Meryl Davis
With partner Charlie White, she revolutionized American ice dancing, blending athletic precision with artistic storytelling to win Olympic gold.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American ice dancer·Birthday: January 1·Millennials
Biography
Meryl Davis, alongside Charlie White, didn't just win competitions; they transformed the perception of ice dancing in the United States. Their partnership, which began when she was nine and he was eight, evolved into the most successful in U.S. history. Trained by the exacting Marina Zoueva, they were technicians of the highest order, but it was their unique artistic expression—often drawing on contemporary themes and intricate storytelling—that set them apart. Their crowning achievement at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where they became the first Americans to win gold in ice dancing, was the result of years of perfecting a seamless, unified style. Beyond the medals, Davis's grace under pressure and intellectual approach to performance elevated the sport, making her a role model for a generation of skaters who saw new possibilities on the ice.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Meryl was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Meryl Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Meryl's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Olympic gold medal in ice dancing at the 2014 Sochi Games with partner Charlie White.
- Captured two World Championship titles (2011, 2013) and five consecutive Grand Prix Final championships (2009-2013).
- Earned six consecutive U.S. national championship titles from 2009 to 2014.
- Won the silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the first of many historic results for the American pair.
Did You Know?
She and Charlie White are the longest-running ice dance partnership in U.S. history, skating together for over 20 years.
Davis minored in cultural anthropology at the University of Michigan, which she said influenced her approach to program themes.
She won the mirrorball trophy on the 18th season of 'Dancing with the Stars' with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Davis is fluent in French and spent a semester studying abroad in Paris during her university years.
“Charlie and I have always been about pushing the boundaries of what's possible in ice dance.”
