The Angle brothers lost their dad to a construction accident when Kurt was only 16.
Highlights
- Kurt Angle’s brother, David Angle, was sentenced to two-and-a-half to ten years in prison for the manslaughter of his wife, Donna Angle, in 2016.
- His father, Dave Angle, passed away in a construction accident when he was 16.
- Kurt won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics despite competing with a broken neck and later became one of the most celebrated wrestlers in WWE.
- Kurt Angle has been married twice and has six children from his two marriages. His first marriage was to Karen Smedley, and his second and current marriage is to Giovanna Yannotti.
Kurt Angle, renowned for his achievements in professional wrestling and as an Olympic gold medalist, was born on December 9, 1968, in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, to parents Dave and Jackie Angle.
He grew up with five siblings: brothers Eric, Johnny, David, and Mark, and sister Le’Anne.
Angle’s Mother, Jackie, Died Of Cancer In 2015
Jackie Angle, born on January 7, 1934, was a dedicated mother who played a significant role in her children’s lives.
She passed away on February 26, 2015, in Pennsylvania. Kurt has often admired his mother, especially her unwavering support throughout his athletic career.
In a heartfelt tribute, he mentioned,
Kurt’s Dad, Dave, Passed Away When He Was 16
Kurt’s father, Dave Angle, was a construction worker who instilled a strong work ethic in his children.
Tragically, he passed away in a construction accident when Kurt was just 16 years old, a loss that profoundly impacted the family.
Kurt has spoken about his father’s influence, noting that he looked up to him as a mentor and aspired to emulate his dedication and strength.
Kurt’s Brother, David, Pled Guilty To Manslaughter Of His Wife, Donna
The Angle family faced further tragedy when Kurt’s brother, David Angle, was involved in a legal case concerning the death of his wife, which occurred on September 20, 2015.
He was accused of killing his wife, Donna Angle, during an argument at their home in Dormont, Pennsylvania.
Kurt Angle's brother was arrested over the weekend for allegedly killing his wife: http://t.co/L46FSxEnVA pic.twitter.com/hfBBigpmyP
— Complex (@Complex) September 21, 2015
The argument reportedly started over vodka, and during the altercation, David Angle dragged Donna off a couch, stepped on her chest, and pulled her arms, which led to her suffocation.
David Angle was initially charged with homicide but later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement.
His defense attorney described the incident as “almost accidental” and attributed it to alcohol consumption.
On September 8, 2016, David Angle was sentenced to two-and-a-half to ten years in prison.
Brother Eric Angle Was Also A Wrestler
Kurt Angle’s other brother, Eric Angle, was also involved in professional wrestling.
Eric Angle made his debut in the wrestling ring by helping Kurt retain his Championship against The Undertaker.
However, Eric’s wrestling career was short-lived due to multiple biceps injuries, and he retired after three active years.
Had lunch with my brother Eric today. I hardly ever get to see him. He’s recovered incredibly well from his kidney transplant last year. Love you big bro. #family #bigbrother pic.twitter.com/ijzYn5M9Jr
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) November 6, 2023
Kurt Is Married To Giuliana Marie
Kurt Angle has been married twice and has six children from his two marriages.
He was married to Karen Smedly, now Karen Jarrett, from 1998 to 2008. Karen is the mother of Kurt’s eldest daughter, Kyra Angle, born in 2002, and eldest son, Kody Angle, born in 2006.
Kurt married his second and current wife, Giovanna Yannotti, on July 20, 2012.
The pair have four children: Giuliana Marie, born out of wedlock in 2011, Sophia Laine, born in 2012, Nikoletta Sky, born in 2016, and Joseph, whom they adopted from Bulgaria in 2019.
Kurt Angle Is A WWE Hall of Famer
Kurt Angle’s career is marked by significant achievements in both amateur and professional wrestling.
He gained national attention by winning a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, famously competing with a broken neck.
Transitioning to professional wrestling, Kurt joined the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in 1998, where he became one of the most celebrated wrestlers, earning multiple championships and accolades.
BRO KURT ANGLE DID THE MOST INSANE SUPLEXES TO REY MYSTERIO BACK IN THE DAY
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) May 8, 2024
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
pic.twitter.com/B8qj9rTtch
His charisma and in-ring prowess made him a fan favorite, and he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.
Additional Information
- Kurt Angle has ventured into acting, appearing in several films and TV shows. Notably, he played a role in the movie “Warrior” (2011) and has made guest appearances on various television programs.
- Kurt Angle briefly considered a career in mixed martial arts (MMA) and even received offers from major MMA promotions like UFC. However, he ultimately decided to stick with professional wrestling.
- Kurt Angle has been vocal about his disagreements with WWE after leaving the company. He criticized WWE for overworking him and keeping him in the same position on the card.
- The “Kurt Angle 1,000-Yard Stare” or “Bald Guy Staring” meme went viral in December 2023. The video was initially posted on TikTok by Kurt Angle on August 2, 2023, but it gained widespread popularity when TikTokers started using it as a meme template.