Happy Birthday wishes go out to Katarina Witt who turns 45 years old today. She is probably best known as a German figure skater, but she is also an accomplished writer, painter, and actress. Katarina was born in Staaken, East Germany and now lives and works in Berlin.

Katarina won two Olympic gold medals in figure skating, one in the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics and one in the 1988 Calgary Olympics. She also won the World Championships in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988, and the European Championships six straight years. (1983-1988)

Katarina won an Emmy Award for her acting performance in the movie "Carmen on Ice" in 1990. She also had a cameo appearance in the movie "Jerry Maguire," and starred in a German-language movie "Princess on Ice."

Katarina was known for her riske skating outfits and was once sanctioned by skating officials for an outfit she wore. Katarina posed for Playboy Magazine in 1988 and the issue became only the second to sell out. I may have seen a photo or two from that issue. So Happy Birthday Katarina!!