Michelle Rubio: The Private Life of Cody Rhodes’ Mother

Michelle Rubio is an American celebrity family member best known as the wife of late professional wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes and the mother of WWE star Cody Rhodes. She became connected to one of wrestling’s most recognized families through her long marriage to Dusty. Fans often search for Michelle to learn about Cody Rhodes’ mother, her early life, marriage, children, and life after her husband’s death. Although she generally stays away from public attention, she has appeared at wrestling events to support her family. This article explores Michelle Rubio’s biography, family background, marriage, children, career, and current life.

Quick Bio

Who Is Michelle Rubio?

Michelle Rubio is widely recognized because of her connection to the famous Rhodes wrestling family. She was the second wife of Dusty Rhodes, an influential American professional wrestler, trainer, booker, and wrestling personality. Their marriage lasted for decades and continued until Dusty’s death in 2015. Michelle is also the mother of professional wrestler Cody Rhodes and his older sister, Teil Runnels. While several members of her family built public careers, Michelle has generally chosen a quieter lifestyle. Her appearances at major wrestling events have nevertheless made her familiar to wrestling fans, particularly those interested in Cody Rhodes’ family and the people who supported his career.

Michelle Rubio’s Early Life

Michelle Rubio was born on October 6, 1962, in El Paso, Texas. Before becoming associated with the Rhodes wrestling family, she worked as a dancer. Her early professional life included dancing in different nightclubs, and she was also associated with The Devil’s Angels dance company. This period of her life came before her marriage to Dusty Rhodes and before she became the mother of two children. Michelle later became much better known through her family connections than through her early career. As Dusty’s career continued and her children grew older, family life became an important part of her story and eventually connected her closely with professional wrestling.

Michelle Rubio’s Career

Michelle worked as a dancer during the earlier part of her life. Her work included performances in nightclubs as well as involvement with The Devil’s Angels dance company. She later stepped away from that public professional path and became more closely associated with her family. Unlike Dusty and Cody Rhodes, Michelle did not develop a major public career in professional wrestling. She has maintained considerable privacy regarding her later professional ventures. Her connection to wrestling has instead largely come through supporting her husband and children. She has attended wrestling events over the years, showing that she remains closely connected to the family’s long history in the industry.

Michelle Rubio and Dusty Rhodes’ Marriage

Michelle Rubio married Dusty Rhodes in 1978. Dusty had previously been married to Sandra McHargue from 1965 until 1975. His first marriage produced two children, Dustin Runnels and Kristin Runnels. Michelle became Dusty’s second wife, and together they welcomed two children of their own, Teil and Cody. Michelle and Dusty remained married for approximately 37 years, making their relationship a major part of both their lives. Their marriage continued throughout many important periods of Dusty’s wrestling career and while their children were growing up. It ended only with Dusty’s death in June 2015, after which Michelle continued supporting their family and preserving his legacy.

Who Was Dusty Rhodes?

Dusty Rhodes was one of the best-known professional wrestlers of his generation. During his long career, he worked with major wrestling organizations, including the National Wrestling Alliance and World Wrestling Federation. He became a three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and also won the United States Heavyweight Championship. His career included several World Tag Team and World Six-Man Tag Team championship victories. After his full-time wrestling years ended, Dusty remained involved in the industry. He made television appearances and later contributed behind the scenes as a producer, booker, and trainer, including work connected with WWE’s NXT developmental system.

Michelle Rubio’s Children

Michelle Rubio and Dusty Rhodes had two children together: Teil Margaret Runnels and Cody Garrett Runnels. Teil was born on September 12, 1982, in Austin, Texas, and is Cody’s older sister. She was previously associated with AEW alongside members of her family before focusing on her home and family life. Teil married Kevin Gergel, and they have two children. Cody was born on June 30, 1985, in Marietta, Georgia. He followed his father into professional wrestling and eventually became one of the biggest names in the industry. Michelle has continued to support both of her children throughout their adult lives.

Michelle Rubio as Cody Rhodes’ Mother

Michelle Rubio receives considerable public interest because she is the mother of Cody Rhodes. Cody built a successful professional wrestling career and continued the wrestling tradition established by his father. His accomplishments include major championship victories across WWE, AEW, ROH, NJPW, and the NWA. Michelle has supported her son during important moments in his career and has occasionally appeared at major wrestling shows. She attended events such as the 2023 Royal Rumble and AEW Full Gear in 2019. These appearances offered wrestling audiences a glimpse of the close family support surrounding Cody as he built his own identity within the professional wrestling industry.

Michelle Rubio’s Stepchildren

Through her marriage to Dusty Rhodes, Michelle also became part of the lives of his children from his first marriage, Dustin Runnels and Kristin Runnels Ditto. Dustin became a successful professional wrestler and is widely recognized for his long career across several wrestling promotions. He is also Cody Rhodes’ older half-brother. Kristin pursued a different path and has worked as an entrepreneur and business owner. She was also a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Together, Michelle’s children and stepchildren form a large family with connections to professional wrestling, sports, and business, making the Rhodes family notable far beyond Dusty and Cody’s individual wrestling careers.

Michelle Rubio and the Rhodes Wrestling Family

The Rhodes family has developed a multigenerational connection with professional wrestling. Dusty established the family name through his wrestling performances and later contributed to the development of younger wrestlers. Dustin followed his father into the industry and became widely known through his wrestling career. Cody later continued the tradition and achieved major success of his own. Michelle did not pursue the same wrestling career, but she remained an important family figure behind these public achievements. Her role has mainly been that of a supportive wife, mother, and family member rather than an on-screen wrestling personality, allowing her to maintain a relatively private identity.

Dusty Rhodes’ Death

Dusty Rhodes experienced kidney disease during the later years of his life. On June 10, 2015, paramedics were called after he fell at his home in Orlando, Florida. He was taken to a nearby hospital but died the following day from complications associated with kidney failure. His death marked the end of Michelle and Dusty’s approximately 37-year marriage. Dusty was later cremated, and his son Dustin spread his ashes in November 2015 on a ranch that held special meaning for him. His death was a major loss for the Rhodes family and the professional wrestling community in which he had spent much of his life.

Michelle Rubio After Dusty Rhodes’ Death

Following Dusty’s death, Michelle continued living mostly outside the public spotlight. Rather than developing a highly visible media presence, she remained closely connected with her children and their lives. She has occasionally appeared at wrestling events, particularly during important moments involving Cody Rhodes. Michelle also launched the Dusty Rhodes Foundation after her husband’s death. The organization was created to support young people pursuing goals connected with sports. This work helped continue Dusty’s influence beyond his wrestling career. Michelle’s life today remains strongly associated with her family, her late husband’s legacy, and the achievements of the next generation of the Rhodes family.

Michelle Rubio’s Relationship With Her Family

Family has remained a central part of Michelle Rubio’s public story. She spent decades married to Dusty Rhodes while raising Teil and Cody and becoming part of a blended family that also included Dustin and Kristin. As her children entered adulthood, several members of the family developed careers and families of their own. Cody’s success has especially kept public interest in the Rhodes family alive. Michelle’s attendance at some of his wrestling events demonstrates her continued support. Despite the fame surrounding her husband and children, she has largely avoided making herself a public personality, maintaining a quieter position within one of professional wrestling’s best-known families.

Where Is Michelle Rubio Now?

Michelle Rubio continues to maintain a private lifestyle and generally stays away from constant media attention. She is not known for maintaining an active public social media presence, making information about her everyday activities relatively limited. However, she has remained supportive of her children and has appeared at selected professional wrestling events. Her involvement with the Dusty Rhodes Foundation also connects her with her late husband’s legacy. While Cody Rhodes continues performing before large wrestling audiences, Michelle remains a significant family figure behind the scenes. Her occasional appearances continue to attract attention from longtime fans familiar with the Rhodes family’s wrestling history.

Final Thoughts

Michelle Rubio is best known as Dusty Rhodes’ second wife and the mother of Cody Rhodes and Teil Runnels. Born in El Paso, Texas, she worked as a dancer during her younger years before becoming closely associated with the Rhodes family. She married Dusty in 1978, and their marriage lasted around 37 years until his death in 2015. Although Michelle has never pursued the same level of fame as her husband or son, she has remained supportive of her family throughout their careers. Her appearances at wrestling events and involvement with the Dusty Rhodes Foundation have also helped keep her connected with Dusty’s enduring legacy.

(FAQs)

Who is Michelle Rubio?

Michelle Rubio is the widow of professional wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes. She is also the mother of WWE wrestler Cody Rhodes and Teil Margaret Runnels. She has generally maintained a private life despite her famous family.

How old is Michelle Rubio?

Michelle Rubio was born on October 6, 1962, in El Paso, Texas. Her birth date places her among the older generation of the Rhodes family that witnessed Dusty Rhodes’ long wrestling career.

Who was Michelle Rubio married to?

Michelle Rubio was married to legendary professional wrestler Dusty Rhodes. They married in 1978 and remained together for approximately 37 years until Dusty died in June 2015.

How many children does Michelle Rubio have?

Michelle Rubio and Dusty Rhodes had two children together, Teil Margaret Runnels and Cody Rhodes. Through Dusty’s previous marriage, Michelle also became part of a blended family that included Dustin Runnels and Kristin Runnels Ditto.

What did Michelle Rubio do for a living?

During her younger years, Michelle Rubio worked as a dancer in nightclubs and was associated with The Devil’s Angels dance company. Her later professional activities have remained largely outside the public spotlight.

Where is Michelle Rubio now?

Michelle Rubio lives a mostly private life away from regular media attention. She continues supporting her family and has appeared at wrestling events involving Cody Rhodes. She also launched the Dusty Rhodes Foundation after her husband’s death.