• Maurice Tillet, known as “The French Angel,” was a renowned French professional wrestler from the Ural Mountains, Russia.
• He gained popularity and achieved fame in a short span of time under his ring name, The French Angel.
• Tillet held the title of World Heavyweight Champion twice in the American Wrestling Association in Boston.
• Interestingly, he is believed to be the inspiration behind the iconic cartoon character, Shrek.
• Additionally, Tillet showcased his acting skills in the film “Princesse Tam Tam” in 1935.

Early Life, Parents, Siblings & Profile:

• Maurice Marie Joseph Tillet was born in 1903 to French parents.
• His birthday falls on October 23, and his father was an engineer involved in the construction of the Trans-Siberian railroad.
• Unfortunately, Tillet lost his parents at the age of eight.
• He and his mother relocated to Moscow, Russia, where they later moved to Rheims, France, in 1917.
• Tillet’s childhood nickname, “The Angel,” stemmed from his angelic face.
• He attended St. Philip Neri Catholic School, where his mother taught, and completed his secondary education at St. Stanislaus in Paris.
• Tillet pursued post-secondary education at Toulouse University of Law.

Personal Affairs, Girlfriend & Spouse:

• Little information is available regarding Tillet’s personal relationships and past affairs.
• There is a misconception that Olga Morasse was his wife, but this is incorrect as she was the future spouse of Tillet’s best friend, Karl.
• According to rumors, Tillet got married at the age of 19 to his Russian sweetheart, but the details surrounding her alleged death are unclear.

Career & Net worth:

• Tillet initially aspired to become a lawyer but was hindered by acromegaly, a condition that causes abnormal bone growth.
• He served as an engineer in the French Navy for five years after completing his education.
• During World War II, Tillet’s ship was sunk to avoid capture by the Nazis, leading to his departure from the navy.
• In 1936, Tillet was discovered by amateur wrestler Karl Pojello, which marked the beginning of his wrestling career.
• Tillet worked as a door attendant and actor for a local studio while wrestling at the behest of Pojello.
• He gained fame in England in 1939 with his wrestling performances, showcasing his signature move, the bear hug.
• Tillet earned a substantial net worth of $550,000 USD during his career, a considerable sum for that time.

Death Cause:

• Maurice Tillet passed away on September 4, 1954, in Chicago due to cardiovascular disease.
• He was buried at the Lithuanian National Cemetery in Justice, Illinois, at the age of 51.
• Strikingly, one of Tillet’s close friends, Pojello, also passed away just 13 hours before his demise.

Wiki/Bio:

• Full Birth Name: Maurice Marie Joseph Tillet
• Nickname: The Angel
• Profession: Wrestling
• Famous For: Wrestler
• Age (As of 1953): 50 years old
• Date of Birth: October 23, 1903
• Birthplace: Ural Mountains, Russia
• Nationality: French
• Gender: Male
• Sexuality: Straight
• Social Media Stats: Instagram: None, Twitter: N/A, Facebook: Not Known
• Star Sign: Scorpio
• Religion: Not Known
• Awards: World Heavyweight Champion
• Date of Death: September 4, 1954
• Place of Death: Chicago, Illinois

Physical Statistics:

• Height: 5′ 9″ (175 cm)
• Weight: 122 kg (267 lbs)
• Eye Color: Black
• Hair Color: Black
• Shoe Size (US): 9

Family:

• Parents: Father – Engineer (Name not known), Mother – Teacher (Name not available)
• Siblings: Not found
• Relatives: Grandfather – N/A, Uncle – N/A, Aunt – N/A

Personal Life Relationship:

• Marital Status: Married
• Wedding Date/Place: N/A
• Dating History: Not Known
• Girlfriend: N/A
• Wife/Spouse: None
• Children: Son – N/A, Daughter – None

Education:

• Highest Qualification: Post-secondary education in Law
• School: Philip Neri Catholic School
• Alma Mater: St. Stanislaus, Paris, and Toulouse University of Law

Hobbies & Favorite Things:

• Favorite Celeb: Wrestler – Karl Pojello
• Dream Holiday Destination: Paris
• Favorite Color: Black
• Love to do: Swimming and Acting
• Favorite Dishes: Seafood and Homemade food

Wealth:

• Net worth (Approx.): $550,000 USD

Some Lesser Known Facts about Maurice Tillet:

• A subsequent death mask of Tillet is displayed at the Weightlifting Hall of Fame inside the York Barbell Building, Pennsylvania.
• Tillet had an exceptional intellect and was fluent in 14 languages due to his mother’s profession as a teacher.
• During his twenties, Tillet developed acromegaly, which affected his physical appearance.
• He gained prominence in Massachusetts after being pushed as a main eventer by Paul Bowser in 1940.
• From May 1940 to 1942, Tillet held the AWA World Heavyweight Champion title, winning for a record-breaking 19 consecutive months.
• In 1947, he obtained American citizenship and took the oath of allegiance.

Conclusion:

Maurice Tillet, known as “The French Angel,” left an indelible mark in the world of professional wrestling. Despite the challenges posed by acromegaly, Tillet displayed his immense talent and became a renowned figure in the sport. His fascinating life journey, from an aspiring lawyer to a celebrated wrestler, captivates fans even today. Tillet’s contribution to wrestling and his enduring legacy will always be remembered.