Who Is Jimmy Snuka? Age, Biography and Wiki
As of 2025, Jimmy Snuka would have been 81 years old if he were still alive. He was born in Suva, Fiji, and later moved to the United States, where he pursued a successful career in professional wrestling. Snuka was well-known for his charismatic persona and was one of the pioneering wrestlers to rise to fame during the 1980s and '90s. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of wrestlers.
| Occupation | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 18, 1943 |
| Age | 73 Years |
| Birth Place | Suva, Fiji |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Fiji |
| Date of death | 15 January, 2017 |
| Died Place | Coral Springs, Florida, U.S. |
Popularity
Jimmy Snuka's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
During his prime, Jimmy Snuka stood at an impressive height of 6 feet and weighed around 250 pounds. His robust physique and athletic build allowed him to execute breathtaking moves that endeared him to fans. While specific body measurements are not widely documented, his stature certainly contributed to his dominating presence in the ring.
In June 1984, Snuka became embroiled in a feud with one of the WWF's top villains, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. In a segment of Piper's Pit, Piper hit Snuka on the left side of his head very close to the temple, with a coconut.
The attack led to a series of grudge matches between the two that were played out over venues across the US throughout the summer of 1984. In late 1984, Snuka entered a rehabilitation facility; the WWF created a storyline in which Piper had broken Snuka's neck by hitting him over the head with a chair.
Tonga Kid, who was billed as Snuka's cousin, continued the feud on Snuka's behalf.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Jimmy Snuka was married twice during his lifetime. He was first married to Sharon Snuka, with whom he had several children. Later, he married his second wife, who was involved in his life during his later years. Snuka had a well-publicized romantic relationship with a number of women in the wrestling industry, but there is no prominent public boyfriend or girlfriend mentioned in his later years.
Snuka was indicted and arrested in September 2015 on third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in relation to the May 1983 death of his girlfriend and mistress, Nancy Argentino, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He pleaded not guilty, but was found unfit to stand trial in June 2016 due to dementia.
Terminally ill with abdominal issues, his charges were dismissed on January 3, 2017, twelve days before his death.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2017, Jimmy Snuka's estimated net worth was around $1 million. This amount reflects his extensive career in professional wrestling, appearances in movies, and various business ventures over the years. Although his financial situation faced challenges due to legal battles and health issues, Snuka’s earnings from wrestling events and merchandise significantly contributed to his wealth.
Snuka re-emerged in the WWF at WrestleMania V on April 2, 1989. He made his televised return to action on the May 27 episode of Saturday Night's Main Event XXI, defeating Boris Zhukov. After a brief feud with the Honky Tonk Man, Snuka made his in-ring pay-per-view debut at SummerSlam against "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase.
Snuka lost the match by count-out as a result of interference from DiBiase's bodyguard Virgil.
Career, Business and Investments
Jimmy Snuka began his professional wrestling career in the 1970s, where he quickly gained recognition due to his remarkable athleticism. He wrestled for several prominent promotions, including the WWE (then WWF), where he became a fan favorite and earned accolades such as the WWE Hall of Fame induction in 1996.
Aside from wrestling, Snuka made appearances in various television shows and movies, further expanding his career outside the wrestling ring. He also pursued several business ventures related to wrestling, including memorabilia and merchandise sales, helping him maintain a steady income throughout his life.
Snuka opted to go into the more lucrative career of professional wrestling due to the uncertainty of his making a living in bodybuilding. While working at Dean Ho's gym in Hawaii, Snuka met many of the wrestlers who worked in the South Pacific region and decided to try the business.
Snuka made his debut as Jimmy Kealoha fighting Maxwell "Bunny" Butler in Hawaii in 1970. He later moved to the mainland and wrestled for Don Owen’s NWA Pacific Northwest territory where he held the belt as heavyweight champion six times. He first won the title by pinning Bull Ramos on November 16, 1973.
It was in this territory that Reiher transformed himself into Jimmy Snuka. Snuka also held the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship six times with partner Dutch Savage. Snuka also had a two-year feud with another rookie, Jesse "the Body" Ventura.
Social Network
Jimmy Snuka was active on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, where he connected with fans and shared insights into his robust wrestling career. His fan base was extensive, and he often engaged with his followers, sharing memorable experiences from his time in the ring.
By the later part of 1989, Snuka was put into a spot like many veterans before him, being used to help put over other rising stars such as "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig. At the Survivor Series, Snuka and Hennig were each the final remaining members of their teams, with Hennig pinning Snuka to win the match for his team.
In January 1990, Snuka made his Royal Rumble match debut, lasting 17 minutes and eliminating two competitors before being eliminated by the eventual winner, Hulk Hogan. Snuka had his first WrestleMania match at WrestleMania VI, where he was defeated by Rick Rude.
When the Intercontinental Championship was vacated after WrestleMania, Snuka entered the tournament to crown a new champion. He was eliminated in the first round when he once again lost to Mr. Perfect.
At that November's Survivor Series, Snuka joined Jake Roberts and the Rockers in a losing effort against Rick Martel, the Warlord and Power and Glory.
Education
While specific details about Jimmy Snuka’s formal education are sparse, it is known that he honed his wrestling skills through training and practical experience rather than traditional schooling. His dedication to perfecting his craft paid off, leading him to become one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling history.
Snuka was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame class of 1996. Afterward, he competed at the 1996 Survivor Series. Snuka received a lifetime achievement award from WWE at Madison Square Garden on WWE Raw, August 26, 2002.
