After buying a house in Connecticut, Baiul began dealing with alcohol addiction. The ice skater had a car accident in 1997 and got a DUI, a charge dropped after she finished probation and an alcohol education program. Baiul told The New York Times in 1998 that she experienced ”a lot of pain inside” and ”pressure.” In May 1998, Champions on Ice let her go after concerns about her excessive drinking. Baiul entered rehab. ”Life for me is more important than alcohol,” Baiul said to the Times.
She published two books: her autobiography, titled “Oksana, My Own Story,” and “Secrets of Skating.” She also created a clothing line for skaters in 2002, and skated in ice shows, including the 2007 musical “Cold as Ice.” She veered toward TV work, appearing as a judge on “Master of Champions” and the 13th season of the “The Apprentice” (from Biography).
Baiul married her manager, Carlo Farina, and together they had a daughter, Sophia, in 2015, reported Wealthy Persons. They live in Las Vegas where they hope to create skating shows, including a revival of the “Champions on Ice Tour,” to which Farina has acquired the rights, reported Vegas Revealed. “The goal and the hope is, because this is home and this is our family’s town … we do it as a sort of residency style show,” Farina said to the publication. “A permanent anchor for one of the resort casinos.”
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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