When people look back at the larger-than-life career of André René Roussimoff—better known to the world as André the Giant—they picture a 7-foot-4-inch, 500-pound icon starring in The Princess Bride or battling Hulk Hogan in front of 93,000 fans at WrestleMania III. Yet behind the global fame and legendary touring schedule, his personal life remains heavily misunderstood. Chief among these misconceptions is the persistent online myth that he was legally married.
The truth involves a private relationship with a woman named Jean Christensen. While public narratives frequently label her as his wife, official records confirm they never tied the knot. Instead, their shared history is defined by a professional intersection in the wrestling industry, a quiet romance, the birth of André's only biological child, Robin, and a complex legal and personal aftermath.
Who Was Jean Christensen?
Jean Christensen entered André's orbit during the formative years of his expansion across North American promotions in the early 1970s. Prior to her involvement with professional wrestling, Christensen worked as a model and later transitioned into public relations and media coordination within the wrestling business.
Because André's handlers and promoters carefully guarded his public image—frequently billing him as a solitary, mythical figure who traveled perpetually without ties—little official documentation regarding his personal relationships was published at the time. Christensen maintained a fiercely private lifestyle, avoiding the tabloid spotlight that consumed many entertainment figures of the era. She wasn't seeking fame; her connection to the wrestling world was purely professional until her path crossed with the industry's most recognizable attraction.
The Truth About Their Relationship and Marriage Status
The most common error found across celebrity biographies is the assertion that Christensen was André the Giant's wife. In reality, they were never legally married. No marriage license, joint household, or formal public ceremony ever existed.
Instead, they shared an intermittent, private romantic relationship during the 1970s. At the time, André's life was dictated by an unrelenting travel schedule managed by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and later the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He spent upwards of 300 days a year on the road, wrestling in different cities almost every night, flying internationally between North America, Japan, and Europe. Maintaining a traditional domestic partnership under those conditions proved virtually impossible.
The Birth of Robin Christensen-Roussimoff
The most significant chapter of Jean Christensen's life tied to the wrestling legend came with the birth of their daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, in 1979.
The pregnancy brought unique complications. Due to his acromegaly—the endocrine disorder that caused his gigantism—André reportedly believed he was sterile. When Christensen informed him that she was expecting his child, initial disbelief caused a rift. Because André initially contested paternity, Christensen pursued legal channels to secure recognition and financial support for their daughter.
Court-ordered paternity tests and blood work eventually confirmed what Christensen had stated from the beginning: Robin was André's biological daughter. Legal agreements were established for child support, beginning at modest monthly amounts before adjusting over time. You can read more about the history of World Wrestling Entertainment and its corporate archives to understand how closely guarded talent contracts and personal lives were during that era.
Father-Daughter Dynamics Out of the Spotlight
Growing up, Robin did not experience a traditional father-daughter upbringing. André's towering physical frame, constant international travel, and physical deterioration from severe back and joint pain created barriers.
By most historical accounts, Robin met her father only a handful of times throughout her childhood—with several of those encounters occurring during legal proceedings or brief backstage visits at wrestling arenas. Despite the distance, accounts from close associates indicate that André cared deeply about his daughter's future. When André the Giant passed away from congestive heart failure in Paris in January 1993 at the age of 46, his final will and testament ensured that the majority of his estate and royalties were left to Robin, securing her financial independence.
Common Misconceptions About Jean Christensen
Internet articles and low-quality biography blogs frequently mix up basic facts regarding Christensen's life. Clarifying these errors separates verified history from digital fabrication:
- The "Wife" Label: As established, they were romantic partners, not husband and wife. No divorce records or marriage certificates exist.
- The Wrestling Career Myth: Some online sources claim Jean Christensen was also a professional wrestler or valet. This is entirely false; her involvement in the industry was restricted to modeling and public relations.
- Public Appearance Spats: Rumors suggesting public feuds or bitter tabloid wars between Christensen and wrestling executives are largely sensationalized fiction. Christensen maintained a quiet life in Washington state, well away from wrestling television cameras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Jean Christensen ever legally married to André the Giant?
No. Despite widespread internet rumors, they never married. They shared a private relationship and had a daughter together, but they remained unmarried.
How many children did André the Giant have?
Robin Christensen-Roussimoff is André's only known biological child.
What happened to Jean Christensen?
Jean Christensen lived a quiet life out of the public eye, primarily in the Pacific Northwest, and passed away in 2008.
Did Robin Christensen-Roussimoff follow her father into wrestling?
While Robin has occasionally worked as a consultant on projects documenting her father's life—including HBO's documentary André the Giant—she did not pursue a career as an active professional wrestler, choosing instead to manage her father's likeness and estate licensing rights.
