Andre The Giant's Bond With A Young Stephanie McMahon, Explained
Robert King
Published Mar 28, 2026
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In the world of professional wrestling, there have been many larger-than-life characters, from Hulk Hogan to The Rock to Roman Reigns, but perhaps only one larger-than-life man in André the Giant. Known for his immense size and extraordinary talent, André left an indelible mark on the industry and pop culture, as he was also one of the stars of The Princess Bride. However, beyond his wrestling and acting accolades, André the Giant shared a unique and heartwarming bond with a young Stephanie McMahon, daughter of Vince McMahon. It is a friendship that still means a lot to Stephanie McMahon this day, three decades after the giant passed away.
How Stephanie McMahon And Andre The Giant Became Friends
The initial encounter between André the Giant and Stephanie McMahon took place during the 1980s. As a child, Stephanie grew up around the wrestling business, surrounded by larger-than-life personalities. Yet, it was André's gentle and kind demeanor that immediately captivated her. Despite his enormous stature, André's interactions with Stephanie were marked by warmth and tenderness, forming the foundation of their unique relationship. Speaking to D Magazine in 2022, Stephanie revealed how she became friends with Andre. "I knew my friend, and I didn't like how people treated him differently just because of his size. And that was actually how we bonded because I asked him one day if it bothered him. And I think he was surprised that such a little person would ask him such a big question. That was the genesis of our relationship."
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During the vibrant era of professional wrestling in the 1980s, André the Giant stood out as one of the industry's biggest draws. Meanwhile, Stephanie McMahon, born in 1976, was exposed to the exhilarating world of WWE at a young age. As a child, she had the privilege of attending numerous WWE shows, including the historic inaugural WrestleMania event held in 1985. On a recent episode of A&E's WWE Rivals, Stephanie McMahon shared a recollection of an incident where she unintentionally fell asleep on the lap of the towering seven-foot-four Frenchman, André the Giant, at a post-WrestleMania party. She said, "Andre and I, we were friends. WrestleMania 1, I sat on Andre the Giant's lap and actually fell asleep at the WrestleMania after-party. You felt this unbelievable energy from him. He had such a presence, such a connection to the people."
Stephanie McMahon's Favorite WrestleMania Moment Included Andre The Giant
Across multiple generations, the McMahon family has played a significant role in both the administrative aspects and memorable occurrences at the grand spectacle known as WrestleMania. When inquired about her personal favorite WrestleMania moment, Stephanie McMahon expressed that her most cherished memory stems from the third installment of the event. Specifically, the monumental showdown between two legends, Hulk Hogan and André the Giant. She told D Magazine, "There are so many. One of my earliest ones—because of my relationship with Andre, I was obviously keyed in when he was involved with anything, and WrestleMania 3 at the Pontiac Silverdome, [when he wrestled] against Hulk Hogan. That may be one of most favorite WrestleMania moments not because of the moment that happened but because of the promotion, because of how big it all was when it went down. That’s when we broke the world indoor attendance record. The Pontiac Silverdome doesn’t even exist anymore, and to think that I was there that night is pretty powerful stuff."
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Andre the Giant forged a deep friendship with the McMahon family, becoming an honorary member. His contributions to the wrestling industry were duly recognized when he became the first-ever inductee into the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame in 1993. This momentous occasion marked a significant milestone, paving the way for future generations of extraordinary and larger-than-life superstars to be honored and celebrated.
