Childhood and Education Journey of Ric Flair in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Ric Flair. A timeline of key moments.

Ric Flair, born Richard Morgan Fliehr, is a highly celebrated and now retired American professional wrestler. He's broadly recognized as one of wrestling's all-time greats, with a career that extended for half a century. Flair achieved significant success and acclaim in the professional wrestling world.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1918: Birth of Adoptive Parents

In 1918, both of Ric Flair's adoptive parents, Kathleen Kinsmiller Fliehr and Richard Reid Fliehr, were born.

February 25, 1949: Ric Flair's Birth

On February 25, 1949, Richard Morgan Fliehr, later known as Ric Flair, was born in Memphis, Tennessee.

Others born on this day/year

1950: Early Life

In 1950, during the early part of his life, Richard Morgan Fliehr, later known as Ric Flair, was alive, experiencing the formative years of his childhood.

1969: Teenage Years

In 1969, Richard Morgan Fliehr, known as Ric Flair, was in his late teens experiencing regular teenage activities.

August 28, 1971: Marriage to Leslie Goodman

On August 28, 1971, Ric Flair married his first wife, Leslie Goodman. They later had two children before divorcing in 1983.

1971: Wrestling Training

In the winter of 1971, Ric Flair trained as a professional wrestler with Verne Gagne at his first wrestling camp outside Minneapolis.

October 4, 1975: Near-Fatal Plane Crash

On October 4, 1975, Ric Flair was involved in a serious plane crash in Wilmington, North Carolina, that nearly ended his career due to a broken back. Doctors initially told him he would never wrestle again.

August 27, 1983: Marriage to Elizabeth Harrell

On August 27, 1983, Ric Flair married his second wife, Elizabeth Harrell. Jim Crockett Jr. served as the best man for the wedding. They had two children and later divorced in 2006.

August 1991: Flair signs with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF)

In August 1991, Ric Flair signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), marking a new chapter in his career.

February 11, 1993: Flair makes his last appearance with the WWF

On February 11, 1993, Ric Flair made his last appearance with the WWF before returning to WCW, fulfilling his remaining house show commitments and participating in the WWF's "Winter Tour '93" of Europe.

February 1993: Flair triumphantly returns to WCW

In February 1993, Ric Flair returned to WCW as a hero, hosting a talk show called A Flair for the Gold due to a "no-compete" clause.

September 1993: WCW leaves the NWA

In September 1993, WCW left the NWA, during Flair's tenth reign as NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

1999: David Flair in WCW

From 1999 to 2001, Ric Flair's elder son, David Flair, worked for WCW as a professional wrestler.

2000: Exploration of Gubernatorial Run

In 2000, Ric Flair explored the possibility of running for governor of North Carolina, but he never filed the papers. Jesse Ventura stated that he urged Flair not to run, after Flair mentioned he'd received 143 speeding tickets.

2000: Death of Adoptive Father

In 2000, Richard Reid Fliehr, Ric Flair's adoptive father, passed away.

2001: David Flair in WCW

From 1999 to 2001, Ric Flair's elder son, David Flair, worked for WCW as a professional wrestler.

2002: David Flair in WWF

In 2002, Ric Flair's elder son, David Flair, made two televised appearances in the WWF during the run-up to WrestleMania X8.

2003: Death of Adoptive Mother

In 2003, Kathleen Kinsmiller Fliehr, Ric Flair's adoptive mother, passed away.

2004: Ric Flair becomes a Grandfather

In 2004, Ric Flair became a grandfather at the age of 55, when his older daughter, Megan Fliehr Ketzner, gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Morgan Lee Ketzner, on May 9.

December 2005: Arrest Warrants Issued After Road Rage Incident

In December 2005, arrest warrants were issued for Ric Flair after a road rage incident in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was charged with injury to personal property and simple assault and battery after allegedly grabbing a motorist by the neck and damaging his vehicle. The wrestler Edge later ridiculed the incident on WWE programming.

May 27, 2006: Marriage to Tiffany VanDemark

On May 27, 2006, Ric Flair married his third wife, Tiffany VanDemark. Tiffany filed for divorce from Flair in 2008.

September 2007: Ric Flair Finance Opens

In September 2007, Ric Flair opened a financial business called Ric Flair Finance.

2007: Reid Flair Signs with WWE

Near the end of 2007, Ric Flair's younger son Reid Flair signed a developmental contract with WWE.

March 31, 2008: Farewell Address on Raw

On March 31, 2008, Ric Flair delivered his farewell address on Raw. Many current and retired superstars came out to thank Flair, including Shawn Michaels, The Four Horsemen, Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, and Vince McMahon.

July 2008: Ric Flair Finance Files for Bankruptcy

In July 2008, Ric Flair Finance, the financial business opened by Flair in 2007, filed for bankruptcy.

2008: Tiffany Files for Divorce

In 2008, Tiffany VanDemark, Ric Flair's third wife, filed for divorce from him. The divorce was finalized in 2009.

2008: Support for Mike Huckabee

In the 2008 presidential election, Ric Flair declared his support for the Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.

November 11, 2009: Marriage to Jacqueline "Jackie" Beems

On November 11, 2009, Ric Flair married his fourth wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Beems, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Flair filed for divorce from Beems in 2012.

2010: ROH Lawsuit

Following Flair's debut in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), his former employer, Ring of Honor (ROH), filed a lawsuit in 2010, alleging that Flair owed them over $40,000 and that he had not appeared at several events that he was contractually obligated to appear at. The lawsuit was never resolved.

May 2011: Warrant Issued for Contempt of Court

In May 2011, a warrant for Ric Flair's arrest was issued for being held in contempt of court for violating the terms of his settlement with Highspots Inc., who claimed Flair had given them the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt as collateral for a loan. If Flair had failed to comply, he could have potentially faced 90 days in jail.

May 17, 2012: Ashley Flair Signs with WWE

On May 17, 2012, it was reported that Ric Flair's daughter Ashley had signed with WWE, adopting the ring name Charlotte, which was later changed to include the Flair surname.

December 3, 2012: Announces Retirement

On December 3, 2012, Ric Flair announced in an interview that he would never wrestle again, owing chiefly to an on-air heart attack suffered by Jerry Lawler.

2012: Filing for Divorce from Jacqueline Beems

In 2012, Ric Flair filed for divorce from his fourth wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Beems. The divorce was finalized in 2014.

March 29, 2013: Death of Reid Flair

On March 29, 2013, Ric Flair's son Reid died from a drug overdose of heroin, Xanax, and a muscle relaxant.

2014: Divorce from Jacqueline Beems Finalized

In 2014, Ric Flair's divorce from his fourth wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Beems, was finalized after Flair filed in 2012.

2016: Presidential Run Announcement

In 2016, Ric Flair announced that he was running for president, with rapper Waka Flocka Flame as his running mate. However, he did not file a Statement of Candidacy.

2016: Endorsement of Ted Cruz

In 2016, Ric Flair endorsed Ted Cruz during the presidential election.

August 14, 2017: Surgery for Bowel Obstruction

On August 14, 2017, Ric Flair underwent surgery in Georgia to remove an obstructive piece of his bowel. The surgery led to complications, including kidney failure, requiring dialysis and hospitalization. He was discharged from rehabilitation on September 21.

September 12, 2018: Wedding Ceremony with Wendy Barlow

On September 12, 2018, Ric Flair had a non-legally binding wedding ceremony with Wendy Barlow at a resort in Florida. They later revealed they were never legally married.

February 25, 2019: 70th Birthday Celebration

On February 25, 2019, WWE celebrated Ric Flair's 70th birthday on Raw. During the closing moments, Flair was attacked by Batista.

January 2022: Disclosure of Non-Legal Marriage

In January 2022, Ric Flair and Wendy Barlow revealed to People that they were never legally married, despite having a wedding ceremony in 2018.

January 31, 2022: Separation from Wendy Barlow

On January 31, 2022, Ric Flair announced that he and Wendy Barlow had separated.

May 2022: Reconciliation with Wendy Barlow

In May 2022, Ric Flair and Wendy Barlow reconciled after announcing their separation earlier in the year.

May 16, 2022: Announcement of Final Match

On May 16, 2022, it was announced that Ric Flair would wrestle his final match on July 31 in Nashville, called Ric Flair's Last Match.

July 2022: Launch of Wooooo! Wings

In July 2022, Ric Flair launched a virtual restaurant chain named "Wooooo! Wings" in Nashville, Tennessee, in partnership with Kitchen Data Systems, ahead of Ric Flair's Last Match. The chain's name is based on Flair's signature exclamation.

July 31, 2022: Heart Attack During Final Match

On July 31, 2022, Ric Flair suffered a heart attack during his final wrestling match.

August 2022: Expansion of Wooooo! Wings

In August 2022, the virtual restaurant chain "Wooooo! Wings", launched by Ric Flair in July, expanded to six American cities. Conrad Thompson handled the launch and expansion.

October 2022: Launch of Ric Flair Drip

In October 2022, Ric Flair partnered with Mike Tyson and Verano Holdings Corp. to launch his own cannabis line called the "Ric Flair Drip" under Tyson's cannabis brand "Tyson 2.0". The line launched in Arizona, Nevada, and California.