Oksana Baiul has experienced many highs and lows throughout her life.
The world was introduced to the Ukrainian figure skater at the 1994 Winter Olympics, when she took home the gold medal in ladies’ single ice skating. After becoming a champion, Baiul moved to the United States and began performing in professional ice skating tours and shows.
Following her success on the rink, Baiul faced a series of public struggles. In 1977, she was arrested for a DUI and subsequently checked into a rehabilitation program. Baiul later revealed her drinking problem began when she started performing in ice skating tours.
“Except myself, nearly all the figure skaters on the bus were grown-ups, and it was full of alcohol. Most of the skaters were Russians and Americans, and they all drank,” Baiul told the Tribuana in 2015. “That’s when I tried it. I was very young, with no one to teach me the right. I thought it was the norm, ’cause as a teenager you don’t want to break away from the majority.”
Olympic Athletes: Where Are They Now?
Following her substance abuse treatment, Baiul married her manager, Carlo Farina, in 2012. The pair welcomed daughter Sophia three years later. In 2025, Baiul and Farina split after 13 years of marriage. The following year, i exclusively reported that Farina was awarded primary custody of Sophia.
Keep scrolling for a look back on Baiul’s ups and downs over the years.
1979
When Baiul was 2 years old, her parents divorced. Following the split, Baiul’s father left the family and she did not see him for years.
1991
Baiul’s mother died suddenly of ovarian cancer when the athlete was 13 years old. Baiul’s father attended the funeral, but she did not want anything to do with him, per the Chicago Tribune. Following her mom’s death, Baiul lived with several of her coaches.
1993
Baiul won her first gold medal when she took home the prize for ladies’ single ice skating during the World Championship in Prague.
1994
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Frosted PinkOne year after her big win at the World Championship, Baiul beat out Nancy Kerrigan for the gold at the Olympics. Following her win in Norway, Baiul moved to the United States and began performing in ice skating tours.
1997
At the beginning of the year, Baiul was arrested for a DUI after she crashed her car into a tree in Bloomfield, Connecticut. The charges were later dropped after Baiul met the terms of her probation and completed an alcohol education program.
In May 1997, Baiul was dropped from the Champions on Ice tour due to concerns about her drinking. That same month, Baiul entered an alcohol rehabilitation program for two and a half months.
2003
After last seeing her father at her mother’s funeral, Baiul had regrets about not having him in her life. According to the Chicago Tribune, Baiul reunited with her father in Ukraine thanks to the help of the manager at her old training rink.
2004
Baiul achieved six years of sobriety, calling the milestone “more important than Olympic gold” to the Chicago Tribune.
2012
Baiul married Farina in Pennsylvania.
2015
The couple welcomed Sophia.
2025
Farina filed for divorce from Baiul after 13 years of marriage. According to court documents obtained by Us, Farina claimed that he and Baiul separated in 2022.
2026
Us exclusively reported in January 2026 that Farina was awarded sole custody of Sophia per an agreement made between him and Baiul. Baiul agreed to enroll in anger management classes and be tested for alcohol and drugs to “ensure she is remaining sober,” per the docs.
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