Stone Cold Steve Austin is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He is best known for his iconic ring name “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, which he used during his famous tenure in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now known as WWE.
Austin played an integral role in the WWF’s growth and success during the Attitude Era, the industry’s boom period in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
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- Full name: Stone Cold Steve Austin
- Stage Name: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
- Date of birth: December 18, 1964
- Age: 59 years old
- Place of birth: Victoria, Texas, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: American professional wrestler
- Height: 1.88 m
- Parents: Beverly Harrison and Ken Williams
- Siblings: Jamie McBride, Jeff Williams, Jennifer Williams, Scott Williams and Kevin Williams
- Spouse: Kristin Austin (married 2009), Debra Marshall (married 2000–2003), Lady Blossom (married 1992–1999), Kathryn Burrhus (married 1990–1992)
- Children: Jade Adams, Stephanie Williams, Cassidy Williams and Loren Williams
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $30 million
Early life and education
Steven James Anderson, better known by his stage name “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, was born on December 18, 1964 in Victoria, Texas, United States. His parents, Beverly (née Harrison) and James Anderson, divorced when he was about a year old.
His mother moved to Edna, Texas, where Austin spent most of his childhood, and she married Ken Williams in 1968. Austin took his stepfather’s surname and legally changed his name to Steven James Williams.
After being legally adopted, Austin has a younger sister named Jennifer and three older brothers named Scott, Kevin, and Jeff. After completing his education at Edna High School, he received a football scholarship to Wharton County Community College, then a full scholarship to the University of North Texas. Austin is white and is a Christian.
Career
Steve Austin began his professional wrestling career in 1989 after playing college football at the University of North Texas. He signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1991 and played the role of “Stunning” Steve Austin, a villainous in-ring technician.
He was successful in WCW, winning the WCW World Television Championship and United States Heavyweight Championship multiple times, as well as the WCW World Tag Team Championship and NWA World Tag Team Championship with Brian Pillman.
After a brief stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), Austin signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1995. His career broke through when he took on the persona of “Stone Cold”, whose rebellious attitude, signature catchphrases, and iconic beer-drinking antics quickly made him a fan favorite.
Austin’s feuds with the tyrannical Vince McMahon and the Corporation shaped the Attitude Era and changed the wrestling landscape. He held the WWF/WWE Championship multiple times and headlined several WrestleManias, with matches against Shawn Michaels, The Rock and Triple H considered some of the greatest in wrestling history.
Despite being forced to retire from in-ring competition in 2003 due to injury, Austin’s impact on the wrestling world remains. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 and returned in a one-off match against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022.
He has made occasional appearances at WWE, hosted WrestleMania, and served as a general manager. Austin also hosts the popular podcasts The Steve Austin Show and Broken Skull Sessions, and has collaborated on beer.
Awards and nominations
Major achievements and awards
- WWE Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2009. This is considered the highest honor in professional wrestling.
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2016 as part of the Modern Era.
- Multiple WWE Championships: Austin holds the WWF/WWE Championship record six times.
- Royal Rumble Winner: Won the Royal Rumble matches in 1997, 1998, and 2001.
- King of the Ring Contest Winner: Won the 1996 King of the Ring contest.
- WWE Triple Crown Champion: Holds the Intercontinental Championship and the Tag Team Championship, in addition to the World Championship.
Social media
- Instagram handle: @steveaustinbsr
- Facebook name: Stone Cold Steve Austin
- Twitter Name: @steveaustinBSR
Personal life
Stone Cold Steve Austin has been married four times. His first marriage was to Kathryn Burrhus in 1990, but they divorced after two years in 1992.
His second marriage was to Jeanie Clarke, a former professional wrestling manager and British author, in 1992. They were married for seven years before divorcing in 1999. They have two daughters together, Cassidy Williams and Loren Williams, as well as a son named Stephanie Williams. Austin also adopted Clarke’s daughter, Jade Adams, from a previous relationship, becoming her stepfather.
Austin’s third marriage was to Debra Marshall, a retired professional wrestler, actress, and wrestler, in 2000. However, this marriage only lasted 3 years before they divorced in 2003. Austin’s current and fourth marriage is to Kristin Feres, whom he married in 2009. They are still married to this day but have no children together.
Overall, Stone Cold Steve Austin’s personal life has been marked by a series of marriages and divorces, although he maintains close relationships with his children from previous relationships.
Net worth
Stone Cold Steve Austin is a name that has become synonymous with the golden age of professional wrestling. Known for his rebellious personality, Stone Cold Steve Austin rose to superstardom in the WWE (then WWF) during the Attitude Era of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Now retired from in-ring competition, the iconic wrestler has transitioned into a successful media personality and businessman, amassing an estimated net worth of $30 million as of 2024. Austin’s path to wealth and fame was paved by his remarkable wrestling career.
