Chris Benoit, a notable figure in wrestling, was first married to Martina Benoit and subsequently to his second wife, Nancy Elizabeth Benoit.
Born on May 21, 1967, in Montreal, Canada, Benoit began his wrestling career at Calgary’s Hart Dungeon, training under Stu Hart to develop his signature technical style.
He debuted professionally in 1985 with Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling, where he rapidly earned a reputation for intense matches and comparisons to the Dynamite Kid, his idol.
His career took an international turn with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he competed as “The Pegasus Kid” and later “Wild Pegasus,” securing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship and winning the Super J-Cup in 1994.
During the mid-1990s, he wrestled in ECW and WCW, earning the nickname “The Crippler” due to his accurate and impactful wrestling techniques.
He gained prominence in WCW’s cruiserweight division before transitioning to heavyweight competition, where he became WCW World Heavyweight Champion briefly before his departure in 2000.
Benoit then joined WWE in the year 2000, where he became part of ‘The Radicalz‘ and quickly established himself as a top-tier talent.
His greatest moment was at WrestleMania XX in 2004, where he won the World Heavyweight Championship in a memorable match against Triple H and Shawn Michaels, celebrating his win with his close friend Eddie Guerrero.
However, Benoit’s life ended in tragedy in June 2007 with a shocking m*rder-suicide involving his family.
Subsequent investigations linked his behavior to severe brain damage caused by years of in-ring trauma.
Benoit’s legacy in wrestling is both remarkable and tragic, with his technical excellence overshadowed by his d*ath, altering safety protocols within the industry.
Nancy Elizabeth Toffoloni, Chris Benoit’s Second Wife, Was Also a Professional Wrestler
Chris Benoit and his second wife, Nancy Elizabeth Toffoloni, whom he met within the wrestling community, married on November 23, 2000.
They initially crossed paths in 1996 during a scripted wrestling storyline involving an affair, which soon mirrored their real lives as their relationship turned serious.
By 1997, they were engaged and welcomed their son, Daniel Christopher Benoit, on February 25, 2000.
Their marriage, however, was troubled. Nancy filed allegations of domestic abuse against Chris in 2003, leading her to temporarily seek a divorce and a restraining order, which she later dismissed.
Tragically, their relationship ended in 2007 when Chris committed a double m*rder-suicide, taking the lives of Nancy and Daniel before ending his own.
Before marrying Chris, Nancy first married Jim Daus and then wrestler and booker Kevin Sullivan.
Nancy Benoit, born Nancy Elizabeth Toffoloni on May 17, 1964, in Boston, Massachusetts, was the daughter of Paul and Maureen Toffoloni.
Her entry into professional wrestling began after a stint as a model and secretary, transitioning to the sports entertainment scene following a photoshoot for a wrestling magazine in 1984.
This opportunity led to her debut in the ring as “Fallen Angel” on June 30, 1984, for Florida Championship Wrestling.
Over the years, Nancy evolved into one of the iconic figures in wrestling, taking on various personas, including the ring name “Woman.”
She was notably involved in storyline developments and managerial roles in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling during the late 1980s and 1990s.
Her influence extended beyond the ring as she became known for her managerial prowess, aligning with prominent wrestlers and influencing major plotlines.
In World Championship Wrestling, she was part of influential storylines involving major figures like Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen, enhancing her reputation as a key figure in wrestling entertainment.
Despite her career being cut short by the tragic events of 2007, Nancy’s legacy was honored posthumously in 2024 with the Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Stanley Weston Award for her lifetime achievements.
Her career was tragically cut short when she was m*rdered by Chris Benoit in a double m*rder-suicide in June 2007, which also claimed the life of their seven-year-old son, Daniel.
On June 25, 2007, the shocking discovery of Nancy, Chris, and their son deceased in their suburban Atlanta home at around 2:30 p.m. stunned the wrestling world.
During a press conference on June 26, authorities confirmed that Chris had k*lled Nancy and Daniel before committing suicide.
They detailed that Nancy died of asphyxiation with signs of physical restraint, while Daniel also succumbed to asphyxiation.
Chris Benoit Had Two Children With First Wife, Martina
Chris Benoit married his first wife, Martina Benoit, in 1988.
Despite their years together and Chris’s significant fame, very little is known about their relationship.
Martina has consistently maintained a low public profile, with no details available about her early life, family, or career.
The couple had two children, David and Megan Benoit.
Even with Chris’s high-profile status, Martina and Chris’s life together remains largely out of the public eye due to her privacy preference.
They ended their marriage in 1997 after nine years together, with no specific reasons for the split disclosed.
Following their separation, Martina has continued to lead a private life, with no subsequent records of her remarrying or her current whereabouts in public or media outlets.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Chris Benoit, son of Michael and Margaret, grew up with his sibling, Laurie Benoit.
- His wrestling achievements earned him induction into the Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2003.
