Ric Flair Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / August 21, 2024
Ric Flair Then
Ric Flair, born Richard Morgan Fliehr on February 25, 1949, in Memphis, Tennessee, is widely recognized as one of professional wrestling’s most iconic figures.
His early life, however, began with a unique and somewhat mysterious background.
Shortly after his birth, Flair was adopted, and while it is generally believed that his birth name was Fred Phillips, some documents refer to him as Fred Demaree or Fred Stewart.
His adoption brought him into the Fliehr family, where his adoptive father was completing his medical residency in obstetrics and gynecology in Detroit, Michigan, while his adoptive mother, Kathleen, worked for the Star Tribune newspaper.
Not long after the adoption, the Fliehr family moved and settled in Edina, Minnesota. It was here that Flair’s life began to take shape.
He attended Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, for high school, where he was a multi-sport athlete, participating in wrestling, football, and track.
His passion for wrestling began during this time, setting the foundation for his future career.
Flair later enrolled at the University of Minnesota with plans to follow in his adoptive father’s footsteps and pursue a career in medicine.
However, his ambition soon shifted, leading him to drop out of college and pursue his true passion—professional wrestling.
Ric Flair’s decision to leave college and enter the wrestling world proved to be a turning point in his life.
His athletic background, especially in high school wrestling, provided a solid foundation for his entry into professional wrestling, where he would eventually become a legendary figure known for his flamboyant personality, charisma, and in-ring prowess.
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Ric Flair’s Wrestling Career
Ric Flair, famously known as “The Nature Boy,” began his illustrious journey into professional wrestling when he crossed paths with the legendary Vachon brothers.
These early connections sparked his interest in the sport and eventually led to his professional wrestling debut on December 10, 1972, where he faced “Scrap Iron” George Gadaski.
Initially, Flair worked with Gagne’s Minneapolis Boxing & Wrestling Club, where he honed his craft and began developing his signature style.
After several months, Flair made a pivotal move to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he became a prominent figure in Jim Crockett Promotions, a territory that would become a key part of his career.
His time there cemented his status as a top competitor, and in 1981, Flair captured his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship, marking the beginning of his legendary run as one of wrestling’s greatest champions.
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Throughout his career, Flair was a major draw in pay-per-view events and headlined major shows like Starrcade, where he was the main attraction 10 times.
His success wasn’t limited to the NWA, as he transitioned into Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), where he continued to make history.
In 1992, Flair won the Royal Rumble and headlined WrestleMania VIII, further solidifying his legacy.
Over the course of his career, Flair became an eight-time PWI Wrestler of the Year, a testament to his dominance and popularity in the sport.
Flair’s contributions to wrestling earned him the rare distinction of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice: first in 2008 for his individual career and again in 2012 as part of the legendary faction, The Four Horsemen.
He is also enshrined in the NWA Hall of Fame, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, reflecting his widespread impact across the wrestling industry.
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Ric Flair’s career is defined by his status as a 16-time world champion, holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship eight times, the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times, and the WWF Championship twice.
Flair was the inaugural holder of both the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and the WCW International World Heavyweight Championship, establishing him as a pioneer in the sport.
Additionally, Flair achieved WCW’s Triple Crown by winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, the United States Championship, and the World Tag Team Championship.
He later achieved WWE’s Triple Crown by capturing the WWF Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, and the World Tag Team Championship.
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Uniquely, Flair remains the only wrestler to have held all four major versions of a world title, solidifying his reputation as one of the most accomplished and decorated athletes in professional wrestling history.
Ric Flair Wrestling Competition
- NWA World Heavyweight Champion (8 times)
- WCW World Heavyweight Champion (6 times)
- WWF Champion (2 times)
- WWE Intercontinental Champion
- WWE World Tag Team Champion
- WCW United States Heavyweight Champion (5 times)
- WCW World Tag Team Champion (3 times)
- NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion (3 times)
- NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champion (3 times)
- NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (6 times)
- NWA World Tag Team Champion (1 time)
- NWA Mid-Atlantic Television Champion (2 times)
- Winner of the 1992 WWF Royal Rumble
- WWE Hall of Fame Inductee (2008, 2012 as part of The Four Horsemen)
- NWA Hall of Fame Inductee
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Inductee
Ric Flair’s Wife and Children
Ric Flair’s personal life has been filled with numerous marriages, children, and ups and downs that have contributed to his complex legacy outside the wrestling ring. On August 28, 1971, Flair married his first wife, Leslie Goodman.
During their marriage, the couple welcomed two children: a daughter named Megan and a son named David.
However, their relationship ended in 1983, marking the beginning of Flair’s journey through a series of marriages.
Later that same year, on August 27, 1983, Flair married Elizabeth Harrell, with whom he had two more children: a daughter named Ashley and a son named Reid.
Flair and Harrell’s marriage lasted for over two decades before they divorced in 2006.
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Shortly after his second divorce, Flair married Tiffany VanDemark, a fitness competitor, on May 27, 2006.
However, this marriage was short-lived as Tiffany filed for divorce in 2008, which was finalized in 2009. Despite multiple divorces, Flair’s commitment to marriage didn’t wane.
On November 11, 2009, he married Jackie Beems in North Carolina. Once again, this relationship was tumultuous, and Flair filed for divorce in 2012, which was finalized in 2014.
Flair’s fifth and most recent marriage took place on September 12, 2018, when he wed Wendy Barlow, known to wrestling fans as “Fifi the Maid” during her time in WCW.
The couple faced challenges and separated in January 2022, but they reconciled in May 2022.
Ric Flair’s children have also been involved in wrestling, with his son David following in his father’s footsteps by working for WCW from 1999 to 2001.
Flair’s other son, Reid, showed great promise as a decorated high school wrestler and signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2007.
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Tragically, Reid passed away in March 2013 from a drug overdose involving a combination of heroin, Xanax, and a muscle relaxer.
Flair’s daughter Ashley, who wrestles under the name Charlotte Flair, has become one of the most successful and decorated women in WWE history since signing with the company in 2012.
Flair also became a grandfather in 2004 when his daughter Megan gave birth to her first child, Morgan Lee Ketzner.
Beyond his wrestling achievements, Flair has become known for his flamboyant and often controversial persona.
He has made several outrageous claims over the years, including boasting about allegedly sleeping with 15,000 women and consuming 15 drinks a day.
These stories have only added to the larger-than-life image that has defined his public identity, making him not only a wrestling legend but also a pop culture icon known for his excesses both in and out of the ring.
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Ric Flair Now
At 75 years old, Ric Flair remains an enduring figure in professional wrestling, widely considered by peers, fans, and journalists as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Known for his charismatic persona as “The Nature Boy,” Flair’s career has spanned over 50 years across six decades, making him a living legend in the industry.
Even as he approaches his later years, Flair has not completely stepped away from the spotlight.
Recently, he made headlines by rejoining the professional wrestling scene with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
While his return has sparked excitement, Flair clarified that he isn’t necessarily planning for another in-ring performance, although he hasn’t entirely ruled it out.
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In an interview with ESPN, Flair stated, “I’m up for it,” indicating that despite his age, the idea of one more match still appeals to him.
In addition to his renewed involvement with AEW, Flair remains active and connected with his fanbase through social media.
On Instagram, where he has 2.5 million followers, Flair shares daily updates featuring photos and videos that highlight various aspects of his life.
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From reflections on his storied career to moments with family and interactions with fans, Flair continues to engage his audience, showcasing his enduring influence in and out of the wrestling world.
His presence on social media keeps him relevant to both longtime fans and new generations discovering his legacy, proving that “The Nature Boy” is as vibrant as ever, even in his mid-70s.
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Flair’s willingness to stay active both in the wrestling world and on social media underscores his passion for the industry and the larger-than-life persona that has defined him for decades.
While he may not be lacing up his boots regularly anymore, Ric Flair remains an irreplaceable icon whose influence continues to resonate across multiple generations of wrestling fans.
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Ric Flair’s Net Worth
Ric Flair, a retired American professional wrestler and wrestling manager, has built a legendary career that spans over 50 years, but despite his immense influence and fame in the industry, his current net worth is estimated at $500 thousand, reflecting both the highs and lows of his financial journey.
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FAQs
Ric Flair adopted the “Nature Boy” persona in the 1970s as a tribute to Buddy Rogers, the original “Nature Boy.”
The character embodies arrogance, flamboyance, and a luxurious lifestyle, which Flair perfected with his flashy robes, charismatic promos, and iconic “Wooo!” catchphrase.
Ric Flair’s current net worth is estimated to be around $500 thousand.
Ric Flair’s last official match took place on July 31, 2022, in an event titled “Ric Flair’s Last Match,” though he had previously retired in 2011.
Yes, Ric Flair faced significant financial troubles due to failed business ventures, divorces, legal issues, and lavish spending, which contributed to his reduced net worth.
Ric Flair is currently involved in the wrestling scene with AEW and remains active on social media.
He also makes appearances and engages with fans through various events and promotions.
Ric Flair was reportedly released from WWE in 2021 after disagreements over his booking and creative direction.
Ric Flair was placed in a medically induced coma in 2017 due to complications from a ruptured intestine, which led to organ failure. He survived after extensive medical treatment and a lengthy recovery process.