As the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina spotlight a new generation of American stars like the Blade Angels – the trio of Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito – the shadow of Michelle Kwan still looms large.
The most decorated U.S. figure skater in history and two-time Olympic medalist shaped what it meant to be a skater. But, 24 years after she competed in Salt Lake City, Best Quality Designer Handbag explores how Michelle left her mark on the world not through triple axles, but through international policy.
Who is Michelle Kwan?
Michelle was born on July 7, 1980 outside of Los Angeles, California to parents Danny Kwan and Estella Kwan, immigrants from Hong Kong. When she was five, Michelle started figure skating and she never looked back.
© Getty ImagesThroughout her skating career, Michelle won five World Championships, nine U.S. Championships, the silver medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and the bronze medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Michelle's longevity in the sport, dominating for over a decade, is a feat rarely seen in figure skating.
But, her intense focus on figure skating was often lonely. In 2017, Michelle told Allure: "When I look at my own career, growing up I was doing really well at age 11, but it was kind of isolating because back then, people weren't hanging out with me. [My mom] had my back and was like, 'You keep focused, you gotta keep focused.' And I think those kinds of lessons were hard."
Michelle Kwan's life after the Olympics
While Michelle didn't retire until 2006, her last Olympics was in Salt Lake City. But, she was well set up to launch into a different career. Michelle utilized her experience skating on ice across the globe into a political legacy.
At the same time that she was a competitive figure skater, Michelle was studying international relations at the University of Denver (DU).
© Getty ImagesIn 2009, Michelle graduated from Denver's Josef Korbel School of International Studies. She then earned a master's degree in law and diplomacy at Tufts University in 2011.
Michelle's academic rigor moved her from the front of the camera to behind-the-scenes political conversations. Her life in politics continued during both Barack Obama's and Joe Biden's administrations, where she notably served as the Director of Surrogates for Biden's 2020 campaign.
In 2021, President Biden announced that he intended to nominate Michelle as the United States Ambassador to Belize, making history as the first Asian American woman to hold the position.
During her tenure, which lasted until January 2025, Michelle oversaw the donation of the U.S. aircraft for reconnaissance missions.
Is Michelle Kwan married?
Michelle tied the knot with Clay Pell on January 19, 2013. The two were married in a ceremony in Providence, Rhode Island, to which Michelle wore a gown designed by Vera Wang – the designer behind some of her most iconic figure skating outfits.
© Getty ImagesBut, four years after they walked down the aisle, Michelle and Clay filed for divorce.
Michelle and motherhood
Since then, Michelle reinvented her personal life with the same quiet determination she applied to her political one. On January 5, 2022, Michelle announced the birth of her first daughter, Kalista Belle Kwan. She shared to Instagram: "I'm overjoyed and tears of happiness are streaming down my face. I've always wanted to be a mom."
© InstagramThree years later, Michelle welcomed her second daughter, Della Rose Kwan. The former figure skater again shared the news to Instagram, writing: "Christmas came early. I'm overjoyed to share that our baby girl has arrived! My heart doubled in an instant the moment I held her in my arms, and watching my daughter walk into the hospital to meet her baby sister brought tears to my eyes."
Michelle has kept her relationship status private, not announcing who the father of her daughters is. By maintaining this boundary, Kwan has managed to do what few child stars accomplish: transitioning into a respected global leader while keeping her private life strictly on her own terms.
