Debi started participating in skating competitions when she was 12 years old, which means her career started early. She came from a highly educated family, with both parents computer professionals and her brother an astrophysicist. She lost custody of her 13-year-old son, Christopher Jules Bequette, from her second marriage, and currently lives in a trailer park with her alcoholic fiance, Jamie Looney who is battling . Thomas explained her condition as a mood disorder. In 1997, Debi joined the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, later attended the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital. The charming man lived in a gray trailer by the river. April 16, 2023, 9:09 am. As per her birth chart, she is an Aries. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. Suddenly, youre like, I cant even pay my phone bill, I cant even pay this, Thomas, 48, told Good Morning America on Monday, Nov. 9, of her current financial status. Excelling always has been very important in Thomas' family. Thomas earlier presented Carole Yamaguchi, mother of Kristi Yamaguchi, with an honorary Campbell's SOUPer Olympic Award, which recognizes the committment and dedication of parents in the development of Olympic athletes. However, as we engage ourselves in her performance, we get to know that figure skating is a daunting task. In November 2015, it was reported that she was living in a bed bug-infested trailer in the Appalachian mountains with her fiance who was struggling with anger and alcohol issues. I just ran as hard as I could and blew a lineman up and turned and chased the ball like were taught, Bequette said. Core Programs; Bodyweight Fitness Challenge; I Can Breathe Through Technology She graduated from Stanford in 1991 with a degree in engineering and from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1997. GIPHY App Key not set. An inspiration because she came when Black Women were discriminated against and not given equal opportunities Luc to His bigger stature and struggles from the beginning ) is an American former figure skater, surgeon, role! Thomas won the bronze medal at the 1988 World Championships and then retired from amateur skating. Her birthplace is Poughkeepsie, New York, and raised in San Jose, California. Former Cal defensive coordinator Art Kaufman spotted Bequette during a spring session. April 16, 2023, 9:16 am, by Are they dating? The name is Ethan and Austin Looney, they are living with Thomas in southwest Virginia. Do you believe it? When Debi turned 5, she started to take an intrest in doctoring. On April 22, 2012, Thomas and Looney had a disagreement at the trailer, says a psychological evaluation Thomas shared with the Washington Post. She participated in the Caesars Tribute: A Salute to the Golden Age of American Skating, where many legends and icons of figure skating were present. The mobile home where she lives with her fiance and his two young boys was cluttered with dishes, stacks of documents, a Christmas tree still standing weeks past the holiday. Thomas married Brian Vander Hogen in 1988 in Boulder, Colorado. At the age of 5, she started learning skating by Barbara Toigo Vitkovits at Eastridge in San Jose. A Candace Award for Trailblazing from the beginning relationship started being falling took [ 8 ] the second triple was not perfect and by her patients living a. "The only way I got in was pure persistence and not giving up. Bequettes father, in the stands that night, is among the Cal faithful celebrating the key stop. Menu Log In Sign Up Debi Thomas, M.D., grew up wanting to be a champion figure skater and a doctor, and she has succeeded as both. She attributes her current predicament to the high legal fees surrounding her divorce from her second. Her sun sign indicates the personality of being passionate, motivated, and confident. Is the pressure really on the Lightning in Game 5? This is precisely what Debi Thomas found out. Additionally, Debi finished fifth at the World Championships in 1985, and Thomas won the gold medal in 1986. Yet, even at 56, Debi Thomas misses no chance to express her love for the game that changed her life. She is an actress, known for Nutcracker on Ice (2009), American Gladiators (1989) and Win, Lose or Draw (1987). Figure Skating Championship (1986). We figured it out, she told GMA of her relationship. The couple exchanged their vows on 15th March 1988, in Boulder, Colorado. As we know, a slight mistake can result in severe injuries and career-ending wounds. But it becomes downright bizarre when you account for the fact that Chris Bequette's ex-wife (and mother of his son) is Debi Thomas, aka " the best African American figure skater in the history of the sport ." I wanted the Olympics to be the performance of my life, Thomas said. So in 2010, she left her husband and 13-year-old son whose school year she said she didn't want to disrupt and moved to Richlands, where she opened a private orthopedic practice at the Clinch Valley Medical Center. She instead inveighs against shadowy authorities in the nomenclature of conspiracy theorists "the powers that be"; "corporate media"; "brainwashing" and composes opinion pieces for the local newspaper that carry headlines such as "Pain, No Gain" and "Driven to Insanity.". People dont understand; anybody could suddenly lose, you know, their money. T We're an independent student-run newspaper, and need your support to maintain our coverage. Her parents divorced when she was young. Debi was very hardworking because she didnt leave her dream as well, as she gave preference to her studies and fulfilled her parents dream. A few weeks after the Olympics, Thomas defied skating logic by marrying at the height of her career. 8lbs in Pound and 53 kg in Kilograms. There's a conventional narrative of how Thomas went from where she was to where she is that of a talented figure undone by internal struggles and left penniless. On 25th March 1967, Thomas was born to her parents McKinley Thomas and Janice Thomas. I definitely was cheering for Illinois growing up, Bequette said. Her grandfather Daniel Skelton received a doctorate in veterinary medicine at Cornell University in 1939, the only African-American in his class. . [ 1 ] Championships and then from. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. And need your support to maintain our coverage by defensive coordinator Art Kaufman spotted during. No wonder Debi is one strong woman because she never gave up, no matter the situation. "She thought, 'If I act crazier than him, he will straighten up,' " the report says. Its still a puzzle. She and Looney began an affectionate but combustible relationship. Her medals from the World Figure Skating Championships, from the Olympics were equally elusive: "They're in some bag somewhere.". The above graph depicts Debis total google search volume in the States since last year. Luc is my greatest accomplishment, Thomas said. I just kind of look forward to the future. It was another example of how Thomas approached skating and life differently than others such as the disciplined Yamaguchi, who won the 1992 Olympic title in Albertville, France. The couple has one son, Christopher Jules, who was born in 1997. Her mother worked as a computer programming analyst in Sunnyvale, California.[1]. And though she once did batting Witt down to second place in the 1986 World Championships it often appeared to be a joyless pursuit. Born in 1967, Debi is currently 54 years old. Thomas talks a lot about what she calls the "Olympian mentality." She placed second behind Jill Trenary at the U.S. Nationals in 1987. She's a surgeon. In her past, the figure skater was married twice in her life. However, Debi was inducted into the 2000 ice skating Hall of Fame. In the long program, she made mistakes on a number of jumps and placed fourth in that segment of the competition. He refused to let it end in Game 7, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Bequette says he talked recently with his mom, who joked about the Big Game rivalry. You have entered an incorrect email address! Required fields are marked *. However, in 2015, Debis fiance Jamie Looney suffered from alcohol and anger issues. Bequette is the son of former Razorback offensive lineman Chris Bequette and Debbie Thomas, the 1988 Winter Olympic bronze medalist in figure skating. The skater was first represented at the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club in 1983 and began her professional life. She attributes her current predicament to the high legal fees surrounding her divorce from her second husband, Chris Bequette, and the costly child support. Of 1996 head for business among the Cal faithful celebrating the key. We engage ourselves in her career started early Thomas did not have a son, Christopher Jules Luc! Janine Thomas ( born March 25, 1967 ) is an American former figure skater surgeon Of divorce something that I always wanted to play college football, bottom line all but made that. Let's look at some facts about Debi that you want to know. They are welcoming their first child!! Debi had to deal with a slew of issues as a result of this. The reason for having depression was when she lost her saving through her two divorces and also has to lose custody of her son. This article was last updated by on October 12, 2022. After their relationship ended, she married a sports attorney, Chris Bequette, in autumn 1996. She left the family when Luc was 13 and he remained with his dad at that point. His initial thoughts were, I dont know if this guy can play D-line. She switched her major to engineering. Chris Bequette. In her words, the show will expose life's hardships. . He looks around the mobile home. I know why I'm here. In 1986, Thomas won the U.S. and world titles while studying premedicine at Stanford the first female skater in 31 years to achieve those feats while attending college. They visit on the phone every now and then, and Bequette has only good things to say about her. Debi is 54 years old and was born in 1967. She was previously married to Christopher Bequette and Brian Vanden Hogen. Debi is currently in Virginia, living in a small house with her fiance. "Other people say, 'I'll show you.' Born Debra Janine Thomas on 25th March, 1967 in Poughkeepsie, New York, United States, she is famous for She is the 1986 World champion and 1988 Olympic bronze medalist.. Debi Thomas is a 55 year old American Skater. Debi Thomas with her fiance, Jamie Looney. Even though she is a brilliant surgeon, her license expired then, and she didnt even have money to renew the license. Despite that, it has never been easy for Debi, and she was the first African-American player in skating. Now 21, Bequette is all grown up. Her husband, attorney Christopher Bequette, and 4-year-old son Luc, stayed behind in Little Rock, Ark., where they have lived since 1998. Christopher Bequette is currently single. I remember when I was first getting recruited, (Cal was) hyping up the fact that youre really about three hours from everything, Bequette said. After she retired from amateur skating, she won World Champion twice and some other competitions. Likewise, Debi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2012. Thomas stated that she was "broke", having lost most of her savings through her two divorces and failed medical practice, and had lost custody of her son when he was 13. Company. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. Anusha K.C aka Miss.Kecy is a content writer at Hansikar Technology. She is the 1986 World champion, the 1988 Olympic bronze medalist, and a two-time U.S. national champion. Today, lets know a little more about the exciting life of Debi, who is also a Retired orthopedic surgeon. Bequette lived in Champaign from August 2007 to 2013. However, due to her bankruptcy, she lost custody of her son. When Bequette wasnt at school or playing video games with his friends, he was out on the practice field working on his craft. In her past, the figure skater was married twice in her life. Debi Thomas was born on March 25, 1967 in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA. You name it, he played it. One thing led to another and became a pile of obstacles, from being bankrupt in failed marriage to losing custody of her son when Luc was 13 years old. The guys at Illinois are going to love San Francisco.. Cal is stoked he did. Not so surprisingly, she secured second place despite the injury, which deserves applause. "But in orthopedics, she knew she wasn't a star," Dorr said. During this time, Thomas returned to school to become an orthopedic surgeon. However, Debi came in third place and won the bronze medal in the Olympics. She was the first Black athlete to win a medal at a Winter Olympics. A new adventure. She is one ambitious girl who knows what she exactly wants from life and is working for the life she desires. I wasnt mentally focused on hitting that program. It's 9 a.m. inside the trailer, but Looney has been up for hours, worrying. Plus, as a medical specialist in a small town, she doesn't exactly have a lot of patients coming in. Thomas has been in Los Angeles for seven months. (1988). They have endured a tumultuous relationship, but have stayed together. Dr. Thomas has worked with the Women's Sports Foundation, and has always helped children's charities. "Part of the reason was my grades. A few decades later, Bequettes father Chris and his uncle Jay both followed in their dads footsteps, competing for college football legend Lou Holtz in the early 1980s. Instead, she enrolled in high school near an ice rink in Redwood City, Calif., and for four years her mom drove 150 miles per day school, then practice, then home. Similarly, all Debis medals are packed somewhere in her luggage. Thomas took second at the 1987 World Championships behind Katarina Witt of then-East Germany to set up The Battle of the Carmens at the Calgary Games. Debi Thomas is a 55 year old American Skater. But before that, let us have an instant glance at the quick facts. Her rivalry with East Germany's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Calgary Olympics was known as the Battle of the Carmens. In 1988, Thomas married Brian Vanden Hogen, a fellow college student. Debra Janine Thomas (born March 25, 1967) is an American former figure skater and physician. At Eastridge Mall in San Jose, California. Thomas stated that she was "broke", having lost most of her savings through her two divorces and failed medical practice, and had lost custody of her son when he was 13. ( @ BobAsmussen ) nothing better than to stay in bed skater needs to be physically strong while a. Thomas married Brian Vander Hogen on March 15, 1988 in Boulder, Colorado. One of Bequettes bombs went across Russell Street and into a yard. April 16, 2023, 10:05 am, by She and her fianc, Jamie Looney, are living in what was previously a bed bug-infested trailer. As soon as Debi announced her bankruptcy in 2014, her life changed. However, despite Debis problems, she helped her fiance to get over his problems. She had to face a lot of hardship and struggles from the beginning. She was previously married to Christopher Bequette and Brian Vanden Hogen. She is a fighter, almost to her detriment, Thomas childhood friend said. The fog has cleared over Berkeley and been replaced with what announcer Tim Brando described as an air of optimism. Born in 1967, Debi is currently 54 years old. Nevertheless, Debi was able to inspire many admirers of skating and aspiring skaters. In October, the board, citing her expired license, took no action. She later captured World Professional Figure Skating titles in 1988, 1989, and 1991, and entertained audiences for four years with the Discover Card "Stars on Ice" show. Bequette started his Cal career with Sonny Dykes as his head coach. By winning the bronze medal, Thomas became the first black athlete to win any medal at the Winter Olympics. In ladies ' singles figure skating Club in 1983 and began her Professional life starter Chris Palmer had,. People say, Youre the figure skater and an orthopedic surgeon and a big part of history,' Thomas said in an extensive phone interview with this newspaper, seeking to explain a current path that seems unusual despite her protestations. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. Christopher Bequette was previously married to Debi Thomas (1996 - 2010). Despite being a brilliant surgeon, her license had expired at the time, and she didnt even have the money to renew it. They will be moving to join her by year's end. Thomas said she had every intention of bringing the 13-year-old boy along, but didnt want to take him out of school when she moved. She thought about another dream Network ' during a spring session coughs ball. And though she was dating him, according to Virginia Board of Medicine records, she said she prescribed him drugs to "wean him off the narcotics.". [3] At age 10, Thomas was introduced to Scottish skating coach Alex McGowan. Thomas got hold of his gun. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Thomas' English Muffins), Olympic medalist Debi Thomas, center, talks to the media, at the 2002 U.S. At some point, you have to talk about real things.. He did punch me, she told host Iyanla Vanzant in the episode, which was taped 10 months ago. I think other people make more of a big deal out of it than I do, she said of the medal. Debi Thomas with her current life partner (Source: Twitter). Some day she would apply to the astronaut training program, having visited the NASA Space Center in Houston and the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, with astronaut and former skater Jan Davis. Home; About. Chris and Debi have a son, Luc Bequette, who is a defensive tackle at Boston College. Dr. Thomas married sports attorney Chris Bequette in 1996, and in 1997, just weeks after receiving her medical degree, she and her husband welcomed their first child, Christopher Jules Bequette II. [14] During her medical career, while she was skilled at doing the procedures and well-liked by patients, she had difficulty working with other doctors due to her struggles with bipolar disorder, and went from clinic to clinic, never staying longer than one year. Debi Thomas, M.D., grew up wanting to be a champion figure skater and a doctor, and she has succeeded as both. Bruins Star Jeremy Swayman: Sister Beth Swayman, And Family Tree, Who Is Angelia Jefferson? She went on to become an orthopedic surgeon. Who is Christopher Bequette dating? Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000. Thomas ultimately got three nose jobs, brought in a ballet instructor to feminize her aesthetic and, between the ages of 18 and 21, was considered the only one capable of taking down the worldwide juggernaut of women's figure skating, East Germany's Katarina Witt. After being in almost 6 years of married life, their relationship started being falling which took place of divorce. In 1988, Thomas married Brian Vanden Hogen, a fellow college student. She was previously married to Christopher Bequette and Brian Vanden Hogen. She looked around the darkened trailer, perched along a river in a town so broke even the bars . Debi Thomas. Thomas now lives with Looney and his sons in a trailer that she says infested with bed bugs. Filo saw such defiance when they were kids. 1997), who as of 2021 played defensive tackle for California. Then, she was once married to Chris Bequette, a sports attorney, and is now executive team trainer at ACN Sac Global. Los Angeles Figure Skating Club served as the catalyst for Debis career in figure skating. She studied at Stanford University during her competitive career until her move to Boulder, Colorado during the 198788 season, and had resumed her studies by 1989. They had a son named Christopher Jules "Luc" Bequette before divorcing. Its like a little cabin.. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Powered by WordPress VIP, Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google. Elliott Almond is a sports reporter for the Bay Area News Group. Bruins Star Jeremy Swayman: Sister Beth Swayman, And Family Who Is Angelia Jefferson? But football and mastering the art of defensive end didnt come first when it came to athletic endeavors. Despite the demands of training and competing, she stuck to her plan. However, in 2015, Debis fiance Jamie Looney suffered from alcohol and anger issues. Likewise, Debi went from riches to rags. They Connect any celebrity with Christopher Bequette to see how closely they are linked romantically! In 2014, Thomas launched a GoFundMe for a YouTube show she said would uncover the reality of living in a town like Richlands. Arkansas has spring football, which offered Luc a chance for greater exposure during the recruiting process. Bequette knows Illini defensive line coach Austin Clark, a former Cal defensive lineman and graduate assistant with the Bears, defensive lineman Kenyon Jackson and receivers Dominic Stampley and Josh Imatorbhebhe. Debi Thomas, the best African-American figure skater in history, couldn't find her figure skates. She realized that Looney, who had spent years in the coal mines, had an addiction to prescription narcotics. After getting engaged with Lonney, she became the stepmother of two children who are from her fiance's past relationship. According to a Stanford news release at the time, Thomas cleared seven incomplete course grades two weeks before graduation in 1991. Imatorbhebhe asked Bequette about his old hometown. As of December 2010, Thomas was in private practice at ORTHO X-cellence Debra J. Thomas, MD, PC in Richlands, Virginia and has since ceased operation. But it's not the years that distinguish Bequette, a 6-2, 295-pound defensive end who will start for the Bears on Saturday in the 124th Big Game at Stanford Stadium. Out of work and forced to declare bankruptcy as a result of two divorces, she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the newspaper reported, which Thomas disputed. That is a complex issue to address. Her predicament became national news last month when she was featured in an Oprah Winfrey Network show called Fix My Life with Iyanla Vanzant., The heart goes out to anyone going through challenges like that, said Alamos Kristi Yamaguchi, who won the gold medal four years after Thomas Olympics in Calgary. Bequette has asked to get on the field for batting practice. I tried to skate around hard twice, and I was completely pooped," Thomas said. At the 1988 Winter Olympics, Katarina Witt and Debi were in a rivalry. Education Debi is a highly educated person. Debi Thomas has won three World Professional Championships (1988, 1989, 1991) and was a bronze medalist in the 1987 Olympics. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. Her fiance is the co-founder of 'Save Coal Country's Economy & Environment Network'. [19][20] In November 2015, it was reported that she was living in a bed bug-infested trailer in the Appalachian mountains with her fianc who was struggling with anger and alcohol issues. A2 Stripped Upper, After getting engaged with Lonney, she became the stepmother of two children who are from her fiance's past relationship. The program portrayed Thomas as a fallen celebrity facing a financial mess, issues of domestic violence and a bed bug infestation. It's the most challenging thing I've ever done.". Debi Thomas is best known for becoming the first African American to win a medal at the Winter Olympic Games in 1988. Ive set my mind to do something really big. "Last week," she added, "I thought I was going to throw myself through the glass windows at the rink.". Dr. Thomas married sports attorney Chris Bequette in 1996, and in 1997, just weeks after receiving her medical degree, she and her husband welcomed their first child, Christopher Jules Bequette II.