Tessa Virtue

Early Life and Partnership Formation

Tessa Virtue was born on May 17, 1989, in London, Ontario, the youngest of four children to Kate and Jim Virtue. Her introduction to skating came at age six following a school field trip to an ice arena, a moment that sparked her initial motivation because she did not want to be the only child in her class unable to skate. She received early training in gymnastics and track, but skating quickly became her primary focus. At age seven, she was paired with nine-year-old Scott Moir by his aunt, Carol Moir, a figure skating coach who recognized their potential. The partnership, which began in 1997, would become the longest-standing ice dance team in Canadian history. Initially, the two were so shy they did not talk to each other while skating, but a deep professional and personal bond developed over time. Virtue's dedication was evident when, at age nine, she attended the National Ballet summer school but declined a full-time opportunity to commit fully to her skating career with Moir. She completed her secondary education at Holy Names High School in Windsor and through an electronic learning school in Stratford, and later studied psychology at the University of Windsor.

Rise to Senior Prominence and First Olympic Gold

The competitive ascent of Virtue and Moir was marked by rapid success and historic firsts. After winning the Canadian junior title in 2004, they captured the World Junior Championship and Junior Grand Prix gold in 2006. They quickly rose through the senior ranks, winning bronze at the 2007 Four Continents Championships and finishing sixth at their first senior World Championships that same year. In 2008, they won their first senior World Championship medal, a silver, and became the first ice dance team to receive a perfect 10.0 for a program component score under the ISU Judging System. That same season they also won their first Canadian national title and their first Four Continents Championship gold medal. Their momentum was interrupted in late 2008 when Virtue underwent surgery on both shins to relieve chronic compartment syndrome, forcing them to miss the entire Grand Prix season. They returned to competition in 2009 to win silver at the Four Continents Championships and bronze at the World Championships, setting the stage for their performance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. At those home Games, despite Virtue battling significant leg pain that made walking difficult, they delivered a legendary free skate to Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. They became the first North American ice dancers to win Olympic gold, doing so as the youngest team ever to claim the title at ages 20 and 22. One month later they won their first World Championship in Turin.

Olympic Rivalry, Hiatus, and Historic Comeback

The following Olympic cycle saw an intense and defining rivalry with American duo Meryl Davis and Charlie White, who had finished second to them in Vancouver. In the fall of 2010, Virtue underwent a second surgery on her calves. In their only full competition of the 2010-11 season, they won silver at the World Championships behind the Americans. Virtue and Moir won World Championship gold in 2012 in Nice, before taking silver behind Davis and White at the 2013 Worlds in London, Ontario. At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, they earned silver medals in both the ice dance and the inaugural team events. After Sochi, the pair took a two-season break from competition, performing exclusively in tours and exhibitions such as Stars on Ice, Art on Ice, and All That Skate. They made a triumphant return for the 2016-17 season, relocating their training base from Canton, Michigan, to Montreal to be coached by two-time world silver medallists Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon. That season was unprecedented, as they went undefeated, winning the Grand Prix Final for the first time and securing their third World Championship title in Helsinki. Their career culminated at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, where they were selected as Team Canada’s flag bearers for the Opening Ceremony. They won gold in both the ice dance and team events, securing their fifth Olympic medal and the title of most decorated Olympic figure skaters in history. Their gold medal free dance was watched by approximately 5.7 million Canadian viewers. They announced their retirement from competitive skating on September 17, 2019.

Major Competitive Achievements and Records

Throughout their 22-year partnership, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir established a record of excellence that is unmatched in ice dance. Their career is defined by a collection of historic firsts and enduring records. They are the only ice dance team to have achieved the 'Super Slam', having won every major international competition at both the junior and senior levels. Their five Olympic medals (three gold, two silver) stand as the most won by any figure skater. They were the first ice dancers from North America to win Olympic gold, the first to win gold in their Olympic debut, and the first to win Olympic gold on home ice. At the time of their victory in 2010, they were the youngest ice dance team ever to win an Olympic title. The duo also holds the world record score for the now-defunct original dance segment. Their major titles and career highlights include a consistent presence on the podium at the sport's highest levels.

• Olympic Games: Gold in ice dance (2010, 2018). Silver in ice dance (2014). Gold in team event (2018). Silver in team event (2014).
• ISU World Championships: Gold (2010, 2012, 2017). Silver (2008, 2011, 2013). Bronze (2009). 6th place (2007).
• ISU Four Continents Championships: Gold (2008, 2012, 2017). Silver (2009, 2013). Bronze (2006, 2007).
• ISU Grand Prix Final: Gold (2016). Silver (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013). 4th place (2007).
• Canadian National Championships: Eight titles (2008 to 2010, 2012 to 2014, 2017 to 2018).
• World Junior Championships: Gold (2006).
• Junior Grand Prix Final: Gold (2006).

They won gold in both the ice dance and team events. This achievement solidified their legacy as one of the greatest teams in the history of the sport. Upon winning their third Olympic gold, they became the most decorated Olympic figure skaters of all time. They are widely regarded as one of the greatest ice dance teams of all time.

Post-Competitive Career in Business, Media and Performance

Following her retirement from competition, Tessa Virtue has built a career that spans business, media, and performance. She has pursued higher education, completing an Executive MBA at Queen's University starting in the fall of 2020 and graduating with a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023. Professionally, she serves as an executive advisor with Deloitte, working with the firm's senior leaders and their clients. In the media sphere, she has been a guest analyst for CBC during the 2022 Beijing Olympics and has been featured in numerous publications including Vogue Japan, Strong Fitness Magazine, Best Health Magazine, and Hello! Canada, and has been a cover subject for Real Style Magazine. Virtue has also been active in production, co-producing and skating in the 'Thank You Canada Tour' in 2018 and the 'Rock the Rink' tour in 2019 with Scott Moir. She has ventured into fashion and design through collaborations, launching a jewelry collection with Hillberg & Berk in 2015 which she helped design, and a glasses line with BonLook in 2018. In 2024, she embraced a new artistic challenge, making her contemporary dance debut without skates in a solo performance at the Fall for Dance North Festival in Toronto, exploring movement beyond the precision of skating. Throughout her career, she and Moir were sponsored by many Canadian companies including Visa, Air Canada, and Lindt, while Virtue individually held partnerships with Adidas, Nivea, Colgate, and MAC Cosmetics.

Personal Life, Family and Philanthropy

Tessa Virtue has maintained a strong connection to her roots in London, Ontario, though her skating career took her to train in Canton, Michigan, from 2004, and later Montreal in 2016. She attended Holy Names High School in Windsor and studied psychology at the University of Windsor, later continuing her degree at the University of Western Ontario. In early 2023, she became engaged to Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly, whom she met through a mutual friend. The couple married later that year in a wedding covered by Hello! magazine, and in August 2024, they welcomed their first child, a son. The family resides in Toronto with their dog. Virtue is a long-time advocate for several causes, serving as a member of the Special Olympics Canada Champions Network. She has supported organizations such as the Thames Valley Children's Centre and the Humane Society. Her public work is often associated with advocacy for female empowerment, mental health, and wellness. She has described her partnership with Moir as a special one where they think the world of each other, having previously called each other best friends.

Honours, Awards and National Recognition

The achievements of Tessa Virtue, both individually and with Scott Moir, have been recognized with Canada's highest honours. Their athletic excellence and role as inspirations to a new generation have been formally celebrated by the nation. In 2010, they were inducted into the London, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, an unusual honour for active athletes as guidelines typically require a two-year retirement period. They were named Canadian Olympic athletes of the year by CBC in December 2017. In early May 2018, they received the Partnership of the Year award at the Sports Québec gala. Following the 2018 Olympics, ESPN named Virtue one of the world's most famous female athletes, the highest-ranked Canadian woman on that list. In December 2018, they were inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in the Sports and Athletics category. In October 2019, Virtue received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario. On November 27, 2020, Governor General Julie Payette appointed Virtue and Moir as Members of the Order of Canada. Their legacy was further cemented in 2023 with induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, marked by receiving the Order of Sport. Virtue was also honoured with a Barbie doll in her likeness as part of Mattel's 'Role Models' series in 2019, and Skate Canada honoured her as part of their Elite Class of 2025.

Olympic and World Championship Performance Results

The Olympic and World Championship journey of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir resulted in a consistent record of podium finishes. They are the 2010 and 2018 Olympic champions and the 2014 Olympic silver medallist. They are also three-time World champions from 2010, 2012, and 2017. They were the 2011 and 2013 World silver medallists and the 2009 World bronze medallists. Their career illustrates their dominance over more than a decade.

Their performance at the 2010 Vancouver Games was particularly notable for overcoming injury and the pressure of competing at home. Virtue was fighting through leg pain that made even a short walk a struggle. At the ages of 20 and 22, they became the youngest ice dance team to ever win Olympic gold. They also became the first ice dancers from North America to win an Olympic gold medal. At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, they became the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history.

Publications and Cultural Impact

Beyond the ice, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir extended their influence through publications and television, sharing their journey with a wide audience. In October 2010, they co-wrote a book with Steve Milton titled 'Tessa and Scott: Our Journey from Childhood Dream to Gold', published after their first Olympic triumph. In late 2013, they filmed a television show focusing on their training for the Sochi Olympics, which aired on the W Network in January 2014. Their cultural impact in Canada was immense, with Time magazine noting in 2018 that they had become beloved for their passionate performances and chemistry on and off the ice. Their story and success have served as inspiration for future generations of Canadian skaters, with Moir returning to the Olympics as a coach in 2026 and both often cited as role models. Their advice to new Olympians, as shared in 2026, emphasizes embracing the moment and finding calm within the chaos of the Games, lessons drawn from their own three-Olympic experience. Virtue's favourite quote, 'Don’t be delicate. Be vast and brilliant,' reflects the approach that defined their career.

Questions about Tessa Virtue

How many Olympic medals did Tessa Virtue win?

Tessa Virtue won five Olympic medals with partner Scott Moir, making them the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history. Their medal count includes three gold medals and two silver medals. The gold medals were won in ice dance at the 2010 and 2018 Olympics, and in the team event at the 2018 Olympics. Their silver medals were earned in ice dance and the team event at the 2014 Sochi Games.

What is Tessa Virtue doing after retirement?

Since retiring, Tessa Virtue has built a career in business, media, and performance. She works as an executive advisor with Deloitte and has earned a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She co-produced skating tours like Rock the Rink, launched fashion collaborations with Hillberg & Berk and BonLook, and served as a CBC Olympic analyst in 2022. In 2024, she made her contemporary dance debut in a stage performance at the Fall for Dance North Festival.

Is Tessa Virtue married?

Yes, Tessa Virtue is married to Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly. The couple became engaged in early 2023 and married later that same year. Their wedding was featured in Hello! magazine. In August 2024, they welcomed their first child, a son. The family resides in Toronto with their dog.

What world records do Virtue and Moir hold?

Virtue and Moir are holders of the world record score for the now-defunct original dance. They are the only ice dancers in history to achieve a Super Slam, having won all major international competitions in their senior and junior careers. They are the most decorated Olympic figure skaters of all time with five career Olympic medals. They were also the youngest ice dance team ever to win an Olympic title.

What honours has Tessa Virtue received from Canada?

Tessa Virtue, alongside Scott Moir, has received some of Canada's highest honours. They were appointed Members of the Order of Canada in 2020 for athletic excellence and inspiration. In 2023, they were inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and received the Order of Sport. They were also inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2018, received honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Western Ontario in 2019, and were inducted into the London, Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

When did Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir retire?

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir announced they were 'stepping away' from competitive skating on September 17, 2019. This announcement marked the end of their 22 year partnership as ice dancers. Their retirement followed a historic and unprecedented career that included three Olympic gold medals and five Olympic medals in total. They had skated together for over twenty years, making them the longest standing ice dance team in Canadian history. Following their final competitive season in 2018, they had already begun touring with their own ice show, The Thank You Canada Tour.

Sources and further reading

• Tessa Virtue (Wikipedia)
• Tessa Virtue, Team Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee (olympic.ca)
• Olympic Advice from Canada's Figure Skating Legends (skatecanada.ca)
• Tessa Virtue | Five-Time Olympic Medalist (thespotlightagency.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.