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Bruno Sammartino Bodybuilder Then And Now

By Cornell Scott / March 11, 2024

Bruno Sammartino Then

History, Bodybuilding Career, and Family Background

Bruno Sammartino was born on October 6, 1935, in Pizzoferrato, Italy. He moved to the United States with his family in 1950 and began his bodybuilding career in 1953 at the age of 18. Sammartino quickly rose through the ranks of the bodybuilding world, winning the Mr. America title in 1959 and the Mr. Universe title in 1961. He was known for his massive size and strength, as well as his incredible definition and symmetry.

In addition to his bodybuilding career, Sammartino was also a successful professional wrestler. He began his wrestling career in 1959 and quickly became one of the most popular wrestlers in the world. Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for a record seven years, from 1963 to 1971. He was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.

Sammartino was married to Carol Ann Bakos from 1965 until his death in 2018. They had three children together: David, Danny, and Andrea. Sammartino was a devoted family man and was known for his strong work ethic and determination.

Competitive History

Amateur Victories

Mr. America (1959)
Mr. Universe (1961)

Professional Victories

WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (7 times)
WWWF International Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
TWF World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Bruno Sammartino Now

Current Activities

Sammartino passed away on April 18, 2018, at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann, and his three children. Sammartino is remembered as one of the greatest bodybuilders and wrestlers of all time. He was a pioneer in the sport of bodybuilding and helped to popularize it around the world. Sammartino was also a beloved figure in the wrestling community and is still considered one of the greatest champions of all time.