Posted By James Walsh on 06/06/25


Wrestling legend Ric Flair has been diagnosed with skin cancer, he tells PEOPLE exclusively, for the "second time in three years."

The WWE star, 76, says he will begin treatment next week.

"It’s the second time in three years that I’ve been dealing with skin cancer," Flair says. "I will be undergoing treatment next week."

Flair had denied reports that he had cancer on X on Thursday to keep his diagnosis private, but was ready to share the news, adding to PEOPLE: "Appreciate the concerns!"

Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Flair has previously dealt with significant health issues, and in August 2017, Flair was hospitalized with stomach pains.

A few hours after he checked in to the hospital, Flair was in the early stages of kidney failure and close to congestive heart failure, the result of alcohol abuse. His family members were told he only had 20% odds of surviving and he was put in a medically induced coma. His doctors later removed part of his bowel and inserted a pacemaker.
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When he and his partner of 13 years, Wendy Barlow, split in Sept. 2024, he thanked her for being with him through his 2017 health crisis.

“I’ll Never Ever Be Able To Thank Her Enough For Standing By My Side Through My Terrible Health Crisis In 2017,” Flair wrote in a statement posted on his X and Instagram accounts on Monday, Sept. 23. “She Never Left My Side! And For That I Will Always Be Grateful!”