Net Worth Ranker
What Is André the Giant’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in 1993, André the Giant, born André René Roussimoff, had a net worth of $5 million. Adjusting for inflation, this equates to approximately $10 million in today’s dollars. This net worth was accumulated through his successful career as a professional wrestler and actor. While specific breakdowns of his earnings from wrestling versus acting are not publicly available, we can examine aspects of his career that contributed to his financial status.
André the Giant’s Career Earnings and Income Streams
André the Giant’s wrestling career, spanning from 1966 until the early 1990s, was the primary source of his income. In 1974, it was reported that Roussimoff was the highest-paid wrestler, earning an annual salary of approximately $400,000 during the early 1970s. While the exact details of his WWF (now WWE) contracts are not publicly available, his prominence as a main event performer suggests he received a substantial portion of the company’s revenue during his peak years. For instance, headlining Wrestlemania III against Hulk Hogan would have undoubtedly resulted in a significant payday, although the specific amount remains undisclosed. While André the Giant’s net worth was largely due to his wrestling salary, there is no precise breakdown is available of income and revenue streams.
In the early 1970s, Andre made approximately $400,000 annually. While there’s no concrete data regarding his revenue split between wrestling engagements, film roles, and other ventures, let’s estimate the following possible net worth: Wrestling salaries and associated bonuses were $4,100,000, while acting roles could have brought in $900,000. A combined total of approximately $5 million.
Beyond his wrestling career, André the Giant also pursued acting roles that added to his income. His most notable role was as Fezzik in “The Princess Bride” (1987). While his exact salary for the role is not publicly known, lead actors in major films during that period typically earned substantial sums. For example, Cary Elwes, the lead actor in “The Princess Bride”, was paid $50,000 for his work. It is likely that André the Giant also received a similar rate to be in the movie as he was not the lead role. Other film and television appearances, such as his role as Sasquatch in “The Six Million Dollar Man,” contributed additional income, albeit to a lesser extent than his wrestling career and notable movie role. André the Giant appeared in a number of other TV shows, such as “The Greatest American Hero,” “B.J. and the Bear,” “The Fall Guy,” and “Zorro.” In 1984, he appeared (uncredited) in “Conan the Destroyer.” That year, he also booked a role in “Micki & Maude.” His last film, “Trading Mom,” was released one year after his death in 1994. While financial details are not available, these roles helped contribute to André the Giant’s net worth.
There is no public information available about André the Giant’s revenue earned as a wrestler or as an actor for his filmography. The only information that is available is that, in 1974, Roussimoff was the highest-paid wrestler at that time, with an annual salary of about $400,000 during the early 70s.
Early Life, Career Beginnings, and Key Milestones
André René Roussimoff was born on May 19, 1946, in Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne, France. Weighing 13 pounds at birth, he quickly displayed symptoms of gigantism. He later stated that while his parents were of an average height, his grandfather was 7’8. By the time he reached the age of 12, Roussimoff stood at 6’3. He exhibited some skill in mathematics as a child before graduating from secondary education and working on his father’s farm. He also became close with Samuel Beckett during the 50s. However, manual labor was not satisfying for André, and he eventually packed up his bags and moved to Paris at the age of 18.
André the Giant began his professional wrestling career in Paris, where he was trained by a local promoter. In 1966, he connected with a Canadian promoter who later became his business manager and adviser. This led to wrestling opportunities in various countries, including the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. By 1970, he had made his Japanese debut with International Wrestling Enterprise, fighting under the stage name “Monster Roussimoff.” By this point, doctors had confirmed that he was suffering from acromegaly. His next stop was in Montreal, Canada, where he quickly became a popular figure. Eventually, he came to the attention of Vince McMahon, who advised that André change up his image. McMahon recommended that Roussimoff stop performing agile manoeuvers, such as dropkicks. This was to create the sense that he was a slow, lumbering giant. It was Vince who started billing Roussimoff as “André the Giant” for the first time.
André the Giant’s WWF debut in 1973 marked a turning point in his career. He became the WWF champion and established rivalries with notable wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and Jake Roberts. From the 1990s onwards, his appearances became less frequent, and he finished his career in World Championship Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Property and Assets
Information regarding André the Giant’s real estate holdings or other significant assets is not publicly available. It is unknown whether he owned property or invested in other ventures beyond his earnings from wrestling and acting. Typically, celebrities of his stature would have invested in real estate or other assets to secure their financial future. However, due to the private nature of such information, it is not possible to provide specific details about his property or assets.
Personal Life and Habits
During the early 70s, André the Giant had a child with a woman named Jean Christensen. This was André’s only child – a daughter named Robin. However, Robin allegedly saw her father only five times throughout her entire life. André the Giant was known for his prodigious alcohol consumption. He has often been referred to as the “greatest drunk on Earth.” His alcohol tolerance was so high that he regularly drank over 100 beers in a single sitting. Before one famous wrestling match, he allegedly drank 14 bottles of wine.
André the Giant suffered from gigantism caused by excessive amounts of growth hormone. This later resulted in acromegaly. These medical conditions likely caused significant issues for Roussimoff, including joint pain, high blood pressure, and vision problems. Acromegaly also typically results in a significantly shorter lifespan, although this can be addressed somewhat with medical treatment. Roussimoff died of congestive heart failure in his early 40s in 1993. He passed away in a Paris hotel room and was discovered by his chauffeur the next morning. Tragically, he was actually visiting Paris to attend his father’s funeral. His last day was spent playing cards with some of his oldest friends. He also left his entire estate to his only child, Robin.
