Dusty Rhodes, an iconic American wrestler, was married twice, with Sandra McHargue being his first wife and Michelle Rubio his second.
Born on October 11, 1945, in Orlando, Florida, Dusty Runnels began his wrestling career in 1967, with one of his first matches being for the BTW World Heavyweight title against champion Frank Scarpa at the Boston Arena.
In 1968, he adopted the name “Dusty Rhodes” and teamed up with Dick Murdoch as “The Texas Outlaws,” wrestling across the U.S. and internationally.
He rose to prominence in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) between 1974 and 1984, where he became a fan-favorite hero known as “The American Dream.”
During this time, he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times and engaged in iconic rivalries.
His legendary feud with Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen, particularly his emotional “Hard Times” promo, deeply resonated with fans and remained one of wrestling’s most memorable moments.
In 1989, Rhodes joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as the polka-dotted “Common Man,” quickly entering feuds with top stars like Ted DiBiase and Big Boss Man.
He paired with Sapphire, representing the “common woman,” and together they achieved memorable victories, including a major win at WrestleMania VI, before Rhodes left WWF in 1991.
Later, Rhodes founded his promotion, Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, where he competed and feuded with wrestling legends like Terry Funk and Steve Corino.
In 2003, he joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) while also appearing on the independent circuit for promotions such as Ring of Honor (ROH) and Full Impact Pro.
In 2005, Rhodes returned to WWE under a Legends contract, serving as a creative consultant and making memorable appearances at WWE Raw Homecoming and Survivor Series.
He made his final WWE appearance on March 28, 2015, during the Hall of Fame: Live From the Red Carpet show.
Rhodes passed away on June 11, 2015, from kidney failure, but his legacy as a beloved and influential wrestling legend lives on.
Dusty Rhodes and His Second Wife, Michelle Rubio, First Met at the Imperial Lounge
Dusty Rhodes married his second wife, Michelle Rubio, in 1978, and the couple remained together for 37 years until his passing in 2015.
Michelle, born on October 6, 1962, in El Paso, Texas, is of Cuban descent and was a dancer with The Devil’s Angels dance company before she met Dusty.
Their first meeting in 1977 took place at the Imperial Lounge, a country music spot Dusty frequented.
Reflecting on that time, Michelle admitted:
It wasn’t love at first sight. But I fell in love with him, very quickly.
Via Readysteadycut
After her marriage to Dusty, she stepped into the limelight as a supportive wife and a strong, independent woman.
Though a private person, she became beloved by wrestling fans for her unwavering support of Dusty’s career.
Dusty often credited Michelle for his success, calling her his best friend in his autobiography and recounting how she would travel with him during his early wrestling years.
The couple had two children, Teil and Cody Runnels, and Michelle played a significant role in supporting both their father’s and children’s ambitions.
She has been a constant pillar for Cody as he built a successful wrestling career.
Michelle is frequently seen at Cody’s matches, cheering him on and expressing her emotions when things don’t go as planned in the ring.
Michelle’s love and dedication were evident during key moments in Cody’s career, such as AEW Full Gear 2019, where she was one of the first to help him backstage after a serious injury.
Her protective instincts as a mother were also on display during the Royal Rumble 2023, when she became upset watching Gunther dominate Cody in the final moments of the match.
Since Dusty’s passing, Michelle has continued to honor his legacy by launching the Dusty Rhodes Foundation in 2022.
The foundation aims to help young children pursue their dreams in sports.
Outside her foundation work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, supporting her family, and occasionally appearing on wrestling shows.
Sandra McHargue, First Wife of Wrestling Icon Dusty Rhodes, Passed Away in 2023
Before marrying Michelle Rubio, Dusty Rhodes was previously married to his first wife, Sandra McHargue, in 1965.
Their marriage lasted for 10 years and ended in 1975.
The couple had two children together: Dustin Runnels and Kristin Runnels.
Dustin, like his father, pursued a successful career in professional wrestling and is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Kristin, on the other hand, made a name for herself outside the ring as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader from 1998 to 2000. Later, she ventured into real estate, launching her business, KDreamLiving.
Sadly, Sandra Runnels passed away in 2023, as announced by her son Dustin on social media. Dustin wrote:
I am very sad to say that I lost my Momma today. She was an incredibly strong mother who was loving and resilient to her dying day. She taught me everything, and I am the man I am today because of her. I am so saddened but so happy she is no longer in pain. ❤️
Via Instagram
While the cause of d*ath was not disclosed, Dustin included a touching photo of him holding his mother’s hand, likely taken at her hospital bedside.
While Sandra’s professional career remains largely undocumented, she played an integral role in supporting her family’s involvement in professional wrestling.
Her d*ath comes nearly seven years after Dusty Rhodes passed away.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Dusty Rhodes attended Albert Sidney Johnston High School in Austin and later played baseball and football at West Texas State, now West Texas A&M University.
- During his time as a backstage producer in WCW, Rhodes played a crucial role in guiding many wrestlers’ careers.
