Before pursuing a career in professional wrestling, Hennig became the Minnesota State High School Heavyweight Champion from Robbinsdale, Minnesota in 1954. He was awarded a scholarship from the University of Minnesota to wrestle and play football but had to quit due to the priorities of family and raising children. He had five children, including professional wrestler Curt Hennig. Curt died on February 10, 2003 of an acute cocaine intoxication. After the highly publicized death of Chris Benoit, Hennig shared a few words with "USA Today" regarding premature deaths in professional wrestling.