André the Giant Biography: Real Name, Net Worth, Height, Age, Wife, Parents, Death

André the Giant was a legendary professional wrestler and entertainer who amazed audiences with his size and strength.

He was also a talented actor who starred in the classic film The Princess Bride as the lovable Fezzik. He was widely respected and admired by his peers and fans, who called him “the Eighth Wonder of the World”.

Profile

• Full name: André René Roussimoff
• Nickname: André the Giant
• Date of birth: May 19, 1946
• Age: 77 years old (as of 2023)
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Coulommiers, France
• Nationality: French
• Profession: Professional wrestler and actor
• Height: 7 feet 4 inches
• Parents: Boris and Mariann Roussimoff
• Siblings: Three brothers and one sister
• Spouse: None
• Children: One daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff
• Relationship status: Single
• Net worth: $10 million (estimated)

Early Life & Education

André the Giant, who would be age 77 as of 2023, was born on May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, France, to Boris and Mariann Roussimoff, who were of Bulgarian and Polish descent, respectively. He had three brothers and one sister, who were of normal size.

He suffered from a condition called gigantism, which caused him to grow much taller and heavier than normal people.

He reached a height of 6 feet 3 inches by age 12, grew to 7 feet 4 inches, and weighed over 500 pounds.

He attended school until he was 14, when he dropped out and started working on his father’s farm. He also learned to play the piano and guitar and developed a love for music and literature.

He was discovered by a local wrestling promoter, who saw his potential as a wrestler and offered him to train with him.

He accepted the offer and began his wrestling career in France in 1966 under Jean Ferré.

Personal Life

André the Giant never married, but he had a daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, born in 1979.

He met her mother, Jean Christensen, in 1976 while wrestling in Salt Lake City, Utah. They had a brief relationship, but André did not know about his daughter until 1989 when Jean contacted him and asked for child support.

André agreed to pay for her education and medical expenses and met her for the first time. He developed a bond with her and kept in touch with her until his death.

André the Giant was also romantically linked to several women, such as actress and model Lynn Tilton, wrestler Sherri Martel, and actress Ann Margret.

He was known for his charm and charisma and had many friends in the wrestling and entertainment industry. He was especially close to fellow wrestlers Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Bobby Heenan, and actors Billy Crystal, Robin Wright, and Cary Elwes.

André the Giant enjoyed drinking and eating and was known for his enormous appetite and tolerance for alcohol. He could drink up to 119 beers in one sitting and consume 12 steaks and 15 lobsters in one meal.

He also liked to play cards, watch movies, and read books. He was a fan of the French author Marcel Proust and had a collection of his works.

Career

André the Giant had a remarkable career as a professional wrestler and actor, spanning over three decades. He started his wrestling career in France in 1966, then moved to Japan, where he became popular as “Monster Roussimoff”.

He wrestled in Canada, England, Germany, and other countries before joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in 1973.

He was billed as “André, the Giant” and became a fan favourite, often facing multiple opponents simultaneously. He also had memorable feuds with wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, and Ted DiBiase.

He won several championships and accolades, including the WWWF World Tag Team Championship, the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, the NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, and the inaugural WWF Royal Rumble in 1988.

He was also the first wrestler to be inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1993 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential wrestlers ever.

He is also a member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

André the Giant also appeared in several movies and TV shows, most notably as Fezzik, the gentle Giant, in the 1987 film The Princess Bride. He was well-liked by his co-stars and friends, who described him as kind, generous, and humorous.

He also appeared in films such as Conan the Destroyer, Micki & Maude, Trading Mom, and TV shows such as The Six Million Dollar Man, The Greatest American Hero, and Zorro.

Net Worth

André the Giant had an estimated net worth of $10 million at his death. He earned most of his income from his wrestling and acting career, as well as from endorsements and merchandise.

He was one of the highest-paid wrestlers in the WWF, earning up to $400,000 per year in the late 1980s. He also received royalties from film and TV appearances and video game and comic book adaptations.

Death

André the Giant died on January 27, 1993, in Paris, France, due to congestive heart failure. He was 46 years old.

He had been suffering from various health problems, such as back pain, arthritis, and sleep apnea, due to his gigantism.

He had also undergone several surgeries, such as a spinal fusion and a knee replacement, to improve his condition.

He was in France to attend his father’s funeral when he passed away in his sleep in a hotel room. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered at his ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina.

Controversy

André the Giant was not without controversy, as he was involved in some incidents and disputes that tarnished his reputation.

He was accused of being racist, sexist, and homophobic by some of his former colleagues and opponents, who claimed that he used derogatory and offensive language towards them.

He was also alleged to have assaulted a cameraman, who tried to film him without his permission, and a fan, who insulted him at a bar.

He was also sued by a woman, who claimed that he groped her in a hotel lobby. He denied or settled most of these allegations and maintained that he was not a violent or hateful person.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: N/A
• Twitter handle: N/A

Filmography

• The Princess Bride
• Conan the Destroyer
• Micki & Maude
• Trading Mom
• The Six Million Dollar Man
• The Greatest American Hero
• B.J. and the Bear
• Zorro
• The Fall Guy