The Von Erich family is known to this day for having one of the greatest histories in the world of professional wrestling. However, while success appeared in the ring, the family’s backstage was quite dark and several tragedies occurred over the years.
In total, three members committed suicide, one of them had acute enteritis of the upper intestine, and the eldest son of the family died from electrocution when he was still a child. Due to many tragic stories along the way, the Von Erichs also ended up earning a reputation as the “cursed family” in the international press.
The Rise of the Von Erichs
Owner of a strong personality and great skill in the ring, Fritz Von Erich created his legacy in wrestling. His father was Kevin Von Erich, a former high-profile American football player. Thus, to achieve the same fame as his progenitor, Fritz began to portray a controversial figure in his struggles: that of a Nazi.
Taking advantage of his name of German origin, Fritz Von Erich began to replicate the figure of a Nazi supporter in his fights, which brought him a lot of attention, but also aroused the hatred of his fans. Although he was not actually German, this “marketing strategy” piqued public interest and began to pave the way for his family’s future success.
In 1952, Fritz and his then-wife Doris had their first child, Jack Baron Adkisson Junior. However, at the age of 7, young Jack was electrocuted and subsequently drowned in a puddle at Niagara Falls in Canada. And the brothers born after him didn’t have a very happy life either.
Family tragedies
Years after Jack’s death, Fritz saw the birth of three more children: Kevin, David and Kerry. They all absorbed their father’s dream of pursuing a career in professional wrestling, all with a very promising future. The Von Erich brothers found success in wrestling in the 1970s and 1980s, the same time their father took control of World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW).
Each of them had the chance to stand out, bringing something different to the table. Kerry was the most charismatic, while David was the most technical and Kevin the fastest and most agile. Their names quickly became known in the fight world, which likely served as a smokescreen for the family behind the scenes.
In 1984, David Von Erich was found dead in his hotel room at the age of 25. He suffered from a tragic case of acute intestinal enteritis, which led to a subsequent heart attack. News of his death spread quickly, devastating his fans and affecting his family. Three years later, Mike Von Erich, Fritz’s fourth son, overdosed on tranquilizers after learning that his fighting career would have to be cut short due to a shoulder injury.
However, the tragedies did not stop there. The family’s fifth son, Chris, also committed suicide in 1991, which is believed to have happened because he suffered from depression after the deaths of his brothers and never made it in wrestling. Two years later, Kerry Von Erich committed suicide after separating from his wife and retiring from the ring.
The last survivor
While no parent should have to see the death of their child, Fritz Von Erich had to deal with the deaths of four of his own before he left. He divorced Doris in 1992, when she was already facing serious health problems. However, the family curse finally came to weigh on him in 1997, when the famous fighter died at the age of 68 due to brain cancer.
Of all the tragedies that befell the Von Erichs, only one of them survived: Kevin. Overcoming all adversities, he started his family and currently lives in Hawaii, away from the spotlight. While this is not a happy story, at least one Von Erich achieved peace of mind after much suffering.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
