Oksana Baiul is a former figure skater from Ukraine who made a mark in history. She was the first Olympic champion to represent independent Ukraine, snagging the gold medal in ladies’ singles at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. She’s known for her amazing artistry and grace on the ice, and she even became the World Champion in 1993.

Her coach, Galina Zmievskaya, once pointed out just how tough her training conditions were, saying, “You have no idea how this girl prepared to be Olympic champion. We had no Zamboni in the rink. I hosed down the ice myself. No Olympic champion ever had such bad conditions to prepare in.” Now let’s take a closer look at what else has been going on in her life.

Who is Oksana Baiul?

Oksana Serhiyivna Baiul was born on November 16, 1977, in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukrainian SSR (now Dnipro, Ukraine). Her rise to the top of figure skating was guided by coach Galina Zmievskaya, who took in the orphaned Baiul in 1992, providing not only technical training but also a home and family support.

At the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, the 16-year-old Baiul made history by winning the gold medal in ladies’ singles, becoming the first Olympic champion to compete under the Ukrainian flag and the first for independent Ukraine in any sport. Her victory was both dramatic and hard-fought; after a collision in practice left her with a stitched shin and a back injury requiring pain-killing injections, she delivered a captivating and artistic free skate to defeat Nancy Kerrigan (who herself was returning from the injuries caused to her by way of Tonya Harding) by the slimmest of margins.

Reflecting on the immense pressure, Baiul later stated, “Sometimes the Olympic crown is too heavy,” acknowledging the lifelong weight of the achievement.

What is Oksana Baiul’s net worth?

Based on celebritynetworth.com, Oksana Baiul has an estimated net worth of $20 million. Her wealth originated from her Olympic and World Championship gold medals, which led to lucrative professional opportunities in the United States. “We’ve been trying to Americanize her as much as possible, and the U.S. public has responded very well,” one of her agents, Michael Carlisle, told TIME back in 1996.

This included multi-million dollar contracts for ice skating tours, television specials, and endorsements. She further expanded her income through business ventures like her own jewelry and clothing lines, book publications, and various television appearances, including Bravo’s “Celebrity Poker Showdown” and ABC’s “Master of Champions.”

Who is Oksana Baiul’s husband?

Oksana Baiul’s husband is Carlo J. Farina, an American businessman, investor, and producer who founded the Carlo J. Farina Co., Ltd., with ventures in energy, entertainment, and sports management. The couple married in Pennsylvania in 2015, and Baiul has publicly expressed her affection for him, posting on Facebook, “Dear husband, thank you for teaching me the meaning of love and loving me unconditionally every day. I love you with all my heart and soul. From our first meeting till now, I have always been thankful to you for your love, support and trust. I love you a lot!”

However, in August 2025, Baiul announced on social media that the couple is divorcing after approximately ten years of marriage. “Dear extended fam and friends, I’m expressing myself to you this morning regarding my personal circumstances. My husband and I are divorcing I am asking for prayers and I am praying for #sophiabaiulfarina … #sobriety In Gods hands know thank you for my lesson,” she wrote.

Does Oksana Baiul have children?

Yes, Oksana Baiul has one daughter named Sophia Baiul-Farina. Sophia was born around 2015 and is 10 years old as of 2025. “She likes artistic experiences – that’s what makes her happy. And skating is one of them,” Baiul once said about her daughter in a phone interview.

What are Oksana Baiul’s biggest career highlights?

Oksana Baiul’s career is marked by historic achievements, most notably becoming the 1993 World Champion in Prague at just 15 years old, and, one year later, winning the Olympic gold medal in ladies’ singles at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Games.

Following her amateur success, she moved to the United States and built a prolific professional career, which included starring in televised ice shows like “The Nutcracker on Ice,” participating in professional tours, and making various TV appearances on programs such as “Celebrity Poker Showdown” and MTV’s “Total Request Live.”

What is Oksana Baiul doing now?

Oksana Baiul is relocating from Shreveport, Louisiana, back to Las Vegas after struggling to establish a sustainable career in figure skating in Louisiana. She has listed her Shreveport mansion for sale for nearly $1.2 million and announced that her plans, including opening a skating school, “did not come to fruition,” stating, “I can’t make a living in Shreveport.”

Her professional future lies in Las Vegas, where she has a new role working with the skating programs staff within the Vegas Golden Knights organization, with a focus on developing and growing the skating community. This career reset coincides with a significant personal transition, as she is also going through a divorce from her husband, Farina, after 10 years of marriage.