Bret Hart: The Life And Legacy Of A Wrestling Legend

What's the Net Worth of Bret Hart?

Let’s talk about Bret Hart, a true icon in the world of wrestling. With a net worth of $7 million, this retired professional wrestler has left an indelible mark on the sport. Born into the legendary Hart wrestling family, Bret’s career spanned from 1976 to 2011. Known as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, he's won an impressive 32 championships over five decades. That includes five WWF Championships and two WCW World Heavyweight Championships. Since retiring, Bret has focused on giving back, particularly in the areas of cancer and stroke recovery, causes close to his heart.

Early Days and Education

Bret Hart was born on July 2, 1957, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, as the eighth of twelve children to professional wrestler Stu Hart and his wife, Helen. Growing up in a wrestling household, Bret was practically born into the sport. He's of Greek and Irish descent, and interestingly, all seven of his brothers also became professional wrestlers. His early exposure to wrestling came from watching his father train wrestlers in the infamous "Hart Dungeon," the gym in their basement. Even at just four years old, Bret was already involved in his dad’s Stampede Wrestling shows, pulling lucky numbers from a metal box during intermissions.

As a teenager, Bret attended Ernest Manning High School, where he excelled as an amateur wrestler, winning multiple championships in tournaments across Alberta, including the 1974 city championships in Calgary. He continued his wrestling journey at Mount Royal College, where he became a collegiate champion in 1977. However, injuries and fluctuating weight eventually took their toll, and his passion for wrestling began to wane. His academic performance also suffered. Eventually, Bret decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue professional wrestling, starting as a referee for Stampede Wrestling before making his in-ring debut in 1978.

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World Wrestling Federation: The 80s and 90s

In 1985, Bret teamed up with his brother-in-law Jim Neidhart to form the notorious tag team, the Hart Foundation. Managed by Jimmy Hart, they became a villainous force to be reckoned with, winning the WWF Tag Team Championship twice. Over the years, Bret accumulated numerous titles, including two Intercontinental Championships in 1991 and 1992, and five WWF Championships between 1992 and 1997. But things got dramatic toward the end of his first stint with the WWF. A bitter feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin and a real-life rivalry with WWF owner Vince McMahon culminated in the infamous "Montreal Screwjob" in 1997. During a match against Shawn Michaels, McMahon and certain WWF employees secretly altered the outcome, causing Bret to lose his championship title in an unscripted betrayal. That incident led to his departure from the WWF.

World Championship Wrestling: A New Chapter

After the Montreal Screwjob, Bret found himself at World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he stayed for three years. During his time there, he added to his already impressive collection of titles, winning four WCW United States Heavyweight Championships, two World Heavyweight Championships, and even a World Tag Team Championship with Goldberg. However, a concussion in late 1999 forced him to step away from the ring temporarily. By October 2000, he officially retired from wrestling, but not before leaving his mark on yet another wrestling organization.

Final Wrestling Years

Even after retiring, Bret couldn’t stay away from the ring entirely. He made occasional appearances at independent wrestling events until late 2009, when he came out of retirement to re-sign with WWE. From 2010 to 2011, he made sporadic in-ring appearances, even headlining the 2010 SummerSlam event and winning his final championship. He also took on the role of general manager of Raw, proving that his influence in wrestling extended beyond just being a competitor.

Beyond Wrestling: Media Appearances

Bret’s career wasn’t limited to wrestling. He dabbled in acting, appearing in TV series like "Lonesome Dove: The Series" from 1994 to 1995, where he played Luther Root. In the late '90s, he guest-starred on shows such as "The Adventures of Sinbad," "Big Sound," "MADtv," and "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show." His story was also documented in films like the 1998 documentary "Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows" and the 2010 documentary "Bret Hart: Survival of the Hitman." Not to mention, he’s been a staple in numerous WWF and WWE video games, ensuring his legacy lives on in the digital world.

Personal Life: Love and Health

Bret’s personal life has had its share of ups and downs. In 1982, he married Julie Smadu, and together they had four children: Jade, Dallas, Alexandra, and Blade. They separated in 1998 and divorced in 2002. He remarried Cinzia Rota in 2004, but that marriage ended in divorce in 2007. In 2010, he found love again with Stephanie Washington, who is several decades younger than him.

Health issues have also been a significant part of Bret’s life. In 2002, he suffered a stroke after a bicycle accident, and in 2016, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. These experiences have driven him to get involved with charities focused on stroke recovery and cancer awareness, using his platform to make a difference in the lives of others.

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