Arizona Bulletin

Goldust, a truly unforgettable figure in professional wrestling, burst onto the WWE scene in the mid-1990s with a persona unlike anything fans had ever seen. Draped in gold face paint and an androgynous, eccentric style, Goldust, portrayed by Dustin Rhodes, challenged norms and pushed boundaries in the wrestling world. His character became a key part of WWE's Attitude Era, known for its bold and controversial moments. Despite his initial portrayal as a heel, Goldust evolved into a fan favorite over the years, maintaining his status as one of wrestling's most iconic and bizarre characters.

Early Life

Dustin Patrick Runnels, known as "Goldust" in the world of wrestling, was born on April 11, 1969, in Austin, Texas. He comes from a well-known wrestling family. His father, Virgil Runnels, better known by his ring name "Dusty Rhodes," was a legendary professional wrestler, trainer, and booker. His mother is Sandra Runnels. Dustin grew up with his half-brother, Cody Rhodes, who also became a successful professional wrestler.

Dustin's early life was strongly influenced by his father's career in wrestling, which exposed him to the industry from a young age. He also has a sister named Kristin Runnels Ditto, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

While there is no extensive information about his formal education, it is clear that wrestling became a central focus of his life early on. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1988, which suggests that his attention shifted to his wrestling career soon after his teenage years. His early experiences in the wrestling world, including his father’s influence and his debut at Championship Wrestling from Florida, shaped his path in the industry​.

Career

Goldust, whose real name is Dustin Rhodes (born Dustin Runnels), is a professional wrestler known for his unique and bizarre character in the WWE. He debuted the Goldust persona in 1995, standing out with his eccentric gold face paint, body suit, and enigmatic behavior. The character became one of WWE’s most memorable, pushing boundaries during the pre-Attitude Era with a provocative, gender-bending gimmick that left a lasting mark on wrestling.

Goldust's career is deeply tied to his family legacy. He is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and half-brother of Cody Rhodes. Before becoming Goldust, Dustin wrestled under his own name in various promotions, including WCW and WWE, where he was known as "The Natural" for his smooth wrestling style, which earned him early praise. His ability to adapt and reinvent himself helped him maintain a long and successful career in the industry.

Throughout his time as Goldust, Dustin won several championships, including multiple Intercontinental and Tag Team titles. His most notable in-ring achievements came in the 1990s and early 2000s, though he made several returns to WWE after short stints in other promotions like WCW and TNA. Later in his career, he formed a tag team with his brother Cody in WWE, and the two experienced significant success as a duo​.

Wife

Goldust, whose real name is Dustin Patrick Runnels, has been married three times. His current wife is Ta-rel Marie Runnels, whom he married on June 22, 2012. The couple has been together for over a decade and remains happily married. Before this marriage, Dustin was previously married twice. His first marriage was to Terri Runnels in 1993, but they divorced in 1999. His second marriage was to Milena Martelloni in 2002, but they divorced the following year in 2003​.

Children

Goldust, whose real name is Dustin Patrick Runnels, has one child, a daughter named Dakota Avery Runnels. Dakota was born in 1994 from his marriage to Terri Runnels, a former professional wrestling manager and television host. Dakota is Goldust's only child and has largely stayed out of the public eye, although she is known to be in her twenties now​.

Net Worth

As of 2024, Goldust, also known as Dustin Rhodes, has an estimated net worth ranging between $2 million and $4 million. His wealth primarily comes from his long career as a professional wrestler, where he gained fame for his flamboyant Goldust persona in WWE. Over his career, he has won multiple championships, including WWE Hardcore and Intercontinental titles. Additionally, Goldust is currently associated with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he serves as both a wrestler and a coach, further contributing to his income​.