The Iron Sheik’s Actual Age Unclear At The Time Of Passing

The Iron Sheik will forever be regarded as a true legend in the world of professional wrestling for breaking barriers and establishing himself as a true Superstar. He recently passed away and the world continues to mourn his demise. That said, it appears his actual age at the time of passing remains unclear.

As previously reported, the official Iron Sheik Twitter account confirmed The Iron Sheik passed away on June 7th this week. Reports stated that he was 81 years old at the time of his passing.

However, according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is a lot of uncertainty when it came to The Iron Sheik’s actual age. Meltzer added that even The Iron Sheik himself was not sure when he was born.

He was listed as being 81 years old, but given he didn’t know his own birthday and there are different years listed in different places at different times for his birth, it’s more safe to say he was probably 80, and may have been as old as 84.

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He was listed as being born on March 15, 1942. In 1983 when I saw the Texas database with listed birthdays for pro wrestlers who were licensed in the state, his birthday at the time was listed in their records as March 15, 1939. His biographer, Keith Elliot Greenberg, who wrote what he once said was the best wrestling biography never published, said he was actually born September 9, 1942, which would have made him 80.

The March birthday that’s on his passport is incorrect,” said Greenberg. “He celebrated the September date in coordination with the Persian calendar. He told me he was born in 1942.

Greenberg did admit in an article on Sheik that Sheik was not exactly sure when he was born.

The Iron Sheik’s last-ever tweet showed love for Bret Hart. Even Hulk Hogan broke his silence after his legendary rival passed away. The Iron Sheik was a pop culture iron for years, and many will miss his influence on the world. No matter what, his contributions to the world of professional wrestling will never be forgotten.

What’s your view on this bizarre story? What is your favorite memory of The Iron Sheik? Let us know in the comments!