Dwayne Johnson’s Parents Are Connected to WWE Like Their Famous Son – Facts about His Mother and Father

Dwayne Johnson is a high-profile actor and a WWE legend. Dwayne Johnson’s parents played a significant role in his wrestling career, especially his father, who trained the former wrestler also known as “The Rock.”

Dwayne’s father began wrestling at a young age, and WWE marked him as one of the most noteworthy performers in sports entertainment. Dwayne’s mother also comes from a family of wrestlers.

Even though Dwayne Johnson’s parents separated in 2003, both were instrumental to his career success. While paying tribute to his late father, the actor stated that his father taught him many lessons.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson with his parents at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on May 19, 2015, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dwayne’s Father Became His Trainer

Dwayne’s father, the late Rocky Johnson, was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1944. His birth name was Wade Douglas Bowles. However, he changed his name to Rocky in tribute to boxing champions Rocky Marciano and Jack Johnson.

Dwayne’s father began his career as a boxer but eventually chose wrestling as his profession and fully entered the industry with the National Wrestling Alliance in the mid-1960s.

Rocky, known as “Soul Man,” was a pro in wrestling and in the first black tag team to win a WWE championship. After retirement, Rocky trained his son to become a WWE fighter. It was through his father’s tough training that Dwayne became a renowned WWE wrestler.

WWE superstar Rocky Johnson at the Hard Rock Cafe New York on October 20, 2011, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

In 2008, Dwayne inducted his father’s name into the WWE Hall of Fame and honored him as one of the most influential performers in sports entertainment.

Growing up, Dwayne Johnson said he hated his mother’s struggles; for that reason, he enjoys spoiling her by giving her the best things in life.

Rocky had two wives; Una Johnson was his first wife, and the two share two children, Curtis Bowles and Wanda Bowles. He married his second wife, Ata Johnson, after welcoming their son Dwayne in 1972.

Rocky passed on, aged 72, on January 15, 2020, after suffering from a pulmonary embolism as a result of a blood clot in his body. A year and a half after his death, Dwayne shared an emotional message on Instagram in honor of his father.

The celebrated actor said that although he didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to his father, he was grateful for the lessons he learned. Dwayne, who is one of the highest-paid actors globally, revealed that he had a complicated relationship with his father.

The “Moana” voice actor encouraged people in a similar situation to mend those connections with their loved ones. Even though Dwayne and Rocky didn’t have a great relationship, the actor spread nothing but love in a tribute speech to his late father.

Dwayne Johnson and his mom, Ata Johnson at the El Capitan Theatre on November 14, 2016 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Dwayne’s Mother Came from a Famous Wrestling Family

Dwayne’s mother, Ata, was born in Hawaii on October 25, 1948, to Peter Fenene Maivia and Lia Maivia. Her birth name is Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia, and she is a member of the recognized Samoan Anoai wrestling family.

Both of Ata’s parents were wrestlers. Her father, Peter, was a professional wrestler who started his career in New Zealand before joining the WWE, then the WWF in the 70s. Ata’s mom was among the first female wrestling promoters.

Because of his experience in the combat sport, Ata’s father trained Dwayne’s father, who later became a well-known wrestler.

Actor Dwayne Johnson and his mother Ata Johnson at the El Capitan Theatre on November 14, 2016 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Despite giving birth to Dwayne on May 2, 1972, Ata didn’t marry Dwayne’s father until 1978. After being married for 25 years, the couple called it quits in 2003, and Ata never remarried.

While Ata was no longer with Dwayne’s father, she threw everything into raising her son regardless of the challenges. Dwayne would later reveal a lot about his mother and their challenges growing up. On Mothers’ Day 2015, the “Red Notice” star shared a moving story on Instagram about what he and his mom went through and how far they’ve come.

The actor reflected on the struggles he and his mom went through while growing up and how they were evicted from their apartment in Hawaii because they couldn’t afford to pay $180 weekly rent.

After going through all those struggles, Ata is living a good life and is proud of the milestones her son has made. Ata has been a great support system to Dwayne’s career, and the two share a special bond.

Growing up, Dwayne Johnson said he hated his mother’s struggles; for that reason, he enjoys spoiling her by giving her the best things in life. In June 2022, the Hollywood star surprised his mom with a new house.

The 50-year-old shared on Instagram a short clip of his mother shedding tears of joy as she toured her new home, which was decorated with her favorite artifacts. Dwayne stated that it took him and the design team 8 weeks to ensure everything was ready.

The WWE champion revealed that he felt blessed to have been able to buy his mother a few homes over the years, but the new house was special because it was her dream home.

Dwayne Johnson Is Not the Only Child of His Father

Rocky was previously married before he met Ata. Dwayne has two half-siblings: his brother Curtis and sister Wanda. Unlike their celebrity brother, Dwayne’s siblings live low-key lives and seem to prefer life out of the public eye.

Even though not much is known about Dwayne’s siblings, Rocky recognized all his three children when he got inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

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