Jean Christensen stood 6 feet 4 inches tall and became known as the partner of wrestling legend Andre the Giant, but her story goes far beyond that connection. She built her own career as a successful model and WWE public relations professional during the 1970s and 1980s.
Born on August 15, 1949, in Minnesota, Jean came from Danish heritage and created a life that bridged the worlds of fashion and professional wrestling. Her relationship with Andre the Giant, though never officially married in the United States, produced one daughter and left a mark on wrestling history that people still talk about today.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jean Christensen (née Gantriis) |
| Date of Birth | August 15, 1949 |
| Birthplace | Minnesota, United States |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) |
| Profession | Model, WWE PR Representative |
| Partner | Andre the Giant (André René Roussimoff) |
| Daughter | Robin Christensen-Roussimoff |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White (Danish descent) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $100,000 |
| Death | 2008 (Age 74) |
Who Was Jean Christensen?
Jean Christensen was a former model and WWE public relations professional who became Andre the Giant’s longtime partner. She grew up in Minnesota with Danish roots—her maiden name, Gantriis, reflected family values of knowledge, leadership, and fairness that shaped her character throughout her life.
Her impressive height of 6 feet 4 inches made her stand out in the modeling world during the early 1970s. She brought grace and confidence to every runway show and photo shoot. This physical presence, combined with her professional skills, opened doors in the competitive fashion industry.
Jean’s life changed direction when she entered the wrestling business. Her understanding of public relations and media management made her valuable to the growing wrestling industry. She became one of the early professionals who helped shape how wrestling promoted itself to the public.
Early Life and Background
Jean was born in August 1949 to parents Nels Peter and Paula Gantriis. Growing up in Minnesota, she experienced a typical American upbringing with strong European cultural influences from her Danish heritage.
Her family valued education, fairness, and strong leadership—principles that Jean carried into her adult life. These values helped her handle the challenges that came with dating one of the world’s most famous wrestlers.
Details about her siblings and early education remain private, as Jean preferred to keep her family life away from public attention. This preference for privacy would continue throughout her relationship with Andre the Giant.
Jean Christensen’s Height and Physical Appearance
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Jean Christensen had a striking physical presence. Her height put her well above average for women and made her a natural fit for modeling work in the 1970s.
She had brown hair and dark brown eyes that complemented her elegant features. Her weight was approximately 196 pounds, distributed across her tall frame. The combination of height and poise made her memorable in both the fashion and wrestling worlds.
Her stature became even more notable when people learned about her relationship with Andre the Giant, who stood 7 feet 4 inches tall. The couple made quite an impression when they appeared together at wrestling events or in public settings.
Modeling Career in the 1970s
Jean launched her modeling career in the early 1970s when the fashion industry celebrated diverse body types and striking looks. Her height, which might have been seen as unusual in other decades, became an asset.
She worked with various designers and appeared in print campaigns throughout the decade. The modeling work gave her confidence and taught her how to present herself professionally in high-pressure situations.
Her time in fashion also connected her to entertainment industry professionals. These connections would later help her transition into wrestling public relations. The skills she learned about image management and media relations became valuable tools in her next career phase.
Entering the Wrestling World
Jean’s transition from modeling to wrestling PR happened around 1972 or 1973. The wrestling industry was growing rapidly during this period, and promoters needed professionals who understood how to manage public image and media relationships.
She brought a fresh perspective to wrestling promotion. Her background in fashion and modeling gave her insights into presentation and visual appeal that benefited the wrestlers she worked with.
Jean managed press relations, coordinated promotional events, and helped craft the public personas of various wrestlers. Her work contributed to making wrestling more mainstream and appealing to broader audiences beyond traditional fans.
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Meeting Andre the Giant
Jean first met Andre the Giant in the early 1970s through her work in wrestling public relations. Andre, whose real name was André René Roussimoff, was becoming an international sensation because of his extraordinary size and wrestling abilities.
Their first meeting didn’t immediately spark romance, but the connection between them grew stronger over time. They worked together professionally before their relationship developed into something more personal.
Andre was already dealing with acromegaly, a condition caused by excess growth hormone that contributed to his massive size. Jean understood the medical challenges he faced and the demands of his grueling travel schedule as a wrestler.
In a 1990s interview, Jean recalled her first encounter with the wrestler, noting she was surprised by his graciousness when she gave him something without asking for anything in return. This initial interaction showed her Andre’s character beyond his intimidating physical presence.
Relationship with Andre the Giant
Jean and Andre developed a relationship that lasted several years during the height of his wrestling fame. Their partnership, though never legally formalized through marriage in the United States, was significant and produced a daughter.
The two married in Canada but never registered their marriage license in the U.S. This technicality meant that legally, they were never considered married in America, though they functioned as a committed couple for years.
Their relationship faced unique challenges. Andre’s wrestling career required constant travel across the United States and internationally. He worked a punishing schedule that kept him away from home for extended periods.
The physical complications from Andre’s acromegaly also affected their relationship. His size created practical difficulties in daily life, and his health deteriorated over the years. Jean remained supportive despite these obstacles.
Christensen made clothes for Roussimoff, who was 7 feet, 4 inches tall and weighed 500 pounds. She used her skills to help him look his best, understanding that his size made finding appropriate clothing nearly impossible.
Daughter Robin Christensen-Roussimoff
Jean gave birth to Robin Christensen-Roussimoff in 1979. The pregnancy came as a surprise—Jean had been told that Andre was sterile, making the pregnancy unexpected for both of them.
Initially, Andre did not acknowledge Robin as his daughter. This denial led to legal proceedings, including a paternity test that confirmed Andre’s biological connection to Robin. The court ordered Andre to pay child support, starting at $750 per month and later increasing to $1,000.
Robin could only ever recall meeting Andre a handful of times throughout her youth. His wrestling schedule and the tension between him and Jean made regular father-daughter contact difficult.
Jean raised Robin primarily as a single mother in Seattle, Washington. She protected her daughter from excessive media attention and tried to give her a stable upbringing despite the complicated family situation.
The relationship between Andre and Robin improved somewhat during his later years. Before his death in 1993, they worked on developing a closer bond, though the time was limited.
Robin inherited most of her father’s estate when he died. Andre had set up a trust that Robin couldn’t access until she turned 30 in 2009. He wanted to make sure Jean couldn’t control the money during Robin’s younger years.
Life After Andre
Andre the Giant died on January 28, 1993, in Paris from heart failure at age 46. His death marked the end of one of wrestling’s most legendary careers and left Jean to continue raising Robin alone.
Jean stepped back from public life after Andre’s passing. She focused on her daughter and maintained a low profile for the rest of her life. Unlike many who were connected to famous figures, she didn’t seek attention or try to capitalize on her relationship with Andre.
She lived in the Seattle area and continued her work in costume design and sewing. She opened Andre’s Bodacious Babe Costumes shop in Shoreline, named after both herself and her late former partner.
Jean still sewed for entertainment professionals, including musicians like Weird Al Yankovic and Dick Dale. She also received offers to work with major entertainment companies, including Cirque du Soleil, Fox movie studios, and the company that produced The Muppets Live.
Among her treasured possessions were Andre’s shoes—size 28E—which she kept as a reminder of the man who had been such a large part of her life.
Jean Christensen’s Career and Professional Impact
Beyond her relationship with Andre, Jean established herself as a respected professional in two different industries. Her modeling career in the 1970s showed her ability to succeed in a competitive field.
Her transition to wrestling public relations demonstrated adaptability and business sense. She became one of the early women working behind the scenes in professional wrestling during an era when the industry was male-dominated.
Jean’s work in PR helped improve how wrestling presented itself to the media and public. She understood visual presentation from her modeling days and applied those principles to promoting wrestlers and events.
Her contributions helped wrestling become more mainstream entertainment rather than just a niche sport. The promotional techniques and image management strategies she employed became standard practice in the industry.
Jean Christensen’s Net Worth
Jean Christensen’s net worth exceeded $100,000 at the time of her death in 2008. She earned this through her combined careers in modeling, wrestling PR, and later costume design work.
Her income was modest compared to Andre’s wealth. Andre earned an annual salary of approximately $400,000 in 1974, making him one of the highest-paid wrestlers of that era. By the time of his death in 1993, his estate was worth approximately $5 million.
Jean never relied solely on Andre’s financial support. She maintained her own career and income sources throughout their relationship and after his death. Her independent streak showed in her choice to work rather than live off Andre’s wealth.
The child support payments she received for Robin provided some financial stability, but Jean continued working to support herself and her daughter. Her costume shop and freelance sewing work kept her active professionally well into her later years.
Lesser-Known Facts About Jean Christensen
Jean’s life contained interesting details that often get overlooked in discussions about Andre the Giant:
She returned to school to learn proper sewing techniques after learning she was pregnant. She went back to school and earned degrees in manufacturing techniques as well as fashion design and marketing. Jean wanted to be prepared in case Robin inherited her parents’ tall genes.
Her costume shop introduced colorful wrestling gear to an industry that primarily used solid black designs. Jean was among the first to bring vibrant, eye-catching costumes to wrestling, changing how wrestlers presented themselves.
Despite her height and striking appearance, Jean preferred staying out of the spotlight. She rarely gave interviews and avoided drawing attention to herself, even when her connection to Andre could have brought opportunities.
Jean maintained friendships from her wrestling days throughout her life. People who knew her described her as passionate, outspoken, and deeply committed to her craft as a costume designer.
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Robin Christensen-Roussimoff’s Legacy
Robin has worked to honor both her parents’ memories. She served as a consultant for the documentary “Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven” and appeared in the 2018 HBO documentary “Andre the Giant.”
Robin briefly pursued a career in professional wrestling, although she did not reach the iconic status of her father. She tried following in Andre’s footsteps but eventually chose a different path.
As of 2024, Robin’s net worth is estimated between $5 million and $10 million. She inherited most of her father’s estate and has managed those assets while maintaining some involvement in the wrestling community.
Robin occasionally appears at wrestling conventions where she shares memorabilia and memories of her father. She’s helped keep Andre’s legacy alive for new generations of wrestling fans who never saw him perform.
The Complex Reality of Their Relationship
Jean and Andre’s relationship wasn’t the fairy tale some people imagine. They faced real challenges that strained their partnership and ultimately led to their separation shortly after Robin’s birth.
Andre’s managers and entourage sometimes complicated matters. According to accounts, they tried to limit Andre’s financial obligations and discouraged his involvement with Jean and Robin. This created additional tension beyond the normal relationship challenges.
The physical reality of Andre’s condition made normal family life difficult. His size required special accommodations for everything from furniture to transportation. Health problems caused him significant pain, especially in his later years.
Their bond was built on mutual respect, shared experiences in a grueling industry, and an understanding of the pressures that came with fame. Despite the difficulties, Jean and Andre shared genuine affection and understood each other’s challenges in unique ways.
Jean Christensen’s Final Years
Jean Christensen passed away in 2008 at age 74. Details about her death remain private, keeping with her lifelong preference for privacy. She spent her final years in the Seattle area, close to Robin.
She had witnessed her daughter grow into an independent adult and had seen Robin receive her inheritance from Andre’s estate. Jean could take satisfaction in knowing she’d successfully raised Robin through difficult circumstances.
Her costume shop and design work continued nearly until the end of her life. Jean maintained her creative spirit and professional pride, working with clients and creating costumes that brought joy to performers and customers.
Friends and colleagues remembered her as a strong, graceful woman who handled extraordinary circumstances with dignity. She never sought fame or attention, content to let her work and character speak for themselves.
Conclusion
Jean Christensen’s story shows a woman who built her own identity beyond being “Andre the Giant’s partner.” She succeeded as a model, pioneered work in wrestling PR, and raised a daughter under challenging circumstances.
Her 6-foot-4-inch height made her stand out physically, but her strength of character defined her true stature. She handled the complexities of loving a man whose fame and physical condition created constant challenges.
Jean’s contributions to wrestling promotion and costume design influenced the industry in ways that people still benefit from today. She brought professionalism, creativity, and visual flair to entertainment fields that welcomed her talents.
Most importantly, she gave Robin Christensen-Roussimoff the stable foundation needed to honor her father’s memory while creating her own life. Jean’s legacy lives through her daughter and through the countless wrestlers who benefited from her promotional work and costume designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How tall was Jean Christensen?
Jean Christensen stood 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall. Her impressive height helped her succeed in modeling during the 1970s and made her stand out in both the fashion and wrestling industries.
2. Did Jean Christensen and Andre the Giant get married?
Jean and Andre married in Canada but never registered their marriage license in the United States. This means they were never legally considered married in the U.S., though they functioned as committed partners for several years.
3. What was Jean Christensen’s net worth?
Jean Christensen’s net worth was approximately $100,000 at the time of her death in 2008. She earned this through her careers in modeling, wrestling public relations, and costume design work.
4. When did Jean Christensen die?
Jean Christensen died in 2008 at the age of 74. She spent her final years in the Seattle area, where she had raised her daughter Robin. Details about her death remain private.
5. What happened to Jean Christensen and Andre the Giant’s daughter?
Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, born in 1979, inherited most of her father’s estate. She briefly pursued wrestling, worked as a consultant on documentaries about her father, and maintains some involvement in the wrestling community. Her net worth is estimated between $5-10 million as of 2024.
