Otto Jelinek: key obituary facts
Is Otto Jelinek dead? Yes. Otto Jelinek died on September 5, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: Otto Jelinek's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Otto Jelinek known for?
He was a Canadian figure skater, politician and entrepreneur.
More about Otto Jelinek
Born: 20 May 1940.
Place of birth: Prague.
Gender: male.
Occupation: figure skater, politician, diplomat, businessperson, athlete.
Nationality: Canada, Czechoslovakia.
Education: Oakville Trafalgar High School.
Awards: Silver Medal of the President of the Senate, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
Also known as: Otto John Jelinek.
Otto Jelinek, the Czech-born Canadian figure skater and politician who served as a member of Parliament from 1972 to 1993 and as minister of national revenue from 1989 to 1993, died on September 5, 2026, aged 86.
Born Otakar Jelínek in Prague, then part of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, he fled with his family to Switzerland and later Canada in 1948 after the Communist takeover. Jelinek first gained prominence in sport, competing in pair skating with his sister Maria; the duo won the 1962 World Championships and represented Canada at the 1960 Winter Olympics, finishing fourth.
After retiring from competition, he toured professionally with Ice Capades before entering business, diplomacy and public life, later serving as Canada’s ambassador to the Czech Republic.