Tessa Virtue

Early life

Born on May 17, 1989, in London, Ontario, Canada, Tessa Virtue began ice skating at the young age of six. She is the youngest of four siblings born to Kate and Jim Virtue. For her education, she attended Holy Names High School in Windsor and also took courses through AMDEC, an electronic learning institution located in Stratford. Her figure skating journey began at the tender age of six when an impending school trip to an ice arena inspired her to take up the sport. Just two years into her collaboration with Moir, she decided to forgo an opportunity to join the National Ballet School, choosing instead to fully commit to her burgeoning skating career.

Recognizing her potential, her family fully supported her in pursuing her passion for the sport. She attended Holy Names High School before studying at the University of Windsor and Western University, where she balanced academics with a rigorous training regimen.

Virtue wasn’t just a skater in her younger years; she also dabbled in gymnastics, athletics, and other physical activities. She embarked on a psychology degree at the University of Windsor in 2007 and, by 2014, was in the process of finishing her degree at the University of Western Ontario. In 2020, she took up the Executive MBA program at Queen’s University, but reports suggest that she later transitioned to studying at the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

Virtue’s career began in earnest when she was paired with Scott Moir in 1997 by coach Paul MacIntosh. They started competing at the junior level, winning the Canadian Junior title in 2004. The duo quickly ascended the ranks, claiming gold at the 2006 World Junior Championships.

In her quest for excellence in figure skating, Virtue moved to Canton, Michigan, in 2004 to receive training from renowned coaches Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva. Post the 2014 Olympics, she resettled in her hometown of London, Ontario. By 2016, her journey took her to Montreal, Quebec, where she and Moir were mentored by Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon. Virtue and Moir share a unique bond, having often described each other as best friends. Elaborating on their relationship, Virtue once said, “Our partnership is truly special. We hold each other in the highest regard.”

Their senior career took off with a silver medal at the 2008 World Championships, followed by a gold medal win at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, a first for a North American ice dancing team. This success was followed by two silver medals at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and a triumphant return with two more golds at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

Virtue and Moir’s performances were noted for their chemistry, technical precision, and emotive storytelling. They announced their retirement from competitive skating in September 2019.

Timeline of her skating career:

• 2003-2004 Season: Junior Grand Prix debut
• 2004-2005 Season: Move up to national senior level
• 2005-2006 Season: Junior Grand Prix and World Junior Titles
• 2006-2007 Season: Gand Prix Debut
• 2007-2008 Season: Four Continents title and World silver
• 2008-2009 Season: Withdrew due to Virtue’s medical condition
• 2009-2010 Season: Olympic and World titles
• 2010-2011 Season: Skate Canada International and 2011 Four Continents
• 2012-2013 Season: Skate Canada International and Rostelecom Cup
• 2013-2014 Season: Two Olympic silver medals
• 2016-2017 Season: Undefeated comeback season
• 2017-2018 Season: Two Olympic gold medals

Net Worth

Tessa Virtue’s net worth has been estimated at around $6 million. This wealth has been amassed through prize winnings, endorsements, and various media appearances. Her partnership with brands like Adidas, Nivea, and Visa has further contributed to her financial success.

Achievement

Virtue’s long list of accolades includes:

3 Olympic Gold Medals (2010, 2018) and 2 Silver Medals (2014)

3 World Championship Gold Medals (2010, 2012, 2017)

8 Canadian National Championship titles

Member of Canada's Walk of Fame (2018)

Order of Canada recipient (2020)

Most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history

Fourt most decorated Canadian Olympians

Her achievements stand as a testament to her dedication, skill, and influence in the world of figure skating.

Other Records and Achievements shared with Moir

Olympics:

• Most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history.
• Only team to achieve ice dance gold in their Olympic debut.
• Youngest team to win ice dance gold at the Olympics.
• Only ice dance team to win Olympic gold on home turf.
• First North American ice dance team to win Olympic gold, ending Europe’s 34-year streak.
• First former junior world champions to secure Olympic gold in ice dance.
• First figure skaters in 38 years to earn three Olympic golds.
• Second ice dance team with three Olympic medals.
• Second ice dance team to win two individual Olympic golds, uniquely in nonconsecutive Olympics.
• First pair to carry the Canadian flag at an Olympic opening ceremony.

Record Scores:

• First ice dance team awarded a 10.0 under the new ISU Judging System.
• Initial team to receive four 10.0s in any figure skating discipline (International Judging System).
• First to surpass the 80-point benchmark in the short dance during an international contest (2016–17 Grand Prix Final).
• Record holders for the highest technical score in a short dance at the 2018 Winter Olympics: 44.53.
• Historical record holders for the original dance.

In General:

• Sole ice dance team to achieve a Career Super Grand Slam under the modern ISU judging system, winning all major ISU titles, including Junior Grand Prix Series, Junior World Championships, Grand Prix Final, Four Continents Championships, World Championships, and Winter Olympic Games.
• Only ice dance team to clinch world titles and Olympic golds under both the old and new dance systems.
• Most decorated Canadian ice dance team.
• Canada’s longest-standing ice dance team.
• First and only Canadians to triumph in the Junior Grand Prix Final.
• Canada’s inaugural Junior World Championship winners.
• Unique ice dance team to clinch both the World Championship and Grand Prix Final as seniors and juniors.
• Three-time senior world champions.
• Seven-time senior world medal recipients.
• Eight-time Canadian senior ice dance titleholders.
• Ten-time Canadian senior ice dance medal earners.
• Highest senior debut at the world championships for an ice dance team.