Jean Christensen’s story is intertwined with one of professional wrestling’s most iconic figures, Andre the Giant. While Andre’s career in the 1970s and ’80s earned him worldwide fame, Jean’s own journey as a model, wrestling public relations professional, and devoted mother deserves recognition in its own right.
Early Life and Background
Born on August 15, 1949, in Minnesota, United States, Jean Christensen grew up in a family of Danish heritage. Her parents, Nels Peter and Paula Gantriis, raised her in a supportive environment that encouraged ambition and resilience. Of white ethnicity and standing an impressive 6 feet 4 inches tall, Jean possessed a striking presence that would later open doors in the modeling industry.
Career in Modeling and Wrestling Public Relations
Jean began her modeling career in the early 1970s, leveraging her height and distinctive look to secure work in a competitive industry. Her charisma and professionalism eventually led her into the wrestling business, where she transitioned into public relations. At a time when wrestling was gaining international attention, Jean’s role involved promoting talent, coordinating media interactions, and managing the image of wrestlers for audiences across the globe.
Meeting Andre the Giant
It was within this professional setting that Jean first met Andre René Roussimoff, better known as Andre the Giant. Known as “Beast Roussimoff” during his wrestling tours in Japan, Andre was already becoming a major attraction in the sport. Their first encounter in the early 1970s did not spark immediate romance, but a mutual respect and personal connection developed over time.
Relationship and Family Life
Although Jean Christensen and Andre the Giant never married, they shared a significant relationship that resulted in the birth of their daughter, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, in 1979. Initially, Andre did not acknowledge Robin as his child, prompting a paternity test that confirmed their biological connection. Following this, Jean received financial support for Robin’s upbringing — starting at $750 per month and later increasing to $1,000.
Despite the financial arrangement, Jean’s life as a single mother was not without challenges. Andre’s wrestling career required constant travel, limiting his ability to be present in their daughter’s life. The demands of his profession and the strain of a long-distance relationship ultimately led to their separation.
Raising Robin Christensen-Roussimoff
Jean took on the full responsibility of raising Robin in Seattle, Washington. Determined to provide her daughter with stability, she balanced work and parenting while shielding Robin from excessive public attention. Robin would later inherit a significant portion of Andre’s estate after his passing in 1993. While she briefly explored a career in wrestling, Robin ultimately pursued other avenues, continuing to honor her father’s memory in various ways.
Later Years and Passing
Jean Christensen lived a relatively private life after her separation from Andre, continuing her work in modeling and wrestling public relations. By the time of her death in 2008, at the age of 74, her net worth was estimated to be over $100,000 — earnings she had built through her professional career and her contributions to the wrestling industry.
Her daughter Robin has carried forward her parents’ legacy, working as a consultant for the movie Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven and appearing in the 2018 HBO documentary Andre the Giant. As of 2024, Robin’s net worth is estimated between $5 million and $10 million, largely due to her inheritance and ongoing projects related to her father’s legacy.
Legacy in Wrestling and Family
Jean Christensen’s influence in the wrestling industry may not have been in the spotlight like Andre’s, but it was substantial. As a public relations professional, she helped shape how wrestling talent was perceived by the media and fans. Her work bridged the gap between wrestlers and the public, ensuring that the larger-than-life personas of the ring were effectively promoted to audiences worldwide.
In her personal life, Jean demonstrated resilience and commitment. Raising Robin largely on her own while maintaining a career was no small feat. She balanced the challenges of single parenthood with the demands of working in a male-dominated industry, all while keeping her dignity intact.
Remembering Jean Christensen
Jean’s life is a reminder that the figures who stand beside famous names often have their own stories of perseverance and accomplishment. While she is frequently remembered in connection to Andre the Giant, her own achievements — from her modeling career to her role in wrestling PR — deserve acknowledgment.
Her legacy also lives on through Robin, who continues to keep both her mother’s and father’s memories alive through media appearances and projects that celebrate their contributions to wrestling history.
Jean Christensen may not have sought fame for herself, but her life intersected with one of wrestling’s greatest legends in ways that shaped both personal and professional narratives. Her story stands as a testament to quiet strength, industry contributions, and the enduring impact of a mother’s role in preserving a family’s legacy.
