Jean Christensen was a model and wrestling public relations professional who worked in the industry during the 1970s and 1980s. She is often remembered because of her long-term relationship with André the Giant, one of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling. But Jean had a career and identity of her own, long before and beyond her connection to the wrestling star.
Jean Christensen’s Early Years and Career
Jean Christensen was born in Minnesota to Nels Peter and Paula Gantriis. Her family had Danish roots, giving her a background shaped by a strong connection to her heritage. In the early 1970s, she began working as a model. Her height and confident presence helped her establish herself in an industry where appearance and personality played a major role.
Her professional path eventually led her into wrestling, where she took on a public relations role with WWE, then known as WWF. At a time when women were still uncommon in behind-the-scenes wrestling positions, Jean stood out. Her work involved helping wrestlers handle media appearances, arranging interviews, and supporting the public image of wrestling talent and events.
Working in wrestling public relations gave Jean a place in an industry that was rapidly expanding. She was among the women who helped shape the business behind the scenes at a time when professional wrestling was becoming increasingly popular with mainstream audiences.
How Jean Met André the Giant
Jean met André René Roussimoff, better known around the world as André the Giant, in the early 1970s while she was working in wrestling public relations. André was already an extraordinary figure. Standing more than seven feet tall and weighing over 500 pounds, his appearance made him instantly recognizable. His size was linked to acromegaly, a condition that caused abnormal growth.
Despite his imposing appearance, André was widely described by people around him as warm and gentle. Jean saw a different side of him away from the spectacle of professional wrestling. Their connection developed over time, with Jean appreciating his personality and André respecting her independence and intelligence.
Their relationship eventually became serious, bringing together two people whose lives were already connected to the unusual world of professional wrestling.
Their Family Life and Daughter Robin
Jean and André were never legally married in the United States, although some accounts have reported that they had a common-law marriage in Canada. Their relationship resulted in the birth of their daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, in 1979.
Robin’s birth came with complications. André reportedly initially doubted that he could have children. A paternity test later confirmed that he was Robin’s father. Following the confirmation, André provided financial support for his daughter, beginning at $750 a month and later increasing to $1,000.
André’s career, however, required him to travel extensively. His demanding wrestling schedule meant that he was frequently away, making regular family life difficult. Robin therefore spent most of her childhood with Jean in Seattle, Washington.
Jean took on much of the responsibility of raising Robin. Robin has spoken about seeing her father only a handful of times while growing up, with some of their encounters taking place in connection with child-support proceedings. Despite the difficulties, Jean worked to provide her daughter with a stable upbringing while continuing to manage her own professional life.
Jean’s Life After André the Giant
André the Giant died on January 27, 1993, in Paris, France. He was 46 years old and died from heart failure. Following his death, Jean largely withdrew from public attention and concentrated on her family and her life away from the wrestling spotlight.
In her later years, Jean worked as a seamstress and costume designer. She also owned a costume business in the Seattle area called Andre’s Bodacious Babe Costumes, a name that referenced her connection with André. Through her work, she continued to use her creativity and skills to make costumes for entertainers.
Jean Christensen died in 2008 at the age of 74. Although she was connected to one of wrestling’s most famous stars, much of her later life was spent away from the attention that had surrounded André.
Robin Christensen-Roussimoff and Her Father’s Legacy
Robin Christensen-Roussimoff became the main heir to much of André the Giant’s estate. She also briefly explored professional wrestling herself, although she did not achieve the same level of fame as her father.
Much of Robin’s public work has centered on preserving and sharing her father’s legacy. She served as a consultant for the HBO documentary André the Giant, which was released in 2018. Through interviews and other appearances, Robin has continued to speak about her father and his place in wrestling history.
Jean Christensen’s Place in Wrestling History
Jean Christensen may not have reached the same level of fame as André the Giant, but she had her own place in professional wrestling. Her career moved from modeling into wrestling public relations at a time when women had relatively few opportunities in the industry.
Her PR work allowed her to contribute to how wrestlers interacted with the media and how wrestling events were presented to the public. Working behind the scenes, she became part of an industry that was changing quickly during the 1970s and 1980s.
Jean’s life as a mother was another important part of her story. She raised Robin largely on her own while dealing with the demands and complications that came with André’s international career. Her story is therefore not simply about being connected to a famous wrestler, but about building a career and family life in circumstances that were often far from ordinary.
Remembering Jean Christensen
Jean Christensen’s story extends beyond her relationship with André the Giant. She worked as a model, built a career in wrestling public relations, later worked in costume design, and devoted much of her life to raising her daughter.
Her connection to André placed her close to one of professional wrestling’s most famous personalities, but Jean had accomplishments and responsibilities of her own. Her career in wrestling PR also reflected the changing role of women within the industry during an important period of its development.
Although she lived much of her later life away from the public eye, Jean’s story remains connected to wrestling history through her daughter, her work, and her relationship with André the Giant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jean Christensen
1. Were Jean Christensen and André the Giant Married?
Jean and André were never legally married in the United States. Some accounts claim that they had a common-law marriage in Canada, although there was no official marriage registered in the US. They remained in a long-term relationship and had one daughter together.
2. What Was Jean Christensen’s Profession?
Jean began her career as a model in the early 1970s before moving into wrestling public relations. She worked with WWF, now known as WWE, helping with wrestler publicity, interviews, and media coverage. Later, she worked as a seamstress and costume designer.
3. Did Jean Christensen Have Any Children?
Jean had one child, her daughter Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, who was born in 1979. Robin was André the Giant’s only known child.
4. When Did Jean Christensen Die?
Jean Christensen died in 2008 at the age of 74. She spent her later years in the Seattle area.
5. What Was Jean Christensen’s Contribution to Wrestling?
Jean was among the women working in wrestling public relations during the 1970s. Her work involved helping wrestlers with publicity, media appearances, and public relations. Her career reflected the growing opportunities for women behind the scenes in professional wrestling.
