When Andre the Giant passed away in January 1993 at just 46 years old, the world lost one of the most recognizable figures in entertainment. Standing at a reported 7’4″ and weighing over 500 pounds, Andre was truly larger than life. What many people don’t know is that his story didn’t end with his death. In the years since, we’ve learned so much more about the gentle giant who captured hearts worldwide. From untold stories to posthumous honors, Andre’s legend has only grown since his passing. What exactly came to light after the final bell rang for one of wrestling’s biggest stars?
His legendary drinking abilities
Stories of Andre’s drinking capabilities reached mythic proportions after his death. Fellow wrestlers and friends shared tales that seemed almost impossible to believe. According to multiple sources, Andre could reportedly drink over 100 beers in a single sitting. He often enjoyed a concoction called “the American” – essentially every liquor bottle behind a bar poured into a beer pitcher. His massive frame required incredible amounts of alcohol to feel any effects, turning ordinary drinking sessions into feats of legend. These weren’t just tall tales but consistent stories from numerous colleagues.
What came to light later was that Andre’s heavy drinking wasn’t just for fun – it served as a way to manage the chronic pain caused by his acromegaly. This medical condition, which caused his gigantism, led to numerous physical ailments and constant discomfort. With limited medical options available to him at the time, Andre used alcohol as a form of self-medication. This added context changed how many viewed his drinking from simple excess to something more complex and sad. His nickname as “the greatest drunk on Earth” came with a heartbreaking backstory that wasn’t fully understood until after his death.
His love for the princess bride role
While wrestling fans knew Andre primarily from the ring, his role as Fezzik in “The Princess Bride” introduced him to an entirely new audience. After his death, it became known just how much this role meant to him personally. According to stories from friends and colleagues, Andre considered Fezzik his favorite role and took great pride in his performance in the film. He would often invite people to watch the movie with him, sometimes multiple times, showing how much joy it brought him to see himself in this beloved character. His enthusiasm for this gentle giant role revealed his desire to be seen as more than just a wrestling attraction.
The film’s director, Rob Reiner, and cast members shared touching stories about working with Andre after his death. They described his kindness on set and how, despite his physical limitations, he put everything into making Fezzik come alive. Unlike wrestling, where his size made him a fearsome opponent, “The Princess Bride” allowed Andre to showcase his gentle nature and sense of humor. The film has since become a classic, ensuring that generations who never saw Andre wrestle still experience his unique presence and charm through this performance.
His strained relationship with his daughter
One of the more personal details that emerged after Andre’s death was about his relationship with his only child, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff. Despite being the main beneficiary in his will, their relationship was complicated and distant. According to stories that came out later, Andre saw his daughter only a handful of times throughout her life. His demanding wrestling schedule kept him on the road constantly, making it nearly impossible to maintain close family bonds. The wrestling lifestyle in those days meant performers were traveling most of the year, with little time for home life.
In the years following his death, Robin became a guardian of her father’s image and legacy. She spoke positively about him in interviews, showing that despite their limited time together, she valued their connection. Andre left her a trust and royalties from the use of his name and likeness, ensuring she would benefit from his enduring popularity. This arrangement has allowed Robin to maintain some connection to the father she barely knew while protecting how his image is used. Thanks to her efforts, Andre’s portrayal in media and merchandising has maintained the dignity befitting a wrestling legend.
Surprising friendships and relationships
After Andre’s passing, stories about his unexpected friendships emerged from fellow entertainers. One of the most surprising was his connection with action star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Their friendship included a famous incident where Andre refused to let Arnold pay for a meal, physically lifting the bodybuilder up and paying the bill himself. This story revealed Andre’s playful nature and generous spirit. Despite their physical differences, the two formed a genuine bond while working together on “Conan the Destroyer,” showing Andre’s ability to connect with people across the entertainment world.
Another relationship that came to light was his connection with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Though Johnson was just beginning his wrestling career when Andre passed away, he referred to the giant as “Uncle Andre” due to family connections in the wrestling world. This personal connection between wrestling royalty across generations showed how deeply Andre was integrated into wrestling families. Additionally, stories emerged about Andre’s complex relationships with other wrestlers, including his dislike of Randy Savage. Andre reportedly couldn’t stand Savage’s use of baby oil during matches because it made it difficult to grapple with him – a practical concern that revealed the real challenges of wrestling at Andre’s size.
His everyday life away from the spotlight
In the years following his death, friends shared stories about Andre’s private life that showed a different side to the wrestling superstar. Despite his celebrity status, Andre enjoyed simple pleasures that many wouldn’t expect. He was an avid card player who particularly loved cribbage, sometimes prioritizing a good game over preparing for wrestling matches. These quiet moments with friends revealed a man who valued connection and normalcy despite his extraordinary circumstances. He also enjoyed watching TV shows and movies, with “Gone with the Wind” reportedly being one of his favorites – a surprisingly romantic choice for someone with such a tough public image.
Andre’s life at his ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina, was filled with everyday activities that helped him feel normal. He enjoyed cooking outdoors, shopping through TV channels like QVC, and playing jokes on his dog. These small details humanized the larger-than-life figure and showed how, despite his fame, he sought the same simple joys as anyone else. After his death, his ashes were scattered at this ranch according to his wishes, bringing his journey full circle to the place where he found peace away from the constant attention his size brought him. The Rankin Museum in Ellerbe later honored him with “A Giant Celebration,” recognizing his impact on the small community he called home.
His struggles with health and pain
Following Andre’s death, a more complete picture emerged about his health struggles and how they affected his life and career. His acromegaly, the condition that caused his extraordinary size, also brought him constant pain and health complications. In his final years, his mobility decreased significantly, and his matches had to be carefully choreographed to accommodate his physical limitations. This context changed how fans viewed his later performances, adding a layer of admiration for his dedication to entertaining despite severe pain. The giant who seemed invincible in the ring was actually fighting a difficult battle with his own body.
Perhaps most tragic was the revelation that Andre had refused medical treatment for his condition, instead relying on alcohol and pain medication to cope. Whether from fear, pride, or resignation to his fate, this decision likely shortened his life significantly. Friends later shared that traveling became increasingly difficult for him in his final months, and public appearances grew rare as his health declined. His death at just 46 years old while in Paris – having traveled there despite his pain to attend his father’s funeral and celebrate his mother’s birthday – showed both the physical toll his condition took and his commitment to family despite their complicated relationships.
Andre the Giant may have left us in 1993, but his story continues to unfold as new details emerge and his influence persists. From his historical significance in wrestling to his unexpected friendships, from his struggles with health to his love of simple pleasures, we now have a more complete picture of the man behind the legend. His legacy reminds us that even the largest figures contain multitudes beyond what we see in the spotlight. For a man once billed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” perhaps the most wonderful discovery has been learning about the very human heart that beat within the giant.
