Veteran professional wrestler, Dustin Rhodes and his wife, Ta-rel Marie Runnels, form a dynamic duo both in professional wrestling and in their personal lives.
The AEW wrestler has been married twice before his current marriage to Ta-rel Marie Runnels. He has a daughter, Dakota, from his first marriage.
Highlights
- Dustin Rhodes has been married three times and has been married to his current wife, Ta-rel Marie Runnels, since 2012.
- Dustin only has a single child- a daughter, Dakota, from his first marriage to Terri Runnels.
- The AEW wrestler celebrated his 12th wedding anniversary with his wife, Ta-rel, in 2024.
Dustin Rhodes, better known as “The Natural” is a seasoned professional wrestler with a career spanning nearly four decades.
As the son of WWE Hall of Famer, Dusty Rhodes and the half-brother of Cody Rhodes, he has the sport in his genes.
Rhodes has competed in various promotions, including WWE, WCW, and AEW, and is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Additionally, he is a member of The Sons of Texas and holds multiple titles in Ring of Honor (ROH).
Moreover, Dustin’s love and marriage life has been quite public, featuring a vibrant history marked by three marriages.
Dustin’s First Marriage To Terri Runnels Ended In 1994, After Which He Married Milena In 2002
Dustin has been married three times, and his first marriage was to fellow WWF wrestling manager and TV host Terri Runnels.
The couple met while working together in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and developed feelings at work.
When they worked together, their on-screen chemistry as Goldust and Marlena was well-received by fans.
They began dating shortly after and eventually got married in 1993 at a beautiful ceremony in the presence of their loved ones.
In the early years of her career at the WWF, she was her husband’s manager, when Dustin wrestled under the name of Goldust.
The couple welcomed their first-born daughter, Dakota in 1994 after a year of their marriage.
However, their relationship quickly went sour with problems in their marriage because of Dustin’s troubled relationship with his father, Dusty.
Later, Terri reportedly accused the pro wrestler of spreading rumors about her involving infidelity and gold-digging.
The couple officially divorced in 1999 after six years of marriage. Terri was granted the custody of their daughter.
Runnels’ second marriage remained relatively private and away from the public eye. In his autobiography, released in 2010, he mentioned that he had a brief and tumultuous second marriage with a woman he did not name.
They apparently dated for a few months before impulsively getting married at a justice of the peace.
He was referring to Milena Martelloni, a makeup artist, whom he married on December 18, 2002. Their marriage, however, was brief, ending in 2003.
In Addition To Being A Devoted Wife, Ta-rel Is A Successful Professional In The Wrestling World
Dustin and Ta-rel Marie Runnels met through their mutual connections in the wrestling industry and eventually started dating.
They tied the knot on June 22, 2012; however, they do not have any children as of now.
Since the last 12 years, the couple have been each other’s greatest supporters, offering companionship in both their personal and professional lives.
During their 12th wedding anniversary celebration in 2024, Dustin posted images of his wife to Instagram along with a touching message:
Happy Anniversary baby!! You are the glue that holds me together. You have been there through the worst of the worst and the best of the best…I love you like crazy and will promise to take of you forever!
Dustin Rhodes
Ta-rel is the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper; therefore, she has been close to wrestling since a young age.
Currently, she serves as the president and director of Kayfabe Entertainment, which offers management services for entertainers.
Additionally, she is a co-owner of the Rhodes Wrestling Academy, where Dustin mentors aspiring wrestlers.
Over the years, Ta-rel has made a name for herself in the wrestling industry, although she is not a professional wrestler.
Additional Information
- Dustin Rhodes has won 25 total championships in his wrestling career.
- Dustin is a two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Champion, and a two-time WCW World Tag Team Champion.
- Runnels headlined multiple pay-per-view events for WWE (then WWF) and WCW during the 1990s.
