Ric Flair has opened up about one of the genuine regrets of his legendary career, acknowledging that the relentless schedule required to stay at the top of professional wrestling came at a steep personal cost.
Speaking on the Thanalysis Show podcast, Flair was asked what advice he would give to those chasing the kind of fame and recognition he achieved. His answer was candid and rooted in something he has carried for a long time.
“I get asked that a lot and it’s easy to say this now but when you want to be the best at something and to be the best, I just had to sacrifice and I — Yes. I regret not spending more time with my children, but I was traveling.”
Flair explained that even the top names in the business during his era were expected to maintain schedules that left almost no room for family life, sharply contrasting with the lighter workloads of today’s performers.
“Even guys that were the world champion we worked every day back then. So you saw your kids in the morning, you saw them lunch, and then you get home at 3:00 in the morning, get up, work out. They’ve already gone to school and you go to another town.”
Flair has four children. His daughter, Ashley, known in WWE as Charlotte Flair, and his son, David, both followed him into the wrestling business. His son Reid died of a drug overdose in March 2013. He also has a daughter, Megan, who gave Ric his first grandchild in 2004.