Richard Fliehr, famously known as Ric Flair, was born on February 25, 1949. He is a retired professional wrestler with numerous belts and titles to his name. Flair is so good that he is regarded as the GOAT of professional wrestling. With a career that spanned four decades, Flair’s journey to success began as an amateur wrestler and has grown to something enviable and quite inspirational too. From amateur competitions to World Championships, Flair is a recognized heavyweight champion. Hence, the reason we are celebrating his special day here!
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Richard Morgan Fliehr
Nickname:
Ric Flair, The Nature Boy
Birth date:
February 25, 1949
Age:
75
Zodiac Sign:
Pisces
Height:
6' 0"
Relationship Status:
Single
Net Worth:
$500 thousand
Background
Richard Fliehr, a.k.a. Ric Flair, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 25, 1949. He is a world-recognized professional wrestler that has taken down many greats. His attitude, skill, and finesse within and outside the ring have won him fans worldwide. This 16-time W.W.E. World Champion was adopted by Richard Reid Fliehr and Kathleen Kinsmiller as an infant, through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Due to the involvement of this orphanage in a baby trafficking scam, Fliehr is uncertain about his birth name. He’s equally unsure about the names of his birth parents. However, by adoption, Flair is a Pisces of English, Dutch, French, German, Scottish, and Welsh descent.
After a brief time at the University of Minnesota, Fliehr went to wrestling camp. As a teen, he was a successful amateur wrestler. At the beginning of his professional career, he trained with Verne Gagne, and made his professional wrestling debut on December 10, 1972, at 23 years old. He adopted ‘Ric Flair’ in this fight against George Gadaski, a.k.a. “Scrap Iron.” As a part of the American Wrestling Association, Flair fought the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Larry Hennig, Chris Taylor, and several more professional wrestlers before his international wrestling debut in 1973 in Japan. He became the ‘Nature Boy’ in 1976 after injuries from a plane crash forced him to change his wrestling technique. This didn’t deter Flair, and in 1977, he defeated Bobo Brazil, winning the N.W.A. U.S Heavyweight Championship. He held this title for three years, with a five-time reign. His first Heavyweight Championship came after his defeat of Dusty Rhodes in September 1981.
In his four-decade career, Fliehr advanced to win seven more N.W.A. World Heavyweight Championships, six W.C.W. World Heavyweight Championships, and two W.W.F. Championships. He is a 21-time champion and the first W.C.W. World Heavyweight Champion. He has headlined Wrestlemania, and Starrcade, and is P.W.I.s six-time Wrestler of the Year. Fliehr’s career is subliminal, and his success is monumental. Although very successful in the ring, Fliehr hasn’t had success in marriage. He has been married five times and has four children. His most recent marriage was to Wendy Barlow in 2018. However, he announced his separation from Barlow in January 2022.
Career timeline
Fliehr adopts the alias, ‘Ric Flair’ at his Rice Lake, Wisconsin debut.
Fliehr debuts in Japan with the I.W.E. and competes in the Big Summer Series against Japanese wrestlers.
Fliehr bags the N.W.A. Heavyweight Championship after defeating Bobo Brazil in Virginia.
Fliehr defeats Dusty Rhodes for this title.
The W.W.E. Hall of Fame inducts Fliehr for the first time, and then a second time in 2012 as a member of “The Four Horsemen.”
Why We Love Ric Flair
He was a great wrestler
Fliehr has competed against some of the greatest wrestlers of all time in his career. He was phenomenal and had signature moves too.
He’s a great role model
Wrestlers and fans idolize Fliehr. His career is inspirational, and he’s also a good role model for up-and-coming wrestlers.
He contributed to charity
Fliehr has raised money for different causes in his lifetime. He’s a giver and we appreciate this side of him.
5 Surprising Facts
He wanted to quit
Fliehr tried quitting professional wrestling after two days at camp.
He survived a plane crash
Fliehr had a brush with death in 1975 when he was involved in a North Carolina plane crash, which claimed the pilot’s life.
He’s been struck by lightning
Fliehr has a flair for cheating death, and he did it again — after getting off a plane, Flair recounts that lightning struck his umbrella top, bounced off, and struck a guy behind him, killing him instantly.
His wrestling robes are pricey
Fliehr revealed that he spent upwards of $10,000 on customized wrestling robes that weighed 50 pounds.
His body count is over 10,000
Fliehr certainly has a flair for the ladies and he claims to have slept with more than 10,000 women, which many find unlikely.
Ric Flair FAQs
How old was Fliehr at his last match?
He was 62 years old during his final match.
Who was Fliehr’s favorite opponent?
Flair credits Dusty Rhodes, a.k.a. “The American Dream,” as his favorite opponent.
Did Fliehr win his final match?
In the final match of his four-decade career, Fliehr wrestled Sting but failed to win.
Ric Flair’s birthday dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | February 25 | Tuesday |
2026 | February 25 | Wednesday |
2027 | February 25 | Thursday |
2028 | February 25 | Friday |
2029 | February 25 | Sunday |