The Shocking Truth: Ric Flair’s Two Near-Fatal Heart Crises—Including One During His ‘Last Match’

The "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, a name synonymous with professional wrestling excellence and a legendary, hard-partying lifestyle, has faced two distinct and near-fatal health crises involving his heart. The latest and most shocking revelation, confirmed in late 2023 and early 2024, is that the 16-time World Champion suffered a legitimate heart attack during his highly publicized final match in 2022, a fact he only learned months later.

As of today, December 17, 2025, Flair continues to make public appearances, including a recent, though non-wrestling, role with AEW, but his medical history is a stark reminder of the physical toll his career and lifestyle have taken. This article details the full timeline of his heart-related health battles, from the life-threatening 2017 emergency to the silent, in-ring heart attack that went undiagnosed for months.

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair: Complete Biography Profile

Full Name: Richard Morgan Fliehr

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

Ring Name: Ric Flair, "The Nature Boy"

Born: February 25, 1949

Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)

Weight: Approximately 243 lbs (110 kg) (during his prime)

Career Highlights:

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

• Recognized by WWE as a 16-time World Champion (8-time NWA World Heavyweight, 6-time WCW World Heavyweight, 2-time WWF Champion).
• First two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2008 for his individual career, Class of 2012 as a member of The Four Horsemen).
• Only man to win the NWA, WCW, and WWF World Championships.
• Member of legendary stables like The Four Horsemen and Evolution.

Family:

• Married multiple times (currently married to Wendy Barlow).
• Father to four children: Megan Fliehr, Ashley Fliehr (known professionally as WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair), Reid Fliehr (deceased), and David Fliehr.

The 2017 Crisis: Septic Shock and Congestive Heart Failure

The first major health scare that brought Ric Flair to the brink of death occurred in August 2017. This event was a complex medical emergency that involved multiple organs, with the heart being severely impacted.

From Ruptured Intestine to Life Support

Flair was hospitalized with severe abdominal pain, which was quickly diagnosed as a ruptured intestine. The rupture led to a life-threatening condition known as septic shock, where the body’s response to infection causes dangerously low blood pressure and organ failure.

The situation escalated rapidly. Doctors discovered Flair was in the early stages of kidney failure and was on the verge of congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF is a chronic condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump blood efficiently enough to meet the body's needs, often due to years of strain.

A 30% Chance of Survival

The medical team gave Flair a grim 30% chance of survival. The doctors attributed a significant portion of the organ damage, including the stress on his heart, to years of heavy alcohol consumption, a lifestyle he openly discussed as part of his "Nature Boy" persona.

Flair spent weeks in the hospital, undergoing life-saving surgery to remove a portion of his bowel and having a pacemaker inserted to manage his heart's rhythm. This 2017 ordeal was a case of heart failure and multi-organ shutdown, not a typical myocardial infarction (heart attack), but it permanently altered his cardiac health and life.

The 2022 Revelation: A Silent In-Ring Heart Attack

Despite the near-death experience in 2017, Ric Flair trained for and competed in what was billed as his "Last Match" on July 31, 2022, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. The shocking news emerged over a year later: Flair had a heart attack during the match itself.

The Final Match Details

The event, titled Ric Flair's Last Match, saw the 73-year-old legend team up with his son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo, to face the team of Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal. The match was highly emotional and physically demanding, with Flair visibly struggling at points, requiring medical assistance in the ring.

Flair has since admitted that he felt significant distress during the bout, but attributed it to exhaustion and the pressure of the moment.

Learning the Truth via a Calcium Scan

The truth about the 2022 match only came to light in late 2023, after Flair underwent a calcium scan, a non-invasive test that measures the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. The results of the scan revealed that he had suffered a legitimate heart attack during the match.

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, often by a blood clot. Flair's revelation underscores how the symptoms of a heart attack can sometimes be subtle or mistaken for other forms of extreme physical exhaustion, especially in a high-stress environment like a professional wrestling ring.

The Long-Term Impact and Current Health Status (2025)

Ric Flair's willingness to be open about his health struggles, particularly the two distinct cardiac events, has provided a critical, real-world look at the long-term consequences of a high-impact career and a hard-living lifestyle.

Ongoing Health Management

Following the 2017 crisis, Flair has maintained a strict regimen to manage his congestive heart failure and other related conditions. The discovery of the 2022 heart attack through the calcium scan has further emphasized the need for continuous monitoring and management of his cardiovascular health.

In addition to his heart issues, Flair has dealt with other injuries and health scares, including recent issues in 2024 and 2025 like a rotator cuff injury and missing an advertised appearance at the AEW Blood and Guts event.

A Legacy of Resilience

Despite the constant health battles, Flair remains active in the public eye, leveraging his massive star power and the "Nature Boy" brand. His story is a testament to incredible resilience, having survived septic shock, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, and a legitimate heart attack. His continued presence in the wrestling world, even in non-wrestling roles, demonstrates his enduring passion for the industry.

The revelation of the 2022 in-ring heart attack serves as a final, dramatic chapter to his in-ring career—a silent, near-fatal moment of reality in a world built on performance. It is a powerful message about the hidden dangers of pushing the human body to its limits, even for a legendary figure like Richard Morgan Fliehr.