Arizona Bulletin

Harley Race is a name that resonates deeply in the world of professional wrestling. Known for his incredible toughness and tenacity, he captivated audiences for decades with his electrifying performances and rivalries. With a career that spanned over 30 years, Race became an eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, making him one of the most decorated wrestlers in history. Beyond the ring, he was also a respected promoter and trainer, nurturing the next generation of wrestling talent. His legacy continues to inspire many within the wrestling community, reflecting the enduring impact he had on the sport​.

Early Life

Harley Race, born on April 11, 1943, in Quitman, Missouri, grew up in a rural environment. He was part of a large family and learned the value of hard work from an early age, helping his family on their farm​. Race faced many challenges during his childhood, including poverty and a difficult family life. He often spoke about how these experiences shaped his character and work ethic​.

Regarding education, Race attended local schools but dropped out at 15 to pursue wrestling. He was introduced to the sport by a local promoter, Gust Karras, who saw potential in him. Race began training seriously at 16 under Karras and gained further instruction from experienced wrestlers, including Stanislaus and Wladek Zbyszko​.

Career

Harley Race was a prominent American professional wrestler. He started his wrestling career at a young age, beginning in 1959. Over the years, he became known as one of the toughest and most skilled wrestlers in the sport. He won numerous championships, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship eight times, a record that stood until Ric Flair matched it in 1991​.

Race first gained significant recognition after winning his first NWA title on May 24, 1973, from Dory Funk Jr. He also had notable success in tag team wrestling, winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship with Larry Hennig during the 1960s​. In the mid-1980s, he joined the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and became known as "The King," winning the King of the Ring tournament in 1986​.

Race continued to wrestle into the early 1990s in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) before retiring from in-ring competition. After retiring, he became a trainer for new wrestlers, running a training camp in Missouri and later establishing the World League Wrestling (WLW), where he worked as a promoter​. In 2004, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy in professional wrestling​. Race passed away on August 1, 2019, after battling lung cancer​.

Wife

Harley Race was married four times throughout his life. His first marriage was to Vivian Jones in 1960, but she tragically died just five weeks after their wedding in a car accident. Following this, he married Sandra Jones, with whom he had a daughter named Candice Marie. This marriage ended in divorce​

Race's third wife remained unnamed in his autobiography, but they were married for over 30 years before divorcing in the early 1990s. His final wife was Beverly "B.J." Race, whom he married in late 1995 after a serious car accident ended his wrestling career. B.J. was a key figure in Race's life, helping to run their wrestling promotion and academy.

Children

Harley Race, had three children. His family included a daughter named Candice Marie and two sons, Justin and Leland Race. Harley's first marriage was to Vivian Jones, then he married Sandra Jones, with whom he had Candice. His third wife, whose name he did not reveal in his autobiography, was the mother of his son Justin​.

Net Worth

As of 2024, Harley Race, a legendary professional wrestler, had an estimated net worth of about $600,000 at the time of his death in 2019. He was known for his remarkable career, which included being an eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and a key figure in wrestling promotions like AWA, NWA, and WWF.