American wrestler, an iconic figure in professional wrestling, who gained recognition for his tenure as the WWWF Heavyweight Champion in 1977–1978. As an award-winning bodybuilder, he was a training partner and close friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is most remembered for revolutionizing the interview and physique aspects of the professional wrestling industry, and for his charismatic performance style. Some of his wrestling protégés include Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Scott Steiner, and Ric Flair.
Graham and his second wife Valerie, whom he married in 1978, were never able to have children. Graham had two children from a previous marriage to Madelyn Miluso.
Graham received a liver transplant in 2002 from a 26-year-old female donor, who had died in a car crash. Graham had cirrhosis at the time of his transplant. In July 2010, Graham was hospitalized due to liver problems. By 2012, Graham was diagnosed with third-stage liver disease and cirrhosis. On 2 August 2016, Graham was hospitalized while undergoing a medical procedure due to internal bleeding; he underwent surgery on 3 August to identify the cause of the issues.
Graham was hospitalized in January 2023 as a result of an ear and skull infection. By April, his condition had worsened; he had lost 80 pounds and was being treated for kidney, heart and lung problems. Graham died on 17 May after having been placed on life support earlier that week. He was 79.
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