Chyna was born Joanie Laurer in Rochester, New York. Her parents divorced when she was young and her mother had "revolving door marriages" (Chyna said it seemed as if there was a new guy every year) and her father was an alcoholic. She describes her childhood/family life as "very dysfunctional". She never got along with her parents and says they were very cruel and abusive to her so she was raised by her sister, Kathy. Chyna says Kathy means everything to her - she's her best friend and "mother". After traveling the world on scholarship and holding many jobs (joining a band, belly dancer, pager saleswoman, etc.), she came back to the US to train and becoming a professional wrestler, Triple H, and become his valet in the WWF.



Worked as a belly dancer, pager salesperson, and in a band. Started lifting weights at 15. In an interview with the TV Guide Channel, former professional wrestler turned Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura said that Chyna was his favorite wrestler and that she's the "the best wrestler out there as we speak". Former World Wrestling Federation Intercontinental Champion Received her wrestling training under Killer Kowalski Became first woman to compete in the Royal Rumble Became first woman to hold a men's title in he WWF by defeating Jeff Jarrett for the Intercontinental title in 1999. Was one of the founding members of D-generation X Has appeared in a commercial for STACKER 2 Has written an autobiography Can bench-press up to 325lbs. Is friends in real-life with Debra Was co-holder of the WWF Intercontinental Championship with fellow WWF superstar Chris Jericho Graduated from The University of Tampa in 1991. She travelled around Europe during her teenage years, and would spend 2 nights in Spain, and then off again for 4 nights in France etc.... She ended up spending two months in Germany. She did other jobs like selling beepers, singing in an "old geezers" band, bartender, airline attendant, and a belly dancer. Her parents' names are Joe and Janet. When her father remarried, he married Tina. She lost the role of TX she desperately wanted to play in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) to model/actress Kristanna Loken. Once sought employment on the U.S. Secret Service. Worked for BTW (Big Time Wrestling) in Newark, California in the 90s. In November 2007, Joanie legally had her name changed to 'Chyna'. Was a UN scholar.