor-General of Belize, Dame Froyla Tzalam.
2022: U.S. Ambassador to Belize
In 2022, Michelle Kwan became the United States Ambassador to Belize.
January 2025: End of Ambassadorship to Belize
Michelle Kwan served as the United States Ambassador to Belize through the Biden administration, leaving the position in January 2025.
2025: End of Ambassadorship
In 2025, Michelle Kwan's term as United States Ambassador to Belize came to an end.
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