Or perhaps it is their artistry that makes the greats of American figure skating enjoyable to watch. As anyone who’s tried figure skating can attest to, learning to skate gracefully, let alone to perform jumps and spins, can be taxing and tiring. Yet the celebrated figure skaters on this list are not only able to skate, spin, and spring into the air but also to do so with grace, passion, and style. Their routines can be beautiful or humorous, heartbreaking or inspiring. This list includes the best female figure skaters in American figure skating history. They are all worth remembering, from the early greats (such as Tenley Albright) to the newer faces (such as Rachael Flatt), whether for athleticism, artistry, or a combination of both.
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- Retired American figure skater Michelle Kwan is considered one of the best.
- Other than being a five time world champion, she was the first to do a double axle in an Olympic.
- The diminutive Hamilton overcame a childhood illness to eventually win four consecutive national championships within the U.S. ( ) and four straight world titles.
- She is from the United States and the youngest to win a gold at the Olympics for female figure skating.
Sonja Henie of Norway won the Olympic figure skating championship in 1928, 1932, and 1936. She is a figure skating legend and is also considered the first ice skating celebrity. She was known for bringing ballet, white skates, and short skating dresses to the ice. Other great figure skating ladies are remembered for their artistry and emotion. Fans of figure skating can’t forget Ekaterina Gordeeva’s touching performance and tribute to her late husband and partner, Sergei Grinkov.
Top 10 Greatest Female Figure Skaters In The World 2025
Former American figure skater Carol Heiss is most recognized for her achievements in the 1950s and 1960s. She won the gold medal in women’s figure skating at the 1960 Olympics, was a six-time U.S. national champion from 1953 to 1958, and was a two-time World Champion from 1956 to 1960. Heiss is renowned for her grace and technical accuracy on the ice, making her one of the top skaters of her time. She went on to perform professionally after her competitive career, and she eventually started coaching and participating in skating shows.
Kristi Yamaguchi:
The names of these personalities are Janet Lynn, Midori Ito, Kristi Yamaguchi, Tara Lipinski, Michelle Kwan, Peggy Fleming, Oksana Baiul, Carol Heiss, Katarina Witt, and Sonja Henie. In 2004, at the age of 15, Tara Lipinski became the youngest person to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. In the women’s singles event at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, she won the gold title. Lipinski became a well-known figure in the sport because of how well she could skate and how gracefully she did it.
- Katarina Witt, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time World champion, also deserves mention for her awe-inspiring presence and versatile style.
- She won two Olympic gold medals and four World Championships, bringing drama and excitement to every routine.
- With a new generation of skaters poised to make their mark, the legacy of these top 10 female figure skaters of all time will continue to inspire and captivate fans for years to come.
- Kristi Yamaguchi is an American figure skater who won an Olympic gold medal and is now retired.
She is remembered for her beautiful skating, ballet movement, and expression. Retired American figure skater Michelle Kwan is considered one of the best. She ruled figure skating for over a decade after being born in Torrance, California, on July 7, 1980. Michelle Kwan was a skating icon and symbol of endurance due to her grace, consistency, and technical skill. Her iconic routines set to classical and contemporary music showcased her emotive expressions and skating.
List of figure skaters (women’s singles)
These remarkable individuals embody the perfect blend of artistry and power, pushing the boundaries of the sport to new heights. Diving into the lives and accomplishments of these extraordinary athletes uncovers why they have forever etched their names into the annals of figure skating history. She is regarded as one of the greatest skaters of all time and also the most decorated skater to have never won an Olympic gold medal. She has won silver and bronze at Olympics, been World Champion five times and US National Champion for a record nine times. On the ice she is known for her artistry, consistency, and expressions, she has been one of the highest-paid skaters of the US. A legend not only in terms of U.S. figure skating history but also on the international stage.
Kristi was the one to stop Midori’s run at the 1992 Olympics and won the gold medal defeating her. She won two other world championships and was the 1992 United States champion. American figure skater Tara Lipinski is ranked in the seventh position among the greatest female figure skaters. She is the youngest skater who won a gold medal at the women’s single Olympic and World Figure Skating Championship. She is the winner of The Grand Prix Final champion two times and is the 1997 US Champion also.
They may be retired, and some have passed away, but their memories continue to live on in the world of ladies’ figure skating. Figure skating is a sport that seamlessly blends athleticism with artistry, and there is perhaps no greater testament to this unique combination than the skaters themselves. Their grace, precision, and expressive performances on the ice capture the imaginations and hearts of audiences worldwide. In this list, we celebrate not just the elegance and skill of current and emerging figure skating stars, but also their captivating beauty that enchants fans on and off the rink. Peggy Fleming At number 5 in the top 10 greatest female figure skaters of all time is Peggy Fleming from the USA.
Gracie Gold, 26
After retiring from competitive skater in 2006, Kwan has continued to skate and volunteer. After working for the State Department, she entered public service and diplomacy. He’s also gone on to become one of the most well known and respected skating commentators and analysts. Besides being the greatest female figure skaters of all time, she also holds her own in the hottest female skaters of all times list too. Tara Lipinski burst onto the figure skating scene in the late 1990s and quickly made a name for herself with her incredible talent and skill. With a world championship, a U.S. championship, and an Olympic gold medal to her name, Lipinski is a true legend in the sport.
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Kristi Yamaguchi, another revered Olympic champion, is celebrated not only for her success as a singles skater but also for her accomplishments in pairs skating. Peggy Flemming, a trailblazer in women’s ice skating, dramatically revitalized the sport with her groundbreaking performances and style, capturing the attention of millions globally. Distinguished by their popularity, unique skills, and personal stories, each figure skater in this comprehensive compilation exemplifies what it means to be considered an icon in the sport. With dazzling performances and groundbreaking achievements, these top figure famous ice skaters female skaters have left indelible marks on the hearts and minds of fans worldwide. Through their triumphs and setbacks, they continue to inspire future generations of aspiring ice skaters to reach for greatness.
She landed a triple combination for the first time as she did with the triple axle. What makes it more legendary is that she did both in a global competition (the Olympics). She made her name as an actress appearing in films like Storm Over Lisbon, Dakota, and The Fighting Kentuckian. Figure Skating includes women’s Single league under which several women participate and prove themselves. “I was just overwhelmed that I really did everything that you could want,” she told the Washington Post after her routine. Gold added, “I built a whole career of bombing shorts at nationals and not from a lack of training.”
Not only is Hamilton one of the greatest skaters of all time, but he remains a true ambassador for the sport — and not just in the United States. The diminutive Hamilton overcame a childhood illness to eventually win four consecutive national championships within the U.S. ( ) and four straight world titles. Of course, Hamilton’s career highlight came with a gold at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo. Evgenia Medvedeva is a Russian figure skater who has won two silver Olympic medals, two World Championship gold medals, and two European Championship gold medals. At the 2017 World Championships, Medvedeva became the first 16-year-old female skater after Michelle Kwan to win back-to-back world titles. Evgenia Medvedeva is also the first skater to achieve two Grand Slams in a row.