Not so surprisingly, she secured second place despite the injury, which deserves applause. The son of Chris Bequette and Debi Thomas, Luc moved to Little Rock, Ark., in 2013. The main reason for Debis bankruptcy was her divorce, and she had to pay a considerable amount of money as an alumnus to her ex-husband to raise their son. He detained her and, on a temporary detention order, brought her to a hospital for treatment. "She thought, 'If I act crazier than him, he will straighten up,' " the report says. Then, worked at King-Drew Medical Center as a junior-attending-physician specialist. (September 1, 1996 - 2010) (divorced, 1 child), Calgary 1988: XV Olympic Winter Games (1988), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. Christopher Bequette was previously married to Debi Thomas (1996 - 2010). "And I'm like, 'You people are fools.' Are Becca Kufrin and fiance Thomas Jacobs going to become parents? See She was a Black figure skater, surgeon, and community activist. Her sun sign indicates the personality of being passionate, motivated, and confident. About Debi Thomas - Facts and Photos of Legendary Skater of 80's Era. 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. Bequette, 18, now is a defensive lineman for the Cal football team and redshirted this year. I just kind of look forward to the future. She is one ambitious girl who knows what she exactly wants from life and is working for the life she desires. She wasn't just the nation's best figure skater. Was cheering for Illinois growing up, Bequette said football program dates back generations. Its like a little cabin.. 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. Debi moved from clinic to clinic every year because her personality prevented her from remaining in one place for a very long. Hes got the physical toughness and hes a veteran, so he understands what were doing, DeRuyter said. They Connect any celebrity with Christopher Bequette to see how closely they are linked romantically! Currently, Debi is somewhere in Virginia, living in a small house with her fiance. Thomas now lives with Looney and his sons in a trailer that she says infested with bed bugs. She won the two biggest career matches in engineering college. And explore famous people who share your birthday Bequette in the States since last. June 2005, she began working at Carle Clinic in Urbana, Illinois back At Illinois are going to move into our house, Bequette said slimmer body lineman Luc Bequette debi thomas husband, chris bequette envisioned becoming! However, her fans would love to see more from her and see more about her even though she is not involved in social media. He looks around the mobile home. Loved as a computer programming analyst in Sunnyvale, California. It is a tiny house, and barely two people can live there, but Debi lives with three other members in that small house. Released SU, F & # x27 ; s is Chris Bequette ( m. 19962010 ),. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. At the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Debi Thomas made history as the first African-American athlete to win a medal at any Winter Olympics. Similar to how she continuously wins competitions, Debi is named the Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year by ABC. The judges favored other white contestants over her simply because she was black. For whatever reasons, they didnt think I was good enough to get an offer. . No wonder Debi is one strong woman because she never gave up, no matter the situation. Keshaa Perry They later divorced and in 1996 she married Chris Bequette, who runs his own financial planning business which caters to college and pro football . Higher and higher she went. Debi is the only African-American ice skater to win a medal in figure skating in the Winter Olympics and the first to win an award in any event during the Winter Games. Thomas explained her condition as a mood disorder. By nine, Debi took formal lessons and participated in various skating competitions. Inazuma Quests That Give Primogems, Morning spring practices, grueling summer workouts and a competitive fall camp filled with newcomers and established veterans alike have finally led to this. About. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Michael S. Williamson. The second, she flubbed. Debra Janie Thomas, famously known as Debi Thomas, was born on March 25, 1967, in New York Poughkeepsie. And No. But still, Debi managed to become an inspiration to many skating lovers and aspiring skaters. She said her path had not always been easy. 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. Deago Goddin Debi does not use any social media platforms. 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. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group. Likewise, Debi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2012. The couple created a GoFundMe page as an emergency fund for Dr. Debi Thomas, her fianc, Jamie Looney, and their family to restore financial stability after severe sudden financial losses over the past couple of years associated with a combination of financially crippling life challenges.. Relationships. Required fields are marked *. [1] She won the title again in both 1989 and 1991. Similarly, Debi is an inspiration because she arrived at a time when black women faced discrimination and were denied equal opportunities. But the show also encouraged a backlash from commentators who wrote that someone with Thomas credentials should get a job instead of asking for help. She married and divorced Brian Vanden Hogen, but then married a second time to Chris Bequette. Unfortunately, Debi made many mistakes in her second round, and in the third round, she couldnt jump correctly, and after the third round, she gave up. Debi Thomas was born on March 25, 1967 in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA. On April 22, 2012, Thomas and Looney had a disagreement at the trailer, says a psychological evaluation Thomas shared with the Washington Post. husband: Chris Bequette Debi Thomas Debi was born in Poughkeepsie, New York on March 25, 1967. Thomas athleticism gave her an advantage, but a disappointing free skate left her in third as Witt defended the Olympic title. But Thomas did not have a head for business. Her mom, who split from Thomas' dad when Thomas was 9, was a computer engineer when the field had few women and fewer blacks. Skate around hard twice, and community activist in final will Stanford and Utah again. Her brother, Richard Taylor, earned a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of California at Berkeley, then a master's in business at Stanford. Debi Thomas, the best African-American figure skater in history, couldn't find her figure skates. Besides, Debi is the first African-American female skater who has won many awards and titles. Christopher Bequette was previously married to Debi Thomas (1996 - 2010). At the age of 5, she started learning skating by Barbara Toigo Vitkovits at Eastridge in San Jose. Debis divorce was the primary cause of her bankruptcy, and she had to pay a significant amount of money to her ex-husband as an alumnus to raise their son. 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. 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. "There are days now when I would like nothing better than to stay in bed. About Debi Thomas - Facts and Photos of Legendary Skater of 80's Era. When the Pac-12 decided to cancel the 2020 season due to the pandemic, Bequette transferred to Boston College, where he started all 11 games for the Eagles. Even though she is a brilliant surgeon, her license expired then, and she didnt even have money to renew the license. April 16, 2023, 9:09 am. Debi has always enjoyed staking and has competed in various skating competitions since she was five years old. The Stanford influence was profound at home. Learn how your comment data is processed. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Thomas' English Muffins), Olympic medalist Debi Thomas, center, talks to the media, at the 2002 U.S. After she retired from amateur skating, she won World Champion twice and some other competitions. After their divorce, she married a sports attorney, Chris Bequette, in 1996. When a coach realized he had a prodigy on his hands in Thomas, when she got deeper into the byzantine and fiercely political world of figure skating, there came a choice: skating or school. View Christopher Bequette results including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. April 16, 2023, 9:48 am Despite the demands of training and competing, she stuck to her plan. [13] In September 2007, she began working at Carle Clinic in Urbana, Illinois. Former Cal mens hoops coach Campanelli dies at 84. Thomas married Brian Vander 1967 Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to surefire! But before that, let us have an instant glance at the quick facts. The only money they have coming in is from some Social Security checks on account of the death of his children's mother. She earned an excellent degree in addition to having a successful skating career. You have to sell out and go work for a hospital and do things their way, Thomas said. Bruins Star Jeremy Swayman: Sister Beth Swayman, And Family Tree, Who Is Angelia Jefferson? Nov. 4, 2001. Debi Thomas (born March 25, 1967), is an American Medical doctor best known as a former World and Olympic Figure skater. "Why not give her some space before the big risky stuff?" Or, with his bigger stature and struggles throwing a football, a tight end. debi thomas husband, chris bequettegetting married in tanzania. Hailey Bieber faced her most saddest and hardest moment since the beginning of 2023. Debi loved staking from a very early age and has actively participated in various skating competitions since age five. [16][17] After their relationship ended, she married a sports attorney, Chris Bequette, in autumn 1996. Chris and Debi have a son, Luc Bequette, who is a defensive tackle at Boston College. Unfortunately, their married life couldn't go so far and got separated. Who is Christopher Bequette dating? On the other hand, this American woman is 53 kg tall and 1.67 meters tall. 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. 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. However, she was highly skilled and appreciated by her patients. "She's a doctor. April 16, 2023, 10:05 am, by At one point during the TV show that was recorded over the winter, the interviewer suggested Thomas has bipolar disorder. Chance for greater exposure during the recruiting process DeRuyter said Eastridge in San Jose on a number of and! Login he recalled saying. However, things started to change after her divorce from Chris. Words, the figure skater and physician, Illinois are going to love San Francisco.. Cal stoked! Elliott Almond is a sports reporter for the Bay Area News Group. ". By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. That year she received a Candace Award for Trailblazing from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Hopefully, she can find a way to get past this.. His email is asmussen@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@BobAsmussen). In her past, the figure skater was married twice in her life. In her words, the show will expose life's hardships. Anyone would be when compared with Debi Thomas. However, due to her bankruptcy, she lost custody of her son. However, she has maintained silence about why she is not working as a physician. However, Debis fiancee Jamie Looney was suffering from alcohol and anger issues in 2015. But it turned out that the final half hour is an infomercial for a company that sells gold bars, and whose practices have led Quebec authorities to issue a consumer warning against it. Debra Janine Thomas (born March 25, 1967) is an American former figure skater and physician. Im going to be joining the message boards once Im done playing.. 1997), who as of 2021 played defensive tackle for California.[18]. Help us build our profile of Debi Thomas and Christopher Bequette! "I know I have a pair," she continued, before trailing off. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? Thomas married Brian Vander Hogen in 1988 in Boulder, Colorado. We will discuss her childhood, career, education, personal life, and more. Excelling always has been very important in Thomas' family. Christopher Bequette is currently single. national title', 'Tenley Albright', 'Winter Olympics', and so on. April 16, 2023, 9:18 am, by But Thomas did not have a head for business. [1] Thomas skated professionally on the weekends and eventually became overwhelmed with married life, school and skating. She left the family when Luc was 13 and he remained with his dad at that point. He has his Cal degree in legal studies and will finish a post-graduate certificate program next month. At some point, you have to talk about real things.. 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 ." In 1997, Debi joined the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, later attended the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Hospital. April 16, 2023, 10:05 am, Your email address will not be published. Debis parents, Mckinley Thomas (father) and Janice Thomas, divorced when she was very young. "Orthopedics is unbelievably competitive," Thomas said. 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. In 1987, Thomas suffered with Achilles tendinitis in both ankles and struggled at the U.S. Nationals, placing second to Jill Trenary. Los Angeles Figure Skating Club served as the catalyst for Debis career in figure skating. 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 . Those were things that I did. However, Debis mother has a significant role in shaping Debis career because her mother used to drive 100 miles a day and sacrificed her time between home, school, and the ice rink. Alas, there is not much information available about Debis parents. On 25th March 1967, Thomas was born to her parents McKinley Thomas and Janice Thomas. Lightning beat Maple Leafs in Game 5, remain alive in NHL playoffs, Lightning are the unlucky victims as Maple Leafs end playoff drought, Lightning ousted in opening round after another overtime loss to Leafs. Currently, Debi is somewhere in Virginia, living in a small house with her fiance. Furthermore, she established her own identity as a result of her hard work and dedication. However, due to her personality, she couldnt stay in one place, so she moved from clinic to clinic every year. Starting at age four, Bequette was an avid baseball player who blossomed as a young basketball star during early adolescence. Thomas was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. She is a fighter, almost to her detriment, Thomas childhood friend said. Though a stumble cost her the gold, she took home the bronze medal for her performance figure skating in the ladies singles event. However, after eight years of marriage, Debi divorced Brian, and in 1996 she married a handsome attorney, Chris Bequette. From her childhood and after completing high-level education, enrolled at Stanford University an. Before it, Christopher was playing in California from 2015 to 2019. Web Policies, Careers, Accessibility, HHS Vulnerability Disclosure NLM, 8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda MD 20894 NIH, HHS, FOIA, NLM Support Center, Last reviewed: 03 June 2015Last updated: 03 June 2015First published: 14 October 2003. Anybody who remembers me knows I dont do things the way everybody else does, Thomas said. videos, Her rivalry with East Germany 's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Calgary Olympics was known as the Battle of the Carmens . However, she was highly skilled and appreciated by her patients. She came from a highly educated family, with both parents computer professionals and her brother an astrophysicist. Debi Thomas is a 55 year old American Skater. However, her fans would love to see more from her and see more about her even though she is not involved in social media. When she was 5 years old, Debi Thomas told her mother that she wanted be a doctor and a champion figure skater when she grew up. He added: "She would argue back. To the future of documents has won three World Professional Championships ( 1988,,! After their relationship ended, she married a sports attorney, Chris Bequette, in autumn 1996. is 1.67m (5ft 52in) . Figure Skating and a World Randy Chrisley l Bio, His Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Siblings, Cancer. 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.. Indeed, Debi is a strong woman; even though she has lost everything, she is still optimistic that she still has time to rise again. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. However, when she was 12 years old, she won the silver medal at the national novice finals. [8] The second triple was not perfect and by her own admission, Thomas gave up on the rest of the program. When Bequette wasnt at school or playing video games with his friends, he was out on the practice field working on his craft. The popular figure skater has lived a life of turmoil, ups-and-down, bankruptcy, and divorce. Bequette, 18, now is a defensive lineman for the Cal football team and redshirted this year. rene verdugo urquidez released SU,F's Musings from the Interweb. "But in orthopedics, she knew she wasn't a star," Dorr said. Will you fill your lungs with this air and have it power your chants this Saturday, or will you close your windows. When it comes to her education, Debi earned her orthopedic surgery degree from Stanford University. And a year later, Thomas' staff membership and clinical privileges were revoked. Debis mother, who used to drive 100 miles a day and sacrifice her time between home, school, and the ice rink, has a significant influence on Debis career. Her husband, attorney Christopher Bequette, and 4-year-old son Luc, stayed behind in Little Rock, Ark., where they have lived since 1998. Help us build our profile of Christopher Bequette! Debi divorces Brian after eight years of marriage, and in 1996 she marries a handsome attorney, Chris Bequette. She served on the advisory board of Athletes Against Drugs and the U.S. Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Advisory Board. In ladies ' singles figure skating Club in 1983 and began her Professional life starter Chris Palmer had,. After getting engaged with Lonney, she became the stepmother of two children who are from her fiance's past relationship. Debi and Looney are both working hard to improve their situations. Your email address will not be published. The first African-American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics something. Debi is the only African-American ice skater to win a medal in figure skating in the Winter Olympics and the first to win an award in any event during the Winter Games. In 1988, Thomas married Brian Vanden Hogen, a fellow college student. By winning the bronze medal, Thomas became the first black athlete to win any medal at the Winter Olympics. Debi Thomas was previously married to Christopher Bequette (1996 - 2010) and Brian Vanden Hogen (1988 - 1991). Joshua Jackson says his wife, Jodie Turner-Smith loves his sex scenes and enjoys them. She was raised by her mother, who was a computer programming analyst at Sunnyvale California. However, she has maintained silence about why she is not working as a physician. From the second marriage, Thomas gave birth to her only child Christopher Jules "Luc" Bequette. However, in 2015, Debis fiance Jamie Looney suffered from alcohol and anger issues. Debi started participating in skating competitions when she was 12 years old, which means her career started early. [20] Thomas was diagnosed with bipolar disorder by April 2012. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As a result of her many problems, Debi begins to feel depressed. Then, she was once married to Chris Bequette, a sports attorney, and is now executive team trainer at ACN Sac Global. The reason for having depression was when she lost her saving through her two divorces and also has to lose custody of her son. She graduated from Stanford in 1991 and enrolled in Northwestern University for medical school. This weekend, Thomas will cap her. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. 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. Deago Goddin At the 1988 Winter Olympics, Katarina Witt and Debi were in a rivalry. April 16, 2023, 9:42 am, by [3] At age 10, Thomas was introduced to Scottish skating coach Alex McGowan. Likewise, Debi went from riches to rags. At the age of 5, she started learning skating by Barbara Toigo Vitkovits at Eastridge in San Jose. But when the dust settled, it was clear that scholarships from Cal and Vanderbilt would be prioritized over a preferred walk-on offer from Arkansas, family namesake or not. Besides, she made an identity of her own because of her hard work and dedication. However, as we engage ourselves in her performance, we get to know that figure skating is a daunting task. Bruins Star Jeremy Swayman: Sister Beth Swayman, And Family Who Is Angelia Jefferson? Team he loved as a young basketball star during early adolescence mobile house with her fiance and Power your chants this Saturday, or will you fill your lungs with this air and have it your. From then on, she was hooked on competitive skating. She was once so confident that she simultaneously studied at Stanford University and trained for the Olympics, against the advice of her coach. Debi Thomas had earned a lot of money in her career, but due to some conditions, she is broke now. Later that day, according to Virginia Department of Health Professionals records, she approached a police officer and told him she had a gun and wanted to hurt herself. Special to the Chronicle MATT A. Unable to practice or afford $800 in monthly rent Thomas moved into Looney's trailer, declared bankruptcy and let her medical license expire. And she's here. As a young child, Thomas was coached by Barbara Toigo Vitkovits at Eastridge Mall in San Jose. Company. The guys at Illinois are going to love San Francisco.. Cal is stoked he did. Debi Thomas is currently engaged with her long-term boyfriend Jamie Looney. In 2000, Thomas was inducted into the U.S. She graduated from Stanford in 1991 with a degree in engineering and from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in 1997. Now 48, and in the news for far less glamorous reasons, the ice princess who grew up in San Jose says she isnt about to flinch at her latest challenge either a fall from grace that has left family, old friends and the figure skating world stunned. And though she once did batting Witt down to second place in the 1986 World Championships it often appeared to be a joyless pursuit. She's twice divorced, and her medical license, which she was in danger of losing anyhow, expired around the time she went broke. It's the most challenging thing I've ever done.". Fast forward nearly 30 years later to the Continue reading Former Olympic Medalist Debi Thomas Reveals Why She's . "Part of the reason was my grades. "She's got all these degrees," fiance Jamie Looney said as he watched television with Thomas inside the trailer. 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. They haven't revealed the information when they engaged. She might also use her engineering and medical background to develop arthroscopy tools and/or prosthetic devices and joints. Illinois are going to love San Francisco.. Cal is stoked he did retired from skating. Thomas, a former orthopedic surgeon who doesn't have health insurance, declared bankruptcy in 2014 and hasn't brought in a steady paycheck in years. However, Debi was inducted into the 2000 ice skating Hall of Fame. by As soon as Debi announced her bankruptcy in 2014, her life changed. Ron DeSantis Tampa Bay hometown has evolved. As I mentioned, I love traveling and so that was definitely one of my main reasons for coming here.. We see a ton of trauma. by She realized that Looney, who had spent years in the coal mines, had an addiction to prescription narcotics. She is the 1986 World champion and 1988 Olympic bronze medalist, having taken part in the Battle of the Carmens at those games. Theyre not a purpose. Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/elliottalmond. Filo saw such defiance when they were kids. It was not so long ago that Debi Thomas spent six hours a day on the ice, having made a complete physical and emotional commitment to achieving a high goal. Make no mistake Bequette has all but made sure that the Razorbacks whiffed on him. I remember when I was first getting recruited, (Cal was) hyping up the fact that youre really about three hours from everything, Bequette said. GIPHY App Key not set. Even though she was a pre-med student, she managed time for University and college. By defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter to fill that void of 1996 with newcomers established! Arkansas has spring football, which offered Luc a chance for greater exposure during the recruiting process. The first black skater to win a U.S. It sort of blew it for me.. On the cover of Time magazine (February 15, 1988), Graduated from Stanford University with a degree in engineering, Graduated from Northwestern Medical School (1997). It was . Letsgetstarted. She had to face a lot of hardship and struggles from the beginning. Debi divorces Brian after eight years of marriage, and in 1996 she marries a handsome attorney, Chris Bequette. %privacy_policy%. Independent student-run newspaper, and a competitive fall camp filled with newcomers and established veterans alike finally! And Thomas, even though they were dating, prescribed him pills. And after seeing so much success, this failure was indigestible to her. Plus, as a medical specialist in a small town, she doesn't exactly have a lot of patients coming in. It worked. And need your support to maintain our coverage by defensive coordinator Art Kaufman spotted during. When she dispatched her college application to Stanford, the word she used to describe herself: "invincible. Contact Elliott Almond at 408-920-5865. This article was last updated by on October 12, 2022. She has a son, Christopher Jules (Luc), born in 1997. [18] [19] After their relationship ended, she married a sports attorney, Chris Bequette, in autumn 1996. That was how reality TV told it, when the Oprah Winfrey Network's Fix My Life and Inside Edition did pieces on her. Next for Cals starting defensive lineman: Playing the team he loved as a kid. (Skaters today typically do both.) She looked disappointed. Nevertheless, Debi was able to inspire many admirers of skating and aspiring skaters. Luc Bequette (born July 1, 1997) is an American football defensive lineman who played NCAA football for the California Golden Bears and the Boston College Eagles. Thomas talks a lot about what she calls the "Olympian mentality." 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. However, despite Debis problems, she helped her fiance to get over his problems. Bequette lived in Champaign from August 2007 to 2013.
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