Bret Hart

Bret Hart is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, widely regarded as one of the finest in-ring performers the sport has ever produced. Wrestling under the nickname the Hitman, he built his reputation on technical skill and storytelling rather than spectacle, and is credited with helping shift mainstream North American wrestling toward a more athletic, match-driven style in the early 1990s. A second-generation star from the famous Hart family of Calgary, he came up through his father's Stampede Wrestling promotion before becoming a marquee champion in the WWF, where he led the Hart Foundation and headlined for years. He is also permanently linked to one of the industry's most infamous moments, the 1997 Montreal Screwjob, in which a real-life double-cross during a title match ended his WWF tenure under bitter circumstances. After a stint in rival promotion WCW, a serious in-ring concussion forced his retirement, and he later survived a stroke. Hart is admired for his insistence on craft and safety in a business known for excess, and for the protective pride he took in his performances. He remains a beloved figure to wrestling fans and a frequent reference point in debates about the greatest of all time.[edit]

Bret Hart grew up in Calgary as the eighth of twelve children in the Hart wrestling family. His father, Stu Hart, ran Stampede Wrestling and trained wrestlers in the basement dungeon of the family home. Young Bret was artistic and shy, more interested in drawing, filmmaking, and playing drums than in wrestling. He excelled in school, particularly in English and art, and was a standout amateur wrestler, winning the city championship for his high school. He briefly attended the University of Calgary to study art and photography. Despite his initial reluctance, he started working for his father's promotion as a referee and photographer. Stu eventually convinced him to train in the Hart Dungeon, and he made his professional debut in 1978, initially tagging with his brother Keith in Stampede Wrestling.[edit]

Hart signed with the WWF in 1984 and was paired with Jim Neidhart and manager Jimmy Hart to form the Hart Foundation. They won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1987. After the team dissolved, Hart's singles push began in earnest. He won the Intercontinental Championship from Mr. Perfect at SummerSlam 1991 in a match widely considered a classic. In 1992, he captured his first WWF Championship from Ric Flair in Saskatoon. He won the 1993 Royal Rumble and the King of the Ring tournament. At WrestleMania X in 1994, he won the WWF Championship for a second time, defeating Yokozuna in the main event. His feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1996 and 1997 produced some of the most celebrated matches in history, including their submission match at WrestleMania 13. At Survivor Series 1997, the Montreal Screwjob saw Hart lose the WWF Championship to Shawn Michaels under disputed circumstances, ending his WWF run. He moved to WCW, where he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice. A severe concussion from a kick by Bill Goldberg in 2000 forced his retirement. He returned to WWE in 2010 as Raw General Manager and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 individually and again in 2019 as part of the Hart Foundation.[edit]

Hart's public persona is that of a principled, serious technician who valued wrestling as an art form. His catchphrase, "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be," encapsulates his self-assured pride. His signature look featured pink and black tights, sunglasses, and a leather jacket. Fans, known for wearing pink and black, still chant "You screwed Bret!" at WWE events years after the Montreal Screwjob. On social media, Hart is active and opinionated, often posting nostalgic photos and commenting on modern wrestling. He is seen as a tragic figure who stood for integrity in a cutthroat business.[edit]

The community surrounding Bret Hart lacks a formal collective noun, though supporters are frequently identified as "Hart fans" or part of the broader "WWE Universe," often united by a deep reverence for the "Hart Dynasty." This audience distinguishes itself through a prioritization of technical in-ring psychology over spectacle, treating matches involving the Hitman as educational masterclasses. A distinct ritual involves the reenactment of the Sharpshooter submission hold at live events, while the fanbase remains vocal regarding historical narratives and family lore. Within this landscape of dedicated followers, iFANN Global Fame Rankings have positioned him with notable precision. Current data places him as the 77th most famous person from Canada, a standing that has held steady across recent measurement cycles. Furthermore, within his specific discipline, he is ranked as the 25th most famous person in Pro Wrestling, maintaining his position firmly among the industry's elite. These placements reflect a sustained global attention span that tracks media coverage and cultural consumption signals worldwide, ensuring his legacy remains quantified alongside contemporary stars.[edit]

Bret Hart designed his iconic pink and black ring gear himself and invented the Sharpshooter submission hold, one of wrestling's most famous moves. Before entering the ring, he took the promotional photos for Stampede Wrestling, and he is a confirmed huge Beatles fan. His autobiography, titled Bret Hitman Hart: The Best There Is, Was, and Ever Will Be, became a New York Times bestseller. He has granted over 100 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and received a Humanitarian of the Year award from them. Beyond these facts, his legend is anchored by the Montreal Screwjob, a verified event where he was stripped of the WWF Championship without consent during a match against Shawn Michaels. This incident is universally cited as the moment that ended the Golden Era of wrestling. Another cornerstone of his reputation is his 1993 King of the Ring performance, where his "This is Wrestling" promo established him as the face of the company. Recent lore also includes his celebrated return to Monday Night Raw in August 2026, which reignited discussions about his status as the archetype of the technical champion.[edit]

Bret Hart is the eighth of twelve children born to Stu Hart, a wrestler and promoter, and Helen Hart. Several of his brothers, including Owen, Keith, Bruce, and Dean, also became wrestlers. His brothers-in-law include Jim Neidhart and Davey Boy Smith. Hart has four children from his first marriage to Julie Smadu: Jade, Dallas, Alexandra, and Blade. He also has a daughter, Beatrice, from a relationship with Cinzia Rota. He lives in Calgary and remains close to his surviving siblings.[edit]

Hart frequently wrestled and feuded with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, and his brother Owen Hart. He was a key member of the Hart Foundation alongside Jim Neidhart and Davey Boy Smith. His career is deeply intertwined with the Hart family legacy.[edit]

Bret Hart married his first wife, Julie Smadu, in 1982. They had four children together before divorcing in 2002, a period marked by Hart's infidelities and the tragic death of his brother Owen. After the divorce, he was engaged to Cinzia Rota from 2002 to 2009, with whom he had a daughter, Beatrice. He briefly dated Stephanie Washington from 2009 to 2010. In 2010, he married Dru Anne, but the couple divorced in 2022. As of 2026, Hart is single and not publicly known to be in a relationship.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Bret Hart's net worth stands at $12 million as of 2026. This valuation reflects a career built on high-value contracts, including a reported $10 million deal with WCW in the late 1990s, alongside his long tenure as a marquee star in the WWF. His financial portfolio extends beyond active competition into royalties generated by video games, merchandise, and his bestselling autobiography. Additionally, Hart continues to generate revenue through speaking engagements, convention appearances, and occasional WWE appearances.[edit]

Bret Hart has won numerous championships and honors. He is a five-time WWF Champion, two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, and two-time WWF Tag Team Champion. He won the 1993 Royal Rumble and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice. In 2020, he was appointed to the Order of Canada.[edit]