Tonya Harding is one of the most controversial and compelling figures in sports history. Best known for her figure skating achievements and the infamous 1994 scandal involving rival Nancy Kerrigan, Harding’s name has remained etched in public memory for decades. But beyond the headlines, Tonya Harding has lived a life filled with personal transformations, including her roles as a wife and mother. While many associate her with her tumultuous past, her journey as a partner in marriage and her efforts to build a quiet, family-oriented life deserve equal attention.
In this article, we explore Tonya Harding’s life as a wife—focusing on her relationships, her current marriage to Joseph Jens Price, and how she has evolved beyond the tabloid controversies of the 1990s.
Early Relationships and First Marriage
Tonya Harding married her first husband, Jeff Gillooly, in 1990 when she was just 19 years old. Their relationship became highly scrutinized due to the events surrounding the 1994 attack on Nancy Kerrigan, for which Gillooly ultimately accepted a plea deal in exchange for testifying against Harding. The marriage was reportedly volatile, with claims of physical and emotional abuse from both parties.
After the scandal erupted, Harding and Gillooly divorced in 1993, but their connection remained a focal point in the media. While she was banned from competitive figure skating, Harding became a pop culture figure and continued to appear in tabloids, reality shows, and even celebrity boxing events. However, her personal relationships during this time were often kept private.
Who Is Tonya Harding’s Husband Now?
Tonya Harding is currently married to Joseph Jens Price, and their relationship has been a significant source of stability and support in her life.
How They Met
Harding met Joseph Jens Price in 2010 at a local restaurant in Washington state, where he worked as an HVAC technician and occasionally sang karaoke. Their connection was instant. Harding, who had become wary of media attention and public perception, found comfort in Price’s grounded, down-to-earth nature.
They married later that year, and their bond has remained strong ever since. Price has generally kept a low profile and avoided the spotlight, providing a stark contrast to Harding’s earlier relationships, which were often fraught with drama and media intrusion.
A Family Life Out of the Spotlight
In 2011, Tonya and Joseph welcomed their son, Gordon Price, into the world. Becoming a mother deeply transformed Harding’s outlook on life. She has spoken in interviews about how motherhood gave her purpose and a renewed sense of identity beyond skating or scandal.
The couple resides in rural Washington, where they enjoy a quiet life away from the pressures of fame. Harding has described her husband as supportive, loving, and a great father—someone who has helped her leave the pain of her past behind.
While she occasionally appears in public interviews or skating-related specials, Harding has primarily focused on raising her son and maintaining a strong family unit. She once said in an interview, “I’m not the person they say I am. I’m a wife and a mom, and that’s the most important thing to me now.”
Joseph Jens Price: Who Is He?
Though not a public figure himself, Joseph Jens Price has drawn some curiosity from fans and media. He is a blue-collar worker who reportedly has a love for music and motorcycles. His low-key personality and quiet lifestyle have provided Harding with a grounded environment—something she didn’t have in her earlier years.
By all accounts, Price is a devoted family man who prefers staying out of the limelight. He hasn’t given interviews or sought fame through his wife’s past, which has likely contributed to the longevity and stability of their marriage.
Tonya Harding’s Transformation Over the Years
Harding’s evolution from disgraced athlete to loving wife and mother is remarkable. For many years, her image was dominated by tabloid headlines and criminal associations, but recent portrayals—like the critically acclaimed 2017 film I, Tonya—have prompted audiences to see her in a more complex light.
Portrayal in “I, Tonya”
In I, Tonya, Margot Robbie plays Harding in a role that earned widespread acclaim. The film reframed Harding’s life by showing the abuse she faced, her difficult upbringing, and her struggle against a system that often marginalized her.
Though not without controversy, the film led to renewed public interest in her story and brought attention to her life outside the infamous incident. Harding even attended the Golden Globes with the film’s cast and walked the red carpet—an experience that marked her return to public favor, if only briefly.
Why Her Marriage Matters
Tonya Harding’s marriage to Joseph Jens Price isn’t just a footnote in her biography—it’s a symbol of personal growth, resilience, and the ability to reinvent one’s life after scandal.
In a world where public figures are often judged solely by their worst moments, Harding’s ability to build a stable, loving home with her husband stands as a quiet victory. While she may never fully escape the shadows of her past, her family life suggests that healing and happiness are possible even after public humiliation and trauma.
Tonya Harding Today
Harding has mostly retreated from public view in recent years, choosing to focus on her family and well-being. She occasionally gives interviews or appears in skating specials, but she’s no longer interested in reclaiming celebrity status. Instead, she’s embraced her role as a mother, wife, and survivor.
In her own words, she’s not looking for sympathy but simply wants to be understood for who she is today—not who she was during a highly publicized scandal decades ago.
Final Thoughts
Tonya Harding’s story is one of extremes—triumph and disgrace, fame and infamy, struggle and strength. But it’s her personal journey into marriage and motherhood that reveals a side of her many never expected to see: calm, stable, and grounded in love.
Her marriage to Joseph Jens Price has been a cornerstone in this transformation, offering her the support and peace she never seemed to have during her early years in the spotlight. For all her past notoriety, Tonya Harding’s role as a wife and mother may just be her most inspiring chapter yet.
FAQ: Tonya Harding’s Personal Life – Exploring Her Role as a Wife, Mother, and Public Figure
Q1: Who is Tonya Harding married to now?
A1: Tonya Harding is married to Joseph Jens Price. They tied the knot in 2010 and have maintained a stable, private life together.
Q2: Does Tonya Harding have children?
A2: Yes, Tonya Harding and her husband Joseph Price have one son, Gordon, born in 2011.
Q3: What does Tonya Harding’s husband do?
A3: Joseph Jens Price is a blue-collar worker who has worked in HVAC and is known to enjoy singing and a quiet, private lifestyle.
Q4: How has Tonya Harding’s life changed since the scandal?
A4: Since the 1994 incident, Harding has stepped away from public controversy, focusing on her family life and personal growth as a wife and mother.
Q5: Is Tonya Harding still in the public eye?
A5: While not in the spotlight regularly, Tonya occasionally makes public appearances and gave interviews around the release of the film I, Tonya in 2017.
