Arizona Bulletin

Bret "Hitman" Hart is widely regarded as one of the greatest technical wrestlers in professional wrestling history. Known for his mastery in the ring and iconic catchphrase, "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be," Hart was a five-time WWE Champion and played a pivotal role in elevating the sportduring the 1990s. His signature sharpshooter submission move, black-and-pink attire, and habit of giving his mirrored sunglasses to a young fan before each match became legendary. Whether competing in WWE or WCW, Hart left an indelible mark on the wrestling world with his dedication to athleticism and storytelling in the ring​.

Early Life And Education

Bret Hart, a legendary professional wrestler, was born on July 2, 1957, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He grew up as the eighth child in a large family of twelve children. His father, Stu Hart, was a well-known wrestling promoter and trainer, and his mother, Helen, was from New York, which made Bret a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States.

Hart's exposure to wrestling came at a very young age. His father ran "The Dungeon," a famous basement wrestling gym where Stu trained many future wrestling stars. Bret and his siblings would often be involved in the wrestling scene from early on, helping with events by doing small tasks like handing out flyers and selling programs. This deep involvement in wrestling shaped Bret's childhood and future career.

He attended Ernest Manning High School in Calgary and later pursued post-secondary education at Mount Royal College (now Mount Royal University), where he took courses in filmmaking. Despite being surrounded by wrestling, Bret originally had dreams of working in the film industry before eventually following in his father’s footsteps to become one of wrestling's biggest stars​.

Career

Bret "The Hitman" Hart is widely regarded as one of the best professional wrestlers of his generation, known for his technical skillsand his catchphrase "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be." He was trained by his father, Stu Hart, in the legendary "Hart Dungeon," which produced many great wrestlers.

Hart’s career took off in Stampede Wrestling, his father’s promotion, before he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the 1980s. As part of The Hart Foundation tag team with Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, he gained recognition by winning two WWF World Tag Team Championships. Bret transitioned to a solo career in the early 1990s, capturing the WWF Intercontinental Championship twice, and soon becoming a fan favorite.

In 1992, Bret won his first WWF Championship by defeating Ric Flair, and during the 1990s, he won the title five times. His achievements also include victories in the King of the Ring (1991, 1993) and a memorable co-win in the 1994 Royal Rumble with Lex Luger. Bret was part of iconic matches, including his rivalry with Shawn Michaels, which culminated in the famous Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII. However, his career in WWF is perhaps most remembered for the controversial Montreal Screwjob in 1997, which led him to leave for World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

In WCW, Hart won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice, but his career was tragically cut short in 2000 due to a severe concussion and a subsequent stroke. Although his time in WCW did not reach the heights of his WWF success, Hart is still seen as a significant figure in wrestling.

Despite retiring from in-ring competition, Bret made a comeback in 2010 to WWE, where he mended relationships with Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice (in 2006 and 2019) and remains an iconic figure in wrestling history for his sportsmanship and contributions to the business. Hart's legacy includes his influential role in elevating wrestling in Canada and globally​.

Wife

Bret Hart has been married three times in his life. His first marriage was to Julie Smadu, whom he married on July 8, 1982. They were together for two decades before officially divorcing in June 2002.

After his divorce from Julie, Hart married his second wife, Cinzia Rota, an Italian woman, on September 15, 2004. However, their marriage ended after just three years in 2007. In 2010, Bret Hart married his third and current wife, Stephanie Washington. Stephanie has since been embraced by Hart's family, and they continue to live happily together​.

Children

Bret Hart has four children from his first marriage to Julie Smadu. Bret Hart is known to be close to his children, and he symbolized them in his wrestling gearby having four hearts on his tights, representing each of them. Their children are:

• Jade Michelle Hart - Born in 1983, she is the eldest.
• Dallas Jeffrey Hart - Born in 1984.
• Alexandra Sabina Hart - Born in 1988.
• Blade Colton Hart - Born in 1990.

Net Worth

As of 2024, Bret Hart's net worth is estimated to be around $7 million. This wealth comes from his long and successful career as a professional wrestler, where he won numerous championships, including five WWF World Heavyweight titles and two WCW World Heavyweight Championships. After retiring from in-ring competition, Hart remained involved in wrestling through appearances and his role as a WWE Hall of Famer. He has also made money through acting, writing, and other media appearances.