Lou Albano - Personal Life

Personal Life

Albano was born in 1933 in Rome, Italy to parents who emigrated to the United States shortly after his birth. Albano's father Carmen was a physician, and his mother Eleanor was a concert pianist. Lou grew up in Mount Vernon, N.Y. As a teenager, Lou played American football and wrestled at Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, before receiving scholarship offers from 25 Division 1 schools upon his graduation in 1951. Choosing the University of Tennessee, Albano had conflicts with his coach and left after one year. He then joined the army, and began training as a boxer, but was not considered a serious heavyweight prospect due to his limited height and reach. Albano met some pro wrestlers while working as a bouncer, and began his career in Montreal in 1953, the same year as his wedding. Both the marriage and the career would last for the rest of his life.

In 2008 he released his autobiography, Often Imitated, Never Duplicated with the foreword written by Cyndi Lauper.

The other Albano siblings are Vincent, George, Eleanor, and Carl, all of whom became teachers. Albano's brother, Carl, taught health for 32 years at Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and was head of the Ridgewood High health department from 1974 until 2001. Carl Albano's students have noted that he used his brother Lou as an example of the difference between crazy and unique. George C. Albano served as the Principal of Lincoln Elementary School in Mt. Vernon, NY and often brought Lou in to delight the school's students during their lunch hour.

During the 1990s, Albano shed 150 pounds (70 kg) following a health scare. In May 2005, Albano suffered a heart attack, but later recovered. Albano was sent home from the hospital and again began watching his health. On October 14, 2009, he died in his sleep from a heart attack. He was survived by his wife Geri, four children and 14 grandchildren. He was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Putnam County, New York.