Elizabeth Thorsen Wiki - Elizabeth Thorsen Biography
Elizabeth Thorsen is known as the widowed wife of the late Rafer Johnson, a former decathlete and American film actor. She was the 1960 Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon, having won silver in 1956.
The impressive Olympic gold medal winner who became a beloved symbol of good sportsmanship and civic generosity, died Wednesday, December 2, at her home in Sherman Oaks. She was 86 years old. The death of the Olympian was confirmed by her family.
Johnson qualified for the decathlon and long jump events for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. However, he was hampered by injury and lost his place in the long jump. Despite this handicap, she managed to take second place in the decathlon behind her compatriot Milt Campbell. It would turn out to be his last loss at the event.
At UCLA, Johnson also played basketball with legendary coach John Wooden and was a starter on the men’s basketball team from 1958-59. Wooden considered Johnson a great defensive player, but sometimes regretted holding back his teams early in his coaching career, commenting, “Imagine Rafer Johnson at halftime.”
Elizabeth Thorsen Age
Elizabeth Thorsen’s age is unknown.
Elizabeth Thorsen and Rafer Johnson Chidlren
On December 18, 1971, Johnson married Elizabeth “Betsy” Thorsen, a high school teacher in Orange County, California. The couple had two children: Jennifer, born in 1973; and Joshua, born 1975. The family moved to Sherman Oaks, California, in 1973.
