**WWE Icon Triple H Reflects on Heart Scare, Calls It ‘A Gift’**
WWE’s chief content officer and wrestling legend Triple H, known off-stage as Paul Levesque, has described his recent health crisis as an unexpected blessing that forced him to reevaluate his life. Nearly four years after a near-fatal cardiac event caused by viral pneumonia and a hereditary heart condition, Levesque continues his recovery with a defibrillator fitted in his chest—a constant reminder of how close he came to losing everything.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview on the ESPN series “Stephanie’s Places,” hosted by his wife and former WWE executive Stephanie McMahon, Levesque shared how his brush with death altered his outlook. “In this really strange way, my heart issue was a gift,” he admitted, reflecting on how mortality can prompt individuals to appreciate the fleeting nature of life. “It made me see things differently, look at life differently,” he explained, revealing a depth of gratitude seldom witnessed from the hard-hitting veteran.
The discussion between the long-time power couple became emotional as Stephanie McMahon confessed she had not heard her husband articulate those sentiments before. “You can go through life—no matter how great it is, or all the things you’re doing—and you’re just doing it,” Levesque told her. His words, simple yet poignant, struck a nerve, underlining how daily routines can lull even the busiest personalities into complacency until a life-altering moment forces them to pause and reflect.
Demonstrating the profound impact the incident had on him, Levesque produced a small coin from his pocket. The inscription, “Memento Mori”—a reminder of human mortality—spurred a visibly moved McMahon to reveal she had intended to ask about it. “You gave it to me,” Levesque acknowledged, elaborating, “You can die at any second. This can all stop at any second.” He cautioned against becoming entangled in life’s trivial frustrations, emphatically noting, “Life is fleeting, so it can all go away at any moment.”
Levesque’s crisis began as a case of viral pneumonia, which rapidly escalated once he was discharged from hospital. Recounting his experience, he detailed how his respiratory condition worsened: “My lungs were inflamed and as the next couple days went on, when I got home it got increasingly worse.” Stephanie McMahon was the first to notice he was coughing up blood, prompting a return to hospital and ultimately, a heartbreaking prognosis from his doctors.
The 14-time world champion received dire warnings regarding the extent of his heart failure. “I was nose-diving and sort of at the one-yard line of where you don’t want to be really, for your family and your future,” Levesque recalled. The gravity of his condition ultimately culminated in the decision to retire from in-ring competition—a transition he confirmed publicly in March 2022 during an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take.”
Despite stepping away from wrestling, Levesque has remained deeply involved with WWE behind the scenes, guiding the creative direction of flagship programmes such as “Monday Night Raw” and “SmackDown”. His influence continues to be felt by millions of fans worldwide, though he admits that returning to the ring is no longer a possibility. “I have a defibrillator in my chest,” he told ESPN at the time. “Probably not a good idea for me to get zapped on live TV.”
Triple H’s story serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life and the necessity of cherishing every moment. His openness about his health struggles has resonated with both the wrestling community and broader public, highlighting not just the resilience required to succeed professionally, but the courage it takes to confront personal vulnerability.
As Levesque continues to steer WWE into the future, his journey stands as a testament to the strength that can be discovered in adversity. For him, survival has offered not just a second chance, but the perspective to appreciate life beyond the spotlight—a lesson for us all.