One of the often-overlooked sports, Figure Skating, is gaining prominence thanks to the movie I, Tonya a film about one such figure-skater.
But, we are not here to talk about the movie or the great Tonya. The article focuses on another star, Jojo Starbuck.
It was an excellent occasion for ice skaters to finally perform the sport on an international level. Figure skating was the first Olympic Winter sport that came into existence in 1908.
Jojo Starbuck became a three-time United States pair skating champion and two-time Olympian. Even at the age of 70, the blonde promotes her love for the sport that changed her life.
Come, let’s a little more about the exciting life of Jojo. At the same time, I will impart some information on figure skating.
The article includes her early life, how she got into skating, Starbuck’s net worth, and some details on her personal life!
Quick Facts
| Name | Alicia “JoJo” Starbuck |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | February 14, 1951 |
| Age | 71 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Height | 5’7″ (1.75 m) |
| Profession | Figure Skating, Actress |
| Skating club | Arctic Blades FSC |
| Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Coach | John Nicks |
| Spouse | Terry Bradshaw (Ex); Jeff Gertler (Current) |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter, Facebook |
| Merch | Autographed Photos, Skating Gears |
| Last Update | July, 2022 |
Early Life, Education, & Parents | Jojo Starbuck
On February 14, 1951, Alicia Jo Starbuck was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Hal Francis Starbuck Jr. and Alice Josephine Plunkett Starbuck.
A childhood mispronunciation led to the nickname, which later came to be associated with figure skating.
Unfortunately, Jo’s father passed away from what appeared to be a heart attack when she was just a young child. So Alice reared little Alicia by herself. The Starbuck girls moved to southern California when they were six years old.
Starbuck started skating when she was eight years old. Similar to this, John Nicks put Jojo and Kenneth Shelley together for a certain show. At the Arctic Blades FSC in 1961, Alicia made her ice ring debut alongside Nicks.
As she rose to prominence as a skater, Jojo began competing in prestigious competitions.
These assignments boosted her self-assurance, and after she qualified for the 1968 Winter Olympics, the rest, as we all know, is history.
Age, height, and body measurements for Jojo Starbuck
Starbuck, who was born in 1951, is a content 70-year-old woman. Nothing about the life she led was unfulfilling. Most likely, inspiration and bravery to venture further into the world are gained.
The American, on the other hand, is a proper 86 kg and stands at a height of 5’9″ (1.75 m) (190 lbs).
However, there is no information on her weight during the time she was actively working. But it is clear that a flexible and agile body is necessary for a figure skater.
A figure skater also occasionally conjures up images of a ballet dancer. Jojo had toned legs and a thinner body when she was a young Olympiad.
Error is rarely an option. A small error could cause a career-ending injury. A skater therefore required to be physically strong while still having a thinner body.
Jojo Starbuck | Figure Skating as a Career
The United States’ Jojo and Kenneth Shelley, the youngest skaters to ever compete at the Olympics. The two adored skating together when they were little. Sadly, the ice rink in their hometown was shut down.
In Iceland, there was however optimism for their enthusiasm. Jojo developed a like for ice dancing. The coach dropped her as a student because there was no background information on the form, which is when John Nicks stepped in.
As a result, Shelley and Jojo have been inseparable friends ever since, starting as young children and continuing into their adult years. In a similar vein, the two displayed professional involvement while serving as the Ice Capades’ stars.
Alicia also performed on stage as an actor while she was a skater. For instance, the blonde skater appeared in films like Snow Queen, The Cutting Edge, and Beauty and the Beast: A Concert on Ice.
Additionally, Shelley and Starbuck were such a popular couple in their era that they were able to win the title of United States Pair’s Champions from 1970 to 1972.
And at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, the pair awed the crowd. The figure skating team would eventually be admitted to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
Also read Ron Roenicke Career
Jojo was an absolutely faultless performance. If you combine the allure of Starbucks with the allure of figure skating, you will have the ideal combination. Additionally, Kenneth and Jo’s performance seemed straight out of Wonderland.
The skating team hardly ever committed mistakes, despite their lack of success in many contests.
Although there were greater skaters than Kenneth and Starbuck, there is no denying that the Californians represented their own America with pride on the world stage.
On the other side, Alicia had to spend some time with her kids after retiring. The American Hall of Famer thus started teaching skating largely during the daytime.
The 70-year-old is also teaching the younger generations the same fundamental principles she was raised with. Jojo teaches a session at the Rockefeller Center’s ice rink throughout the workweek. So, if you want to meet Jo, you may find her there.
Similar to Starbuck, who enjoys spending her time instructing workshops where stay-at-home mothers attend once a week to get out of the house and do something else.
Despite this, the legendary blonde skater also served as the Ice Capades’ artistic director. The organization’s primary goal is to revive enthusiasm, excitement, and passion for America’s favorite sport.
Career Achievements And Highlights
In the World Championships,
- Bronze Medal in 1971 Lyon
- Bronze Medal in 1972 Calgary
In the North American Championships,
- Silver Medal in 1969 Oakland
- Gold Medal in 1971 Peterborough
Jojo Starbuck’s income and endorsements contribute to her wealth.
The legendary skater’s many talents have not yet been revealed. The former skater did, however, accrue a net worth greater than $500k over the course of her whole career. The 70-year-old also receives $200k in compensation each year.
Jojo has a dedicated acting career in addition to her skating profession. Starbuck never planned to make it big, but over the years, her movies brought in a mouthwatering sum of money.
One film in particular, New York Stories, brought in a staggering $10.7 million. In addition, the box office success of the 1992 film The Cutting Edge brought in $25.1 million.
As a result, the television film Beauty and the Beast: A Concert on Ice was a huge hit, albeit the precise amount of revenue is unknown.
Moving on, Jo’s spouse is an architect with a yearly salary of $1 million and a base pay of $108,000. The wealth Starbuck and her family have amassed over the course of her career must thus allow them to live a luxurious lifestyle.
Quotes by Jojo Starbuck
Don’t be impressed by wealth, popularity, credentials, or titles. Better to be moved by kindness, generosity, honesty, and integrity.
The right road is not always the simplest one.
Instead of shouting, make your case stronger.
Relationship with Jojo Starbuck: Husband and Children
Jojo recently got married to Jeff Gertler, a prominent architect. Together, the couple is the parent of Noah and Abraham. The elder twin, Noah, attended Vanderbilt University.
Abraham, the youngest, is studying extremely hard to earn his degree from the prestigious MIT college. On the other hand, Starbuck was previously married to renowned NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw.
Sports were initially what brought the two together. Bradshaw and Starbuck got married in 1976 after they first met in 1974.
While this might be the case, there was a breakdown between the couple, and the marriage ended in resentment. Nevertheless, Jojo is now a content woman thanks to Jeff, her devoted spouse.
Jojo Starbuck | Social Media Presence
The gold medalist is quite active on various social media platforms. Below are some of her social media account details.
If you are interested in knowing more about her personal life and career, don’t forget to check her accounts.
Instagram – 1.2 thousand followers
Twitter – 487 followers
Facebook – 3.2 thousand followers
Common Queries:
How old is Jojo Starbuck?
As of February 14, 2021, the figure skater is 70 years old.
What happened to JoJo Starbuck?
After her figure skating career, Starbuck performed as an actress in New York Stories, The Cutting Edge, and the TV movie Beauty and the Beast: A Concert on Ice.
Besides that, she coaches and choreographs at the Essex Skating Club of New Jersey. Furthermore, she lives a quiet life in Madison, New Jersey.
Who was JoJo Starbuck married to?
Initially, JoJo was married to American former professional football player Terry Bradshaw. He also works as an analyst for Fox NFL Sunday.