Birth name | Michael DiBiase |
---|---|
Born |
New York City, New York, United States |
December 24, 1923
Died | July 2, 1969 Lubbock, Texas, United States |
(aged 45)
Spouse(s) | Helen Hild (m. 1958–69) |
Children | Ted DiBiase (adopted stepson) |
Family |
Ted DiBiase Jr. (stepgrandson) Mike DiBiase (stepgrandson) Brett DiBiase (stepgrandson) |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Mike DiBiase Miguel Lopez |
Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Billed weight | 230 lb (100 kg) |
Billed from | Italy |
Debut | 1950 |
Retired | 1968 |
Michael DiBiase (December 24, 1923 – July 2, 1969) was an Italian American professional wrestler, also known by his ring name "Iron" Mike DiBiase. The adoptive father of professional wrestler "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, he was married to Ted's mother Helen Hild (also a professional wrestler), and was the grandfather of Mike, Ted Jr., and Brett DiBiase.
As an amateur wrestler, DiBiase, representing the US Navy, was the 1946 AAU champion in the UNL (open or heavyweight) division. He then wrestled at the University of Nebraska, and competed at UNL in the NCAA tournament in 1947 and 1948, losing his first round match both years.
DiBiase made his professional debut in 1950. In 1963, DiBiase became the 131st and last knockout victim of light heavyweight boxer Archie Moore.
DiBiase is one of several professional wrestlers to die during a match. On July 2, 1969, in Lubbock, Texas, DiBiase had a fatal heart attack in the ring during a match with Man Mountain Mike. Harley Race, recognizing a heart attack, attempted to perform CPR on DiBiase and then rode in the ambulance with him. DiBiase was pronounced dead at the hospital.