Who Is Nikolai Volkoff? Age, Biography and Wiki
Nikolai Volkoff, born on October 14, 1947, was a Croatian-American professional wrestler who left an indelible mark in the wrestling world before passing away on July 29, 2018. His storied career in the ring and his persona as a villainous Soviet character made him a memorable figure in wrestling history. While his physical presence is no longer felt, his legacy endures, influencing budding wrestlers and fans around the globe. In 2025, Nikolai would have been 77 years old, and his contributions to sports entertainment continue to be celebrated.
| Occupation | Republicans |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1947 |
| Age | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | Split, PR Croatia, FPR Yugoslavia |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Croatia |
| Date of death | 29 July, 2018 |
| Died Place | Glen Arm, Maryland, U.S. |
Popularity
Nikolai Volkoff's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Nikolai Volkoff was known for his imposing stature. During his prime, he stood approximately 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall and weighed around 305 pounds (138 kg). Although his measurements varied throughout his career, his athletic build paired with his wrestling prowess contributed significantly to his captivating presence in the ring.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Nikolai Volkoff was once married to his wife, who shared a life with him during his professional career. After his passing, many fans and friends commemorated him, but specific details about his relationships outside of marriage remain less documented. His legacy as a dedicated family man and husband is cherished by those who knew him best.
Peruzović grew up in the Socialist Republic of Croatia, which was then part of Yugoslavia. His parents were Ivan and Dragica (née Tomašević). His brother is Croatian footballer Luka Peruzović. Despite what he sometimes claimed, his actual middle name was not Nikolai but Hrvoje, and his mother's maiden name was not Volkoff but Tomašević.
These inconsistencies cast doubt on his ethnic background and seem to indicate a Croat ethnicity. His maternal grandfather Ante Tomašević was world champion in the Greco-Roman wrestling style at the turn of the 20th century.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2018, Nikolai Volkoff's estimated net worth was around $1 million. While this figure encompasses his earnings throughout his wrestling career, including appearances in WWE and independent promotions, it is essential to keep in mind that professional wrestlers often have diverse income streams. In 2025, his legacy continues to generate interest, possibly leading to posthumous earnings from merchandise and memorabilia.
Volkoff made a brief cameo on an episode of Shotgun Saturday Night in 1997 where Todd Pettengill discovered him homeless sleeping in a box on the streets of New York City. He also appeared at WrestleMania X-Seven at the Astrodome in Houston in the gimmick battle royal which was won by the Iron Sheik.
On November 30, 2001, he lost to King Kong Bundy at AAWA event in Jersey City, New Jersey. On February 3, 2005, Volkoff was announced as one of the WWE Hall of Fame inductees for the class of 2005. He was inducted on April 2, 2005, by Jim Ross at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.
In 2006, Volkoff took part in the World Wrestling Legends pay-per-view 6:05 The Reunion. Managed by the Iron Sheik, he wrestled a match against Duggan. Before the match, he once again sang the national anthem of the Soviet Union and riled up the crowd.
Volkoff made his first appearance on WWE television in over two years on the August 13, 2007 episode of Raw as a contestant on WWE Idol, a parody of American Idol. Volkoff appeared alongside the Iron Sheik and Howard Finkel, although Volkoff was the only one who sang.
Volkoff sang the Soviet Union national anthem, receiving boos from the crowd (despite being a babyface) and was insulted by judge William Regal, although judges Mick Foley and Maria both praised the performance. In response, Sheik, who was also insulted, went on a tirade until both he and Volkoff were escorted out of the building by security.
Career, Business and Investments
Nikolai Volkoff's career spanned several decades, starting in the late 1960s. He became a household name during the 1980s wrestling boom, particularly known for his classic feuds with American heroes. Additionally, Volkoff was part of several tag teams and held numerous championships, including the WWF World Tag Team Championship.
Aside from wrestling, Volkoff had business interests after his retirement, including a successful foray into acting and appearances in reality TV shows. His investment interests and endeavors may have contributed to his financial stability and legacy in the entertainment industry.
In 1990, Volkoff turned face and defected to America, briefly feuding with Zhukov and newly-heel Iraqi sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter. In 1994, after a hiatus, he returned as a destitute and desperate character, exploited by Ted DiBiase as the first member of his Million Dollar Corporation. He continued to wrestle in various promotions until his death in 2018.
Social Network
Although social media was not a significant part of his wrestling career, Nikolai Volkoff's impact is still celebrated by fans. The wrestling community often creates social media tributes and pays homage to him through platforms like Facebook and Twitter, keeping his spirit alive in discussions around classic wrestling matches and stories from his career.
Education
Details regarding Nikolai Volkoff's formal education are limited, as he primarily entered the wrestling industry rather than pursue a traditional academic path. However, his life experiences and learning on the job in the intensely competitive wrestling world provided him with rich insights that he would later share with fans and fellow wrestlers.
The March 10, 2008, edition of WWE Raw, featured rematches from previous WrestleManias. The Iron Sheik appeared along with Nikolai Volkoff to face off against the U.S. Express in a rematch from the first WrestleMania.
The match never started as Jillian Hall came out to interrupt Volkoff's singing so she could sing Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A.", which the U.S. Express used as their ring entrance music in 1984–85.
On the November 15, 2010, edition of Raw, as part of the "old school" theme, Volkoff appeared with the Iron Sheik, singing the Soviet national anthem before being interrupted by Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov, the latter of whom then sung a duet with Volkoff of the Soviet national anthem.
Afterwards, Volkoff worked for various independent promotions throughout North America. He remained popular on the autograph convention circuit. In June 2013 he threw out the first pitch at a Bowie Baysox baseball game and sang "God Bless America" after the pitch.
In October 2013, he sang the Soviet national anthem at a show in New Jersey, after being introduced by Howard Finkel.
