The last years of Sonja Henie‘s life were a mix of continued public appearances and private battles. Even as her health began to wane, she maintained the image of the dazzling ice princess who had charmed the world. Henie’s life after retiring from both competitive skating and acting was still filled with the opulence and social whirl that had characterized her peak career years. She was often seen in the company of high society, attending glamorous events and living the luxurious lifestyle that her successful career had afforded her.
Henie, along with her third husband, Niels Onstad, also focused on her passion for art, amassing an impressive collection. In 1968, a year before her death, the couple founded the Henie-Onstad Kunstsenter, an art center located just outside Oslo.
She passed away on October 12, 1969. The world came to know of her demise due to leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Henie’s battle with this illness marked the final, private struggle of a public icon. Despite her vivacious public persona, the details of her illness were kept discreet, a stark contrast to the global fame she had enjoyed.
In an era when privacy was still possible for public figures, Henie’s health issues remained largely out of the public eye until the end of her life. Leukemia was less understood in the 1960s than it is today, and treatments were not as advanced. The illness was relentless, and even with her fighter’s spirit—the same one that had earned her three consecutive Olympic gold medals in figure skating—Henie was unable to overcome it.
Sojna Henie’s Last Photo
There, Henie stands, a figure of poise and dedication, addressing an audience at a landmark event that married her passion for art with her commitment to cultural philanthropy. This image, tinged with the bittersweet knowledge that it would be her last, portrays Henie as the public remembers her: not just a world-renowned athlete but a benefactor who continued to leave a mark on the world beyond the ice rink.
Resting Place of a Star
After her death, Sonja Henie was laid to rest in Norway, the country of her birth. Her grave is located at Vestre Gravlund in Oslo, which is the largest cemetery in Norway by number of burials. It is a fitting final resting place for Henie, who always held her Norwegian heritage close to her heart throughout her global adventures.
The cemetery itself is a tranquil place, reflective of Norway’s deep respect for nature and quiet reflection. Henie’s grave, like many in the Nordic tradition, is likely marked in a modest fashion, which stands in contrast to the flamboyance and flair she displayed on the ice and the silver screen. Visitors to her grave often leave tokens of respect, remembering not just the athlete or the actress, but the person who captured the world’s imagination with her grace and talent.
