Former Olympic skater, Michelle Kwan weds Senator’s grandson, Clay Pell
Donning a ivory Vera Wang gown, former Olympic skater Michelle Kwan walked down the aisle Saturday with her dad and married the grandson of a former US Senator during a ceremony at a Providence, RI church, according to a People report Jan. 19.
The 32-year-old Kwan tied the knot with 31-year-old Clay Pell, a director of strategic planning on the National Security staff at the White House and grandson of the late Senator Claiborne Pell, the six-term United States senator from Rhode Island.
The wedding, with a guest list of some 240 including other US skating legends Brian Boitano and Dorothy Hamill, took place at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, R.I., according to the celebrity magazine.
In addition to his job with the White House, Pell is also a JAG and Lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard. Pell wore his military dress uniform.
His grandfather is best known for being the sponsor of the Pell Grant. A Pell Grant is money the U.S. federal government provides for students who need it to pay for college. It is not a loan and does not need to be paid back.
People reports the couple shared their self-written vows and spontaneously kissed before the officially scheduled time in the ceremony.
Kwan and Pell got engaged in September after meeting in April 2011.
Michelle Kwan retired from skating in 2002 after an illustrious career that included being a two-time (1998 and 2002) Olympic medalist, a five-time (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2003) World champion and a nine-time (1996, 1998–2005) U.S. champion.
She is now a senior advisor for public diplomacy and public affairs.