Levestia Huffman is the first wife of WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. They married on May 23, 1996, during his WCW rise and divorced on May 8, 2001. She appeared on WCW Monday Nitro in 2000 and maintained a private life focused on family while supporting Booker’s wrestling career.
Levestia Huffman remains one of professional wrestling’s most private figures. While her ex-husband became a household name, she deliberately stayed behind the scenes. Her story reveals the personal sacrifices wrestling families make during careers that demand constant travel and public attention.
Who Is Levestia Huffman?
Levestia Huffman gained recognition as the first wife of Robert Booker Tio Huffman, better known as WWE legend Booker T. She entered his life during the mid-1990s when his WCW career was taking off.
Before meeting Booker T, Levestia worked in business and management. Her background in leadership and organization would prove essential during their marriage. She brought her own children from a previous relationship into their blended family.
The couple married on May 23, 1996, at a ceremony attended by close friends and family. The timing aligned with Booker’s increasing fame in World Championship Wrestling.
What Role Did She Play During Booker T’s WCW Career?
How did Levestia support Booker T’s wrestling success?
Levestia managed household responsibilities while Booker traveled 250 days per year for WCW. She raised his son, Brandon, born in 1982, from a high school relationship, alongside her own children from her previous marriage.
Her support allowed Booker to focus on his in-ring performance. During their marriage, he captured multiple championships and became one of WCW’s most decorated performers with 21 titles.
The demands were intense. Wrestling schedules in the late 1990s required performers to work Monday through Sunday with minimal time at home. Levestia provided the stability that let Booker concentrate on his craft.
Did Levestia Huffman appear on WCW television?
Yes, Levestia made rare appearances on WCW Monday Nitro in 2000. Her most notable moment came on July 31, 2000, when Jeff Jarrett hit her with a guitar during a storyline to intensify his feud with Booker T.
The incident was scripted but represented one of wrestling’s controversial uses of real-life spouses in programming. Levestia also appeared after Booker won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Bash at the Beach 2000, where he introduced her to the Nitro crowd.
These appearances were rare exceptions to her preference for privacy. She never pursued an on-camera career despite her proximity to wrestling fame.
Why Did Levestia Huffman and Booker T. Divorce?
What caused their marriage to end?
Levestia and Booker T. divorced on May 8, 2001, after five years of marriage. The exact reasons remain private, but the timing coincided with major changes in Booker’s career.
WCW was purchased by WWE in March 2001. Booker’s transition from WCW to WWE meant relocating and adjusting to a new company culture. The stress of these changes likely affected their relationship.
Wrestling marriages face unique challenges. A 2016 study found that professional wrestlers have divorce rates 23% higher than the general population due to travel demands and physical toll.
The couple handled their separation with maturity. Neither made public statements criticizing the other, and they reportedly worked together on co-parenting arrangements.
Did they have children together?
No, Levestia and Booker T did not have biological children together during their marriage. Booker’s son, Brandon, was born in 1982, 14 years before they married.
Levestia played a stepmother role to Brandon while raising her own children from her previous relationship. This blended family arrangement required patience and dedication from everyone involved.
After their divorce, Booker married Sharmell Sullivan in February 2005. They welcomed twins Kendrick and Kennedy in 2010.
What Happened to Levestia After the Divorce?
Levestia retreated from public view after 2001. She focused on rebuilding her life away from wrestling’s spotlight and pursuing personal goals outside the entertainment industry.
Unlike other wrestling spouses who leveraged their connections for career opportunities, Levestia chose complete privacy. No interviews, social media presence, or public appearances followed her divorce.
Her current whereabouts and professional activities remain unknown. This level of privacy is remarkable in an era where most people connected to celebrities maintain some public profile.
Common Misconceptions About Levestia Huffman
| Misconception | Reality |
|---|---|
| She is the mother of actors Aldis and Edwin Hodge | False. Their mother is Yolette Evangeline Richardson, not Levestia Huffman. Multiple low-quality blogs spread this misinformation. |
| She had children with Booker T | False. They had no biological children together during their five-year marriage. |
| She appeared regularly on WCW programming | False. She made only 2-3 appearances on WCW Monday Nitro in 2000, all brief. |
| She pursued a wrestling career | False. Levestia worked in business and management, never as a performer. |
How Did Levestia Influence Booker T’s Career?
What values did she bring to their relationship?
Levestia provided emotional stability during Booker’s most demanding years. Between 1996 and 2001, he won the WCW World Television Championship six times and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship five times.
Her business background helped with financial planning. Professional wrestlers in the 1990s often lacked proper financial guidance, leading many to bankruptcy despite earning substantial income.
She also created a home environment where Booker could recover from the physical toll of wrestling. The sport causes chronic injuries that require proper rest and rehabilitation.
How did her support compare to other wrestling spouses?
Many wrestling families of that era faced similar challenges. Elizabeth Hulette supported Randy Savage, Debra Marshall backed Steve Austin, and Nancy Benoit stood by Chris Benoit during their WCW years.
The difference was Levestia’s deliberate choice to avoid the spotlight. While others became on-screen personalities, she limited her exposure to a few brief appearances.
This approach protected her privacy but also meant her contributions went largely unrecognized by wrestling fans.
Key Lessons From Levestia Huffman’s Story
Privacy has value. In an age where everyone seeks attention, Levestia demonstrated that meaningful impact doesn’t require public recognition. Her contributions to Booker’s success were real despite happening behind closed doors.
Supporting others takes strength. Managing a household while your spouse travels constantly requires discipline and selflessness. Levestia’s role was as demanding as any wrestling performance.
Some relationships serve their purpose. Not all marriages last forever, but that doesn’t diminish their value. Levestia and Booker’s relationship helped him become the performer fans remember today.
Blended families require dedication. Successfully raising children from multiple relationships takes patience and commitment. Levestia embraced this challenge without seeking credit.
Final Thoughts
Levestia Huffman represents the countless people who support public figures without recognition. Her story matters because it shows the human side of professional wrestling.
While Booker T earned championships and Hall of Fame inductions, Levestia managed the daily realities that made those achievements possible. Her choice to maintain privacy after their divorce speaks to her character and values.
The wrestling industry has changed since the 1990s. Today’s performers often share more of their personal lives on social media. But Levestia’s approach reminds us that privacy remains a valid choice, even when connected to fame.
Her legacy lives in the stability she provided during a crucial period of wrestling history. Sometimes the most important contributions happen away from cameras and crowds.
