In America, where food is practically a secondary religion, chefs and cooks are celebrated personalities. Among the long list of celebrated chefs is Robert Irvine, who is known for several programs on the primary home of celebrity chefs, the Food Network. Since Robert Irvine became a part of America’s celebrity space, fans have come to learn several things about him, including the identity of his wife, Gail Kim, a former professional wrestler and wrestling champion.
Inside Gail Kim’s Early Life And Background
Gail Kim, who is of Korean origin, was born on the 20th of February, 1977 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There, she grew up and attended the York Memorial Collegiate Institute for her secondary education. At York Memorial, Kim participated actively in sporting activities.
Following her high school graduation, Gail Kim enrolled at the University of Toronto where she studied Kinesiology (otherwise called Human Kinetics). She, however, transferred to Ryerson University, changing her course of study to Nutrition in which she eventually earned her degree.
A Look At How Gail Kim Ventured Into Wrestling
On completing her university education, Kim decided to become a professional wrestler. She began her journey by joining Ron Hutchison’s School of Pro Wrestling in Toronto. On completing her training, Kim made her debut in 2000 at an event in December 2000 under Apocalypse Wrestling Federation. Over the next two years growing her career, Gail Kim fought under various independent wrestling promotion companies.
In October 2002, she joined the WWE, wrestling under the name, La Felina. She made her debut for the promotion company on June 30 in an episode of RAW, which was also a WWE Women’s Championship event. She won the match, becoming a champion from her very first match. Gail Kim spent two years with the WWE before leaving in November 2004.
Following her departure from the WWE, Gail Kim returned to the independent circuit, fighting in Japan and at Michigan’s All World Wrestling. She subsequently signed to Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling in 2005. Kim had two spells with TNA, with the first one lasting three years between 2005 and 2008. The second stint began in 2011 and lasted until February 2018 when she retired as a professional wrestler.
During her time with TNA as an active wrestler, she won a record-breaking seven Knockout Championships, along with other titles like Gauntlet for the Gold, World Cup, Tag Team Championship, and a couple of others. She was also inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2016, becoming the first female to receive such honor.
In between her double spells with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Gail Kim returned to World Wrestling Entertainment where she worked for two years between 2008 and 2011, fighting under brands like WrestleMania, Raw, and SmackDown.
Her Life After Wrestling
After retiring from active wrestling, Gail Kim began working as a producer and agent for Impact Wrestling, working with women wrestlers signed to the promotion company. In March 2020, Kim, alongside fellow former pro wrestlers, launched a wrestling show tagged KAYfABE. The show is a blend of professional wrestling and scripted drama inspired by true life events.
In addition to her career as a wrestler and a producer, Gail Kim has also worked as a model for a couple of brands. She has also worked as an actress, making appearances in Royal Kill, Dinner: Impossible, Guy’s Family Road Trip, Restaurant: Impossible, Family BrainSurge, and video games like WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2010 and WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011.
Gail Kim’s Relationship With Robert Irvine
Gail Kim tied the knot with Robert Irvine on the 10th of May, 2012. The two met in 2009, on the set of one of Irvine’s shows called Dinner: Impossible. That was while Irvine catered WWE Summerslam’s VIP lounge. She caught his eye and he made the move which has kept them together ever since. Their wedding which took place in Napa Valley, California, was documented on Wedding: Impossible, an episode of another one of Irvine’s shows, Restaurant: Impossible.
As earlier mentioned, Gail’s husband, Robert Irvine, is a renowned British television chef. In addition to the two aforementioned shows, Irvine is popular for shows like Worst Cooks in America, Chopped: Impossible, Operation Restaurant, among a few others. He has also worked as Donald Trump’s executive chef. Irvine also owns a restaurant in Las Vegas called Robert Irvine’s Public House, located precisely at The Tropicana.
Looking at Kim and Irvine’s individual professions at first glance, one may conclude they are far too opposite. But the couple insists their careers have a lot in common which has helped to strengthen their relationship. For instance, they are both in entertainment and television and so often travel together. They also both care so much about health and fitness and so work out together as well mind what they eat. Moreover, considering Kim’s degree in Nutrition, she is also a foodie just like Irvine. The couple’s marital relationship has been devoid of issues, at least ones that come to the media’s notice.
Although Gail Kim doesn’t have children of her own yet, she is a stepmother to Robert Irvine’s two daughters, Annalise and Talia, from his previous marriage to Karen Irvine.
Dissecting Her Total Net Worth
Robert Irvine’s wife, Gail Kim, had a long career as a professional wrestler, spanning nineteen years. Throughout her career, which saw her become a popular name among wrestling fans as well as amass several awards and accolades, Gail Kim also earned a significant net worth, estimated at $800,000.
Gail built her impressive worth mostly from her career as a professional wrestler. She is believed to have earned $600 per appearance during her TNA career.
Combined with her husband, Gail Kim can actually boast of a net worth of $16 million. Back in 2011, when she was clamoring to leave WWE, speculations were rife that Gail did not need the job any longer, considering Robert Irvine, her then husband-to-be’, had an impressive net worth. Kim has, however, proven the claims wrong as she has continued to work hard.