André the Giant was born in Coulommiers, France, to Boris and Mariann Roussimoff, a couple of Bulgarian and Polish ancestry. source
André the Giant was born in Coulommiers, France, to Boris and Mariann Roussimoff, a couple of Bulgarian and Polish ancestry.
André the Giant nickname growing up was "Dédé". source
André the Giant nickname growing up was "Dédé".
André the Giant built a cottage for himself with the help of André's father Boris Roussimoff. source
André the Giant built a cottage for himself with the help of André's father Boris Roussimoff.
André the Giant was a good student, particularly in mathematics. source
André the Giant was a good student, particularly in mathematics.
André the Giant dropped out after the eighth grade since he did not think having a high school education was necessary for a farm laborer. source
André the Giant dropped out after the eighth grade since he did not think having a high school education was necessary for a farm laborer.
At age 17, André the Giant moved to Paris and was taught professional wrestling by a local promoter who recognized the earning potential of Roussimoff's size. source
At age 17, André the Giant moved to Paris and was taught professional wrestling by a local promoter who recognized the earning potential of Roussimoff's size.
André the Giant trained at night and worked as a mover during the day to pay living expenses. source
André the Giant trained at night and worked as a mover during the day to pay living expenses.
André the Giant was billed as "Géant Ferré", a name based on the French folk hero Grand Ferré, and began wrestling in Paris and nearby areas. source
André the Giant was billed as "Géant Ferré", a name based on the French folk hero Grand Ferré, and began wrestling in Paris and nearby areas.
Canadian promoter and wrestler Frank Valois met André the Giant in 1966, becoming his business manager and adviser. source
Canadian promoter and wrestler Frank Valois met André the Giant in 1966, becoming his business manager and adviser.
André the Giant began making a name for himself wrestling in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. source
André the Giant began making a name for himself wrestling in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa.
André the Giant made his Japanese debut in 1970, billed as "Monster Roussimoff", wrestling for the International Wrestling Enterprise. source
André the Giant made his Japanese debut in 1970, billed as "Monster Roussimoff", wrestling for the International Wrestling Enterprise.
On March 26, 1973,André the Giant debuted in the World Wide Wrestling Federation as a fan favorite, defeating Buddy Wolfe in New York's Madison Square Garden. source
On March 26, 1973,André the Giant debuted in the World Wide Wrestling Federation as a fan favorite, defeating Buddy Wolfe in New York's Madison Square Garden.
André the Giant was one of professional wrestling's most beloved "babyfaces" throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. source
André the Giant was one of professional wrestling's most beloved "babyfaces" throughout the 1970s and early 1980s.
André the Giant agreed to turn heel in early 1987 to be the counter to the biggest "babyface" in professional wrestling at that time, Hulk Hogan. source
André the Giant agreed to turn heel in early 1987 to be the counter to the biggest "babyface" in professional wrestling at that time, Hulk Hogan.
André the Giant next major feud was against Jake "The Snake" Roberts. source
André the Giant next major feud was against Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
Andre returned in the winter of 1990, but it was not to the World Wrestling Federation. source
Andre returned in the winter of 1990, but it was not to the World Wrestling Federation.
