Nathan Chen’s ability to land quads on the track was unparalleled. Not surprisingly, he went on to represent the United States at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. But while the world knew Nathan as a two-time Olympian, to his parents, Nathan Chen was just his son.
So who are their proud parents: Zhidong Chen and Hetty Wang? She continues reading to find out.
Who are the parents of Nathan Chen?
Nathan Chen’s parents, Zhidong Chen and Hetty Wang, are Chinese immigrants whose experiences propel him every time he steps on the ice. Arriving in the US with nothing and seeing them come so far, Nathan said, “It’s inspiring to see how far they’ve come and how hard they’ve worked for us.”
Speaking of their journey, Nathan’s parents immigrated to the US from Tianjin, China in 1988 on the Zhidong student visa. The Chen family then lived in Carbondale, Illinois, before moving to Salt Lake City, Utah, without family or friends.
Also, Nathan’s mom couldn’t even speak English.
So, “it must have been really hard,” Nathan said before revealing that they don’t talk about their struggles much.
Nathan Chen Father: Zhidong Chen
Nathan’s father, Zhidong Chen, was the one who brought the family to the United States on his student visa.
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Zhidong Chen era
Zhidong Chen was 64 years old when his son Nathan competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
This also means that Zhidong was 42 years old when she had Nathan.
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Zhidong Chen Nationality
Nathan Chen’s father, Zhidong Chen, is a Chinese who immigrated to the US in 1988.
His hometown is a rural place.
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Is Zhidong Chen on IG?
No, since 2022, Zhidong has not been on IG. She was not at any social event.
However, you can find his photos on Nathan’s IG @nathanwchen.
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Zhidong Chen’s work
Zhidong Chen is a medical researcher with a Ph.D. in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Utah.
Since 2022, he has served as the president of MultiTarget Pharmaceuticals LLC in Salt Lake City. He allegedly joined the company in 2008.
In addition, Zhidong was then a senior scientist at Genta Incorporated and SalusTherapeuticals.
Nathan Chen Mom: Hetty Wang
It was Nathan Chen’s mother, Hetty Wang, who first introduced the Olympian to public skating and he’s been hooked ever since.
However, Nathan doesn’t remember his first time on the ice.
But Hetty sure wants to! “He didn’t want to leave. He just stood there and cried and cried,” Hetty recalled.
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The Hetty Wang era
Hetty Wang, the mother of Nathan Chen, was 60 years old in 2022.
Which means Hetty was 38 when she gave birth to Nathan.
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Nationality Hetty Wang
Hetty Wang is from Beijing, China, where her son competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
She moved to the United States with her husband in 1988.
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Is Hetty Wang on IG?
No, Hetty was not on IG or social media.
But, like her husband, she was the star of her son’s company. The last time we saw her, she and her children were vaccinated in 2021.
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Hetty Wang’s work
Hetty Wang worked most of her life as a medical translator and spent her free time earning herself by pushing her children.
As Hetty says, all of her children are unique, she equally drew them into some sport or hobby, but Nathan was the only one who moved.
When putting her son on the ice rink, Hetty would ask him to imitate the other children on the ice rink. She even signed him up for skating, gymnastics, piano, ballet, she woke him up before sundown to get to the rink, she took him to Hawthorne Elementary School and then Ballet West Academy at night.
When he heard what his ballet instructor asked Nathan to do, he wouldn’t bring him home until he got it right.
However, Hetty never imagined that her son would be in the Olympics. She didn’t want Nathan to bring home a medal or stand on the podium. Instead, she was about letting her find joy in what she enjoyed doing and sticking with it.
Related FAQ
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Did Nathan Chen’s parents adopt him?
Nathan Chen was not adopted.
The only time Nathan jokingly said he was adopted was when he posted a family photo in September 2018.
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When did Nathan Chen’s parents get married?
It was sometime before 1988. Nathan’s parents got married.
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How many children do Nathan Chen’s parents have?
Nathan Chen’s parents have five children and he is the youngest.
His eldest daughter, Alice Chen @alicefchen, worked in social media for Apple News and lived in New York. She also owned her own candle company, We Are Social Club, and worked for Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine’s production company Book Club.
Below Alice is Janice Chen @janiceschen, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, who later became the founder of Mammoth Bioscience. She also earned a Ph.D. from the Doudna Lab at UC Berkley, and gave a 2018 TedTalk on CRISPR diagnostics.
Finally the brothers come, Tony @runtxc and Colin Chen. There were also athletes on the ice playing hockey.
Categories: Biography
Source: newstars.edu.vn