The winner of two Olympic gold medals and five consecutive world championships, Button died Thursday in North Salem, New York, at age His death was confirmed by his son, Edward, who did not provide a cause, though Button had been in declining health. Figure Skating said. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Two teenage skaters, their mothers and two former world champions who were coaching at the Skating Club of Boston β where Button also skated and which he remained close to the rest of his life β were among the 14 people killed from the skating community.
He was the first U. Two years later, he took gold at the St. Moritz Olympics , back when the competitions were staged outdoors. That first Olympic title began his dominance of international skating, and U. He was the first figure skater to win the prestigious Sullivan Award in β no other figure skater won it until Michelle Kwan in In , while still a student at Harvard, Button won a second gold at the Oslo Games , making more history with the first triple jump a loop in competition.
Soon after, he won a fifth world title, then gave up his eligibility as an amateur to perform in shows; all Olympic sports were subject to an amateur-professional division at the time.
With a frank and often brutally honest style, Button became an Emmy Award-winning TV analyst, helping viewers learn not only the basics but also the nuances of a sport unfamiliar to most casual fans. After the plane crash that killed the entire U.
Button later ran professional events that provided skaters an avenue to profit from their ability once their competitive careers were over. His zingers were always in my mind when I would perform for him, and I wanted to make him as happy and proud as I would my coaches. Nobody could do it like Mr. Button is survived by his longtime partner, Dennis Grimaldi, and his two children, Edward and Emily.
