Roman Reigns Biography: WWE, Age, Net Worth, Family, Wiki, Real Name, Still Alive?

Leati Joseph Anoaʻi — better known to wrestling fans worldwide as Roman Reigns — rose from a collegiate football standout to one of WWE’s most dominant and polarizing figures. Nicknamed “The Tribal Chief,” Reigns has been central to modern WWE storytelling, combining athleticism, family legacy, and a compelling character arc that transformed booing crowds into grudging respect. This biography covers his early life, athletic beginnings, WWE career, personal life, health battles, major achievements, and his legacy.

Early Life & Family

Born Leati Joseph Anoaʻi on May 25, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida, Roman Reigns grew up in a household steeped in pro-wrestling history. He’s a member of the famed Anoaʻi family — a Samoan wrestling dynasty that includes names like Rikishi, Yokozuna, Umaga, and The Usos. His father, Sika Anoaʻi, was one half of the Wild Samoans tag team, and the family legacy profoundly influenced Roman’s eventual path into wrestling.

Reigns attended Pensacola Catholic High School and later Escambia High School before earning a scholarship to the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), where he studied management and played college football. At Georgia Tech he became a three-year starter and earned First-Team All-ACC honors in 2006 — a sign of his athletic talent well before WWE spotlighted him.

Football Career: NFL Attempts & CFL Stint

After graduating, Reigns pursued professional football. He went undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft but had brief off-season stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars. He also played a season in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2008 before stepping away from football — a decision that would lead him into the family business of professional wrestling.

Entering WWE: The Shield and Early Success

Signed by WWE in 2010, he trained at the company’s developmental system and debuted on the main roster in 2012 as part of The Shield alongside Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. The Shield made an immediate impact, blending teamwork, intensity, and a unique look that revived WWE’s faction storytelling. As a member of The Shield, Reigns captured tag-team gold and showcased the power and presence that would later define his singles career.

Singles Career & “The Tribal Chief” Persona

Following The Shield’s breakup, Reigns transitioned to a singles competitor. After years of being positioned as a top babyface — sometimes to polarizing crowd reactions — his 2020 character reinvention into the cocky, authoritarian “Tribal Chief” / Undisputed WWE Universal Champion changed his career trajectory. Flanked by members of his family (The Usos, Solo Sikoa) and with Paul Heyman as his special counsel, Reigns became a dominant champion and one of wrestling’s most compelling long-term characters.

One of the most notable facts of his run: Reigns held the WWE Universal Championship for an extraordinarily long period (over 1,300 days), a reign that WWE and multiple outlets documented as among the longest modern-era title reigns in the company’s history. That historic run ended at WrestleMania 40, when Cody Rhodes defeated Reigns to capture the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

Championships & Career Highlights

• Multiple-time world champion in WWE, including long-standing Universal Championship reigns and Undisputed WWE Universal Championship matches.
• Member of The Shield, one of WWE’s most successful and influential factions of the 2010s.
• Recognized by many outlets as one of the top wrestlers of his era for in-ring psychology, character work, and storytelling.

Health Journey: Leukemia

Roman Reigns’ personal story includes a significant health chapter. He was first diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, during his early professional life. In 2018, he publicly revealed that his leukemia had returned; he relinquished the WWE Universal Championship to focus on treatment and announced later that same year he was in remission and returning to the ring. Reigns continues to manage chronic myeloid leukemia as a treatable condition and has been open about his ongoing treatment regimen and lifestyle adjustments.

Personal Life: Marriage & Children

Roman married Galina Becker in December 2014. The couple have five children: a daughter born in 2007 and two sets of twin sons (one set born in 2016 and another in 2020). Reigns often emphasizes family as a motivator and shield — both in life and in his WWE character’s on-screen narrative. He and his family live in Florida.

Acting & Media Appearances

Beyond the squared circle, Reigns has diversified into acting and media appearances. He’s appeared in films, TV projects, and numerous WWE-produced specials — leveraging his presence and charisma to cross into mainstream entertainment. His stature as a pop-culture figure grew alongside his in-ring prominence.

Legacy & Influence

Roman Reigns’ legacy is multifaceted: he’s a bridge between wrestling’s multi-generational Anoaʻi family history and WWE’s modern global entertainment product. His “Tribal Chief” run showcased long-form storytelling rarely sustained at such a high profile in modern wrestling, while his candidness about personal health elevated public discourse on athletes managing chronic conditions. Whether loved or booed, Reigns has changed the landscape of WWE main-eventing in the 2010s and 2020s.

FAQs

What is Roman Reigns’ real name?

His real name is Leati Joseph Anoaʻi.

When was Roman Reigns born?

He was born May 25, 1985, in Pensacola, Florida.

Did Roman Reigns play football professionally?

Yes — he played college football at Georgia Tech, had off-season stints with NFL teams in 2007, and played one season in the CFL for Edmonton in 2008.

Has Roman Reigns battled any illnesses?

Reigns was first diagnosed with leukemia in 2007 and revealed a return of the disease in 2018; he sought treatment, later announced remission, and continues to manage his condition.

What is Roman Reigns’ most notable WWE achievement?

Among his achievements is an exceptionally long WWE Universal Championship reign (over 1,300 days). That title run ended at WrestleMania 40 when Cody Rhodes defeated him.

Conclusion

Roman Reigns’ story is a study in legacy, reinvention, and endurance. From Georgia Tech football fields to the bright lights of WWE’s biggest arenas, he’s crafted a career that blends family tradition with modern star power. His “Tribal Chief” persona, championship longevity, and openness about personal health struggles have made him one of the most consequential professional wrestlers of his generation. Whether viewed as the hero WWE once intended or the dominant, complex ruler he became, Roman Reigns is undeniably a central figure in wrestling’s 21st-century narrative.