Who Is The Sheik (wrestler)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on June 7, 1926, The Sheik, whose real name was Edward Farhat, was a pivotal figure in the world of professional wrestling. He gained fame for his unique character, captivating audiences with his fierce persona and unmatched charisma. His career spanned several decades, culminating in his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, shortly before his passing in 2003. In 2025, The Sheik's legacy continues to inspire a new generation of wrestlers, fans, and promoters.
| Occupation | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 7, 1926 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 18 January, 2003 |
| Died Place | Williamston, Michigan, U.S. |
Popularity
The Sheik (wrestler)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
The Sheik stood at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm) and had a weight of approximately 240 lbs (109 kg) during his wrestling career. His physical stature contributed to his intimidating presence in the ring, making him a formidable opponent in various wrestling promotions. Although specific measurements such as his chest and waist size are not widely documented, his build reflected the athleticism and strength expected of a top-tier professional wrestler.
In 1965, The Sheik made his return to the New York City area, competing for the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). On September 25, 1967, he wrestled former world champion Édouard Carpentier to a 20-minute draw. In 1968, he was back brought into the WWWF for title matches with then-WWWF World Heavyweight champion Bruno Sammartino.
They met three times in Madison Square Garden – Sheik won the first match via count out on October 28, he lost via disqualification in the second match on November 18, and he lost to Sammartino in a Texas Death Match via submission on December 9, when Bruno grabbed a pen and attacked Sheik's arm until it was bloody.
Sammartino and Sheik also had a series of matches in Boston in January and February 1969, including one on a sold-out event the day after a major snow storm; public transportation had yet to be restored in the Boston area but the event still sold-out. The two would later fight in three steel cage matches, one in Philadelphia and two in Boston.
On November 18, 1972, The Sheik competed in his final match for the WWWF, losing to WWWF Champion Pedro Morales by count out at Boston Garden.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
The Sheik was married to his beloved wife, Lila, for many years until his passing. They had a close-knit family and together raised several children who have continued his legacy in one form or another. Throughout his life, The Sheik's personal relationships were marked by loyalty and dedication, both on and off-screen.
By the early 1960s, The Sheik's wrestling was centered on his character of an Arab wild man from Syria. Clad with his keffiyeh, before each match, he would use stalling tactics as he would kneel on a prayer rug to perform an Islamic prayer to Allah (in real life Farhat was a Maronite Christian).
He would lock on choke holds and refuse to break them, and use a camel clutch hold leading to submission victories. The hold would have him sit over his opponent's back as he applied a chinlock. He used hidden pencils and other "foreign objects" to cut open his opponent's faces.
Often, the tactic backfired and the opponent got hold of The Sheik's pencil, leading to the extensive blade scars on Farhat's forehead. Sheik's other signature illegal move was his fireball that he threw into his opponents' faces, sometimes burning their faces severely.
The fireball move was performed through the use of lighter fluid soaked pieces of paper which he quickly lit with a cigarette lighter hidden in his trunks. The Sheik didn't speak on camera, apart from incomprehensible mutterings and pseudo-Arabic. The American born child of Lebanese immigrants in fact never learned Arabic.
At the start of his career, his wife Joyce played the part of his valet Princess Saleema who would burn incense in the ring.
Joyce would go on to play Princess Saleema for many years and, as a result of his gimmick requiring him not to not know the English language, also frequently accompany The Sheik to autograph signings, where she would speak to the fans on The Sheik's behalf and provide the autograph signatures.
He had three different male managers during his career to cut promos on his behalf. His first manager was Abdullah Farouk but when Farouk moved full-time to the World Wide Wrestling Federation, Eddy Creatchman became his manager.
When Creatchman was unable to work with him later in his career, The Sheik was managed by Supermouth Dave Drason, his final manager.
Net Worth and Salary
Before his death in 2003, The Sheik's estimated net worth was around $500,000, reflecting his illustrious career in wrestling, where he earned a significant income through matches, merchandise, and appearances. His earnings during the peak of his career were considerable, especially considering his drawing power in various promotions and territories. Today, his legacy and brand continue to generate interest, contributing further to his family's financial stability.
Career, Business and Investments
The Sheik's wrestling career began in the early 1950s and lasted until the late 1980s. He was known for his innovative promotional strategies and was a key figure in developing the wrestling territories in the United States. He also ventured into promoting wrestling events himself and owned a wrestling promotion in Detroit.
In addition to wrestling, The Sheik explored various business opportunities, including merchandise sales featuring his iconic look, which remained popular with fans long after his retirement. His investments in real estate and other businesses diversified his income streams, ensuring a well-rounded financial portfolio.
Edward George Farhat (June 7, 1926 – January 18, 2003) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name The Sheik. In wrestling, Farhat, whose career debuted in 1947, is credited as one of the originators of the hardcore style, is also retroactively called The Original Sheik, mostly to distinguish him from the similarly-named The Iron Sheik who debuted in 1972.
Social Network
Although The Sheik passed away in 2003, his legacy continues to thrive on social media through dedicated fan pages and wrestling forums. His family and fans actively commemorate his contributions to the industry via platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where they share nostalgic memories, photos, and tributes to a man whose influence is still felt today.
The Sheik's biggest feud was his nearly career-long conflict with Bobo Brazil, beginning in The Sheik's own Big Time Wrestling promotion in Detroit before expanding throughout the country. The two feuded over Sheik's version of the United States Championship, frequently selling out Cobo Hall.
The feud was briefly covered in the wrestling mockumentary movie, I Like to Hurt People. Following their success at Cobo Hall, the two took the feud to several markets, most notably Memphis, Tennessee, and Los Angeles, California. His other major opponent in Los Angeles was Fred Blassie.
Sheik and Blassie faced off several times, including cage matches in the Grand Olympic Auditorium. In 1967, The Sheik was wrestling a match in Texas when a fan pulled a gun and tried to shoot him three times. Fortunately, the gun didn't go off and the fan was arrested; the gun later fired when police tested it at a shooting range.
Education
The Sheik's formal education details are relatively sparse; however, his education in the world of wrestling and self-promotion shaped his career. His experiences in the rough-and-tumble world of professional wrestling served as a practical education, teaching him the intricacies of the industry, crowd engagement, and the importance of branding. As such, The Sheik remains a beloved figure not only for his in-ring performances but also for his contributions to the growth of professional wrestling.
He was one of eleven children; unlike most of his older brothers, Edward did not attend college, though some sources erroneously report that he did. The confusion is likely the result of his similarly named older brother Edmund having attended college. Edward quit school in the eighth grade and worked odd jobs during the Great Depression.
His family would find jobs in Michigan metal foundries and auto plants.
