Bruno Sammartino

Date of Birth: October 6, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: April 18, 2018

Biography

Bruno Sammartino, known as “The Living Legend,” was an Italian-American professional wrestler who was noted for his incredible strength and lengthy title reigns in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), now known as WWE. Born in Pizzoferrato, Italy, Sammartino emigrated to the United States with his family in 1950, settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He quickly became a standout in amateur wrestling and weightlifting, setting records in both fields. Sammartino made his professional wrestling debut on December 17, 1959, and rapidly rose to prominence. On May 17, 1963, he won the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Buddy Rogers in just 48 seconds. He held the title for an unprecedented eight years, a record that still stands today. Sammartino lost the title to Ivan Koloff in 1971 but regained it in 1973, holding it for another four years. His popularity stemmed not only from his in-ring prowess but also from his character; he was seen as a hardworking, honest champion, resonating deeply with fans. After retiring from wrestling, Sammartino became a commentator and remained active in the wrestling community, often critical of the industry’s direction but always respected for his contributions.

5 Interesting Facts about Bruno Sammartino

1. Bruno Sammartino held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship for a combined total of over 11 years, longer than any other wrestler in history.

2. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

3. Sammartino once bench-pressed an impressive 565 pounds, showcasing his extraordinary strength.

4. He survived a near-fatal bout with rheumatic fever as a child, which left him bedridden for months.

5. Bruno was a vocal critic of the direction professional wrestling took in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly concerning the increase in steroid use.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bruno Sammartino

1. “I wanted to be remembered as a guy who brought people joy through professional wrestling.”

2. “Professional wrestling is a tough sport, but it’s the fans that keep you going.”

3. “I was always a clean wrestler. I wanted to be a role model for kids.”

4. “Wrestling is not about proving who is the toughest. It’s about entertaining the fans.”

5. “I’m proud of my heritage and proud of what I accomplished in the ring.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Bruno Sammartino’s net worth was estimated to be around $4 million.

Children

Bruno Sammartino had three children: David, Danny, and Darryl. His son David Sammartino followed in his footsteps and pursued a career in professional wrestling.