Who Is Giant Baba? Age, Biography and Wiki
Giant Baba, born on January 23, 1938, was one of the most significant figures in the world of professional wrestling. Even years after his passing in 1999, his legacy continues to influence both fans and wrestlers alike. Known for his towering presence and unique wrestling style, Baba's impact on the wrestling industry is still celebrated today. He was not just a wrestler but also a promoter, founder of the All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and a beloved cultural icon in Japan.
| Occupation | Baseball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 23, 1938 |
| Age | 61 Years |
| Birth Place | Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, Empire of Japan |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Japan |
| Date of death | 31 January, 1999 |
| Died Place | Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan |
Popularity
Giant Baba's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Giant Baba stood at an impressive height of 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm) and weighed a formidable 276 pounds (125 kg) during his wrestling career. His large stature not only contributed to his wrestling persona but also made him a memorable presence in the ring. Throughout his career, Baba's physique was a testament to his dedication to the sport.
After leaving JWA, Baba and Inoki formed their own promotions. Rikidōzan's two sons followed Baba to his new promotion and helped co-found it. Baba's All Japan Pro Wrestling debuted in October 1972, backed by Nippon Television.
AJPW established the PWF Heavyweight Championship and Giant Baba as its top star, with Baba winning the Championship in 1973 and holding it for 1920 days, making 38 successful defences before losing to Tor Kamata in 1978.
Baba won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship from Jack Brisco ending Brisco's year and a half run as champion on December 2, 1974. A week later he dropped the title back to Brisco.
Baba would regain the PWF Heavyweight Championship in America from Abdullah The Butcher in 1979, making another 13 successful defences before dropping the title to Harley Race in 1982. Baba would go on to hold the title four times for a total of 3,847 days, or just over ten years.
Baba's runs with the title made him synonymous with it, and promoted him to a new level of stardom in Japan. Between his debut in 1960 and April 1984, Baba wrestled 3,000 consecutive matches and did not miss a single booking, only breaking the cycle after he suffered a minor neck injury.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Giant Baba was married to his long-time partner, Motoko Baba, who played a crucial role in his life and career. Their relationship was a reflection of mutual support and love, with Motoko becoming a significant figure in the wrestling business, especially after Baba’s passing. As of 2025, details regarding any potential relationships beyond his marriage remain undisclosed, as he has consistently been remembered for his dedication to his family and career.
On September 16, 1971, he married Motoko Kawai (born January 2, 1940; often called "Mrs. Baba") in Hawaii, a place Baba enjoyed and regularly visited. Knowledge of their wedding was not widely publicized until almost ten years later, when they announced it at a press conference. A ceremony was held in 1983.
Baba and his wife had no children fearing the child could also suffer from gigantism. Baba and his wife instead developed a close relationship with Baba's student Atsushi Onita who Baba considered like his own child; Baba and Motoko considered adopting Onita at one point. Onita has said "I learned the most important things as a human being from Mr.
Baba". Motoko died on April 14, 2018, from cirrhosis of the liver; she was 78 years old.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Giant Baba had an estimated net worth in the range of several million dollars, primarily generated from his successful wrestling career, promotion, and business ventures. In the context of 2025, many speculate that Baba's legacy continues to generate income through merchandise sales, documentaries, and adaptations of his life story, although his exact net worth today is difficult to ascertain due to the passage of time and various economic factors.
Career, Business and Investments
Giant Baba's wrestling career began in the 1950s, and over the years, he became known for his unique wrestling style and ability to connect with fans. After retiring from in-ring competition, he transitioned into a promoter and founded All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972. Under his leadership, AJPW became one of the most prominent wrestling promotions in Japan. Baba also made strategic investments in various ventures, ensuring the growth of his brand and influence in the wrestling world.
Shohei Baba (馬場 正平), best known by his ring name Giant Baba (ジャイアント馬場), was a Japanese professional wrestler, promoter, and professional baseball player.
He is best known as a co-founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), a promotion he founded in 1972 along with Mitsuo Momota and Yoshihiro Momota, the sons of his mentor Rikidōzan.
For the first 10 years of its existence, Baba was the top star of All Japan, while also serving as the booker, promoter, head trainer and president of the promotion from its inception in 1972 till his death in 1999.
Baba was also responsible for recruiting much of the talent for All Japan, and was the public face of the promotion for much of his lifetime.
Social Network
Though Giant Baba was not part of the digital age and did not have social media accounts, his legacy is maintained by fans and wrestling organizations across platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Tributes to his work and influence and discussions about his impact in professional wrestling can be found across social networks, with dedicated fan accounts sharing memories and memorabilia related to his illustrious career.
While continuing to be the promotion's top star, Baba also put a focus on using foreign wrestlers, inviting the likes of Dory Funk, Bruiser Brody, Abdullah The Butcher and Stan Hansen to compete for All Japan from the very beginning.
Baba also focused heavily on training the next generation of wrestlers, particularly Jumbo Tsuruta, who was his first student after forming AJPW, and Atsushi Onita, with whom Baba formed an almost parent-like bond.
Education
Giant Baba's education background is less documented, but his wrestling journey began when he was a youth who started training under the guidance of seasoned wrestlers. His natural talent and hard work paid off, leading him to become a iconic personality in the sport. His wrestling education continued throughout his career as he learned various styles and techniques, which contributed to his success both in the ring and as a promoter.
In conclusion, Giant Baba’s legacy in 2025 remains strong, with his contributions to professional wrestling continuing to be celebrated. His life story, marked by resilience and passion, has left an indelible mark in the hearts of wrestling fans worldwide.
Little is known about Baba's life outside the ring. A reserved and private man, he did not drink or carouse with other wrestlers after shows. Baba was highly respected by foreign wrestlers, as he always made sure that they travelled first class and stayed in the best hotels, and paid for all of their beer and food.
Although not a heavy or frequent drinker, Baba was known to have an incredible tolerance for alcohol and consume it for hours without showing any effects. He was a heavy smoker who preferred cigars, but quit after his friend Gyutsu Matsuyama, another heavy smoker, was hospitalised with stomach cancer.
