Wrestling icon Ric Flair reveals cancer diagnosis for the ‘second time in three years’
Laura Harman
Published June 6, 2025 8:25pm Updated June 6, 2025 8:35pm
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Ric Flair attends the 44th Annual Sports Emmy Awards at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 22, 2023 in New York City.
The WWE icon has revealed his skin cancer has returned (Picture: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Ric Flair has revealed that his skin cancer has returned for the second time in three years.
The wrestling legend known as The Nature Boy, 76, revealed that he is set to begin treatment next week, only a few years after he was diagnosed the first time.
‘It’s the second time in three years that I’ve been dealing with skin cancer.
‘I will be undergoing treatment next week,’ Flair, whose real name is Richard Fliehr, told People.
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The wrestler has struggled with ill health over the years, and in 2017, he was hospitalised with early-stage kidney failure and close to congestive heart failure.
It was revealed at the time that this was due to alcohol abuse, and his family members were reportedly told he only had a 20% chance of survival.
Part of his bowel was removed, a pacemaker was inserted, and the star was put in a medically induced coma to heal.
After recovery, Flair has referred to the time as ‘My Terrible Health Crisis In 2017’.
Ric Flair (front) and Shawn Michaels wrestle in the Career Threatening Match at WrestleMania XXIV at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, March 30, 2008, in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images)
Flair is a respected member of the community (Picture: Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images)
The WWE Hall of Famer, who is recognised as a 16-time world champion.
He previously wrestled his ‘last match’ in July 2022, but has since made it clear he’d like to do more.
Flair scared fans earlier this year with some thinking he ‘wanted to die in the ring’ as he revealed he wanted to wrestle in AEW.
He claimed that his attempt to return to the ring was thwarted as boss Tony Khan snubbed the idea after learning he was ‘on blood thinners’.
‘He wouldn’t let me in the ring,’ Flair – who first retired in 2008 after losing to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania – told the Five Star Podcast.
Asked if he has ‘one more match’ left in him, the veteran wrestler said: ‘Hell yeah, I do!’
UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 24: Road Warrior Hawk squeezes the "Nature Boy" Rick Flair during their Heavy Weight bout at the 1988 Bunkhouse Stampede on January 24, 1988 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)
Flair is a legend in his field (Picture: B Bennett/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 17: Wrestler Ric Flair arrives at Sydney Airport on November 17, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
The wrestler recently split from his wife (Picture: Don Arnold/WireImage)
In September 2024, the wrestler split from his wife of 13 years, Wendy Barlow.
In an emotional statement on social media, Flair said they separated due to their respective work schedules.
‘Wendy and I enjoyed 13 great years. As with every couple, we have experienced our ups and downs,’ he wrote on his social channels.
‘I think it’s important for everyone to know right now that we have decided to part ways respectfully.’
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