Who Is Verne Gagne? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Verne Gagne was born on February 26, 1926, and passed away in 2015 at the age of 89. Renowned as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Gagne’s influence in the wrestling world was profound. He was not just a talented athlete but also a promoter and a trainer, responsible for launching the careers of many wrestling legends. Gagne's career spanned several decades, leaving an indelible mark in both amateur and professional wrestling.
| Occupation | Football Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 26, 1926 |
| Age | 89 Years |
| Birth Place | Corcoran, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 27 April, 2015 |
| Died Place | Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. |
Popularity
Verne Gagne's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 240 pounds (109 kg)
- Body Stats: Gagne maintained a remarkably athletic physique, which contributed greatly to his wrestling prowess. His combination of strength, speed, and technical skill made him a formidable opponent in the ring.
On January 26, 2009, Gagne got into an altercation with Helmut Gutmann, a 97-year-old resident of the Bloomington, Minnesota nursing care facility where they both resided. According to Gutmann's widow, who was not present during the altercation, Gagne picked Gutmann up and threw him to the floor, then broke his hip by pulling back on his body.
"'The attack happened quickly while the men were at a table', Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts said. 'It was more like "a push and a shove" and it caused Gutmann to fall.'" Neither man had any recollection of the incident. Gutmann was admitted to the hospital, and died on February 14 from complications of the injury.
On February 25, 2009, the older man's death was officially ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County medical examiner's office.
On March 12, 2009, the Hennepin County Prosecutor's office officially announced that Gagne would not be criminally charged as a result of the death as, because of Gagne's dementia, he lacked the mental capacity necessary to be criminally culpable.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Verne Gagne was married to his wife, Mary, for many years, and they had a close-knit family, including several children. Although Gagne passed away in 2015, his legacy continues through his family, who remember him not only as a wrestling icon but as a devoted husband and father. Throughout his life, Gagne's personal relationships were characterized by loyalty and dedication, highlighting the man behind the athlete.
He left home at the age of 14 after his mother died. He attended Robbinsdale High School, where he went on to win the state championship for high school wrestling in 1942 and 1943. In 1943, he was recruited to play football at the University of Minnesota as defensive end and tight end, while also continuing wrestling.
As a freshman, Gagne won the Big Ten 175 pound wrestling title in 1944 after returning from duty in the Marine Corps.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2015, Verne Gagne had an estimated net worth of around $10 million. His wealth was accumulated through his successful wrestling career, entrepreneurial ventures, and contributions to the wrestling promotion industry. Gagne was not just an in-ring performer; he was also a savvy businessman who capitalized on his fame.
Career, Business, and Investments
Verne Gagne began his career in professional wrestling during the 1940s and quickly made a name for himself, earning multiple championship titles. He founded the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1960, which became one of the leading wrestling promotions in the United States. Gagne's keen business acumen allowed him to innovate wrestling presentation, drawing significant audiences, and giving rise to future stars.
Additionally, Gagne was known for his investments in real estate and businesses related to fitness and athletics, ensuring his financial legacy extended beyond his wrestling career. He contributed to training the new generation of wrestlers and maintained a significant presence in the industry until his passing.
Laverne Clarence "Verne" Gagne (February 26, 1926 – April 27, 2015) was an American amateur and professional wrestler, football player, wrestling trainer and wrestling promoter. He was the owner and promoter of the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association (AWA), the predominant promotion throughout the Midwest and Manitoba for many years.
He remained in this position until 1991, when the company folded.
Social Network
Verne Gagne was notably private, but his impact was felt widely in social networks across wrestling fandom. His legacy is honored by wrestling organizations and is a topic of discussion in various wrestling communities online. Fans remember him through social media platforms, wrestling forums, and tribute pages, ensuring his contributions to the sport are celebrated even years after his passing.
In 1960, Gagne formed his own promotion, the American Wrestling Alliance (later it became Association). Before this, the Minneapolis territory was under the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) umbrella.
Setting up to pull away from the NWA, the Minneapolis territory (as it was known), gave a "story-line only" edict to the NWA in May 1960 that unless their NWA World Champion Pat O'Connor defended his title against Verne Gagne with 90 days, Verne Gagne would become recognized World Champion by default.
There was never any intention of such a match taking place. At the end of the 90 day period, the AWA was formed in August 1960 and it was announced that because NWA champion Pat O'Connor failed to meet Gagne, that the AWA recognized Gagne as the first AWA World Champion.
Education
Gagne attended the University of Minnesota, where he excelled in both football and wrestling. He was an All-American wrestler and played football for the Golden Gophers, showcasing his athletic talents in multiple disciplines. His education not only enhanced his skills as an athlete but also prepared him for future endeavors in wrestling promotion and training.
The next year, he returned to the championships but had moved up a class, to heavyweight. In the final, he met future NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dick Hutton, the two-time defending national champion in the division. The showdown ended in a 1–1 tie, but Gagne was awarded the win because he controlled Hutton for longer periods of the match.
