Professional Career
Lynn's international-level travails had not dimmed her country's affection for her. Her popularity was such that the Ice Follies offered her a three-year contract for $1,455,000, which made her the highest-paid female professional athlete of the time. She proved to be the kind of draw she was expected to be, putting the Ice Follies on a much firmer basis in its rivalry with the Ice Capades. In 1974, Janet Lynn finally took the top spot in a World competition, becoming the World Professional Champion in an event created by promoter Dick Button to showcase her.
Lynn's professional career was cut short after only two years by problems with allergy-related asthma exacerbated by the cold, damp air in skating rinks. In 1975, she retired from skating and started a family.
In the early 1980s, with her asthma under control, she returned to skate professionally for a few years. She again appeared in Button's professional competitions and co-starred with John Curry in his made-for-TV ice ballet, "The Snow Queen".
Over the years, Lynn has also worked as a Christian motivational speaker and contributed articles promoting conservative political causes.
Read more about this topic: Janet Lynn
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