When you think of Mark Henry, you probably picture a massive human being throwing around literal tons of steel or slamming opponents through rings. He’s the "World’s Strongest Man." A Hall of Famer. A guy who spent decades on the road in the chaotic world of professional wrestling. But behind that persona is a guy who has been married for nearly twenty years. Honestly, in the world of pro wrestling—where marriages often crumble under the weight of 300 days a year on the road—the story of Mark Henry and wife Jana Henry is kind of an anomaly.
They’ve stayed together. They’ve built a family in Austin, Texas. And while Mark is the one under the bright lights, Jana is basically the engine that keeps the whole operation running.
Who is Jana Perry Henry?
Most fans know everything about Mark's bench press stats but nothing about the woman by his side. Jana Perry (now Henry) isn't a "Wrestling Wife" in the reality-TV sense. You won't see her chasing cameras or trying to get a secondary storyline on RAW. She’s famously private.
The couple tied the knot on April 24, 2005. At that point, Mark was already a massive star, but he was also in the middle of a career that was physically and mentally draining. Jana has been described by Mark himself as his "best friend" and "business partner." That’s a heavy set of titles to carry when your husband is a global icon.
Living in Austin, they’ve managed to create a life that feels remarkably normal. They have two kids, Jacob and Joanna. It’s a quiet life, mostly. Except for the part where Mark is a living legend and their son is now following in those massive footsteps.
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The Secret to a Long Wrestling Marriage
Mark hasn't been shy about the fact that marriage isn't a walk in the park. In a 2024 interview with TV Insider, he got real about it. He admitted that there are times in a long marriage where you actually fall out of love with each other. That’s a heavy thing to say out loud.
But he followed it up with something profound: if you keep the friendship and the respect, you can find that love again. He calls Jana the "frame" of their house. Without her, the walls would basically cave in.
- Friendship first: They were friends before they were anything else.
- The Power of Respect: Mark has stated that you’re a "horrible human" if you can’t respect the person raising your children.
- Low Profile: By staying out of the tabloids, they’ve avoided the "curse" of the public breakup.
It’s not just about romantic dinners. It’s about Jana handling the business side and the "brass tax" of their household while Mark was traveling the globe. She’s the one who ensured their kids had a "well-rounded upbringing" despite their dad being a literal giant on TV.
Raising a New Generation of Athletes
The Henry household isn't just about Mark anymore. Their son, Jacob Henry, is making a name for himself at the University of Oklahoma. He’s a wrestler and a football player, and yeah, he’s got the strength. But Jana and Mark made sure he wasn't just a gym rat.
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Jacob was in the school choir. He took dance classes. He was in an R&B band. This wasn't Mark's doing alone; this was the result of a parenting team that wanted their kids to have an identity outside of "Mark Henry’s son."
The Parenting Dynamics
Mark is the one who tells the stories, but Jana is the one who sets the boundaries. Mark has joked that he didn’t push Jacob into powerlifting because he wanted the kid to find his own path. Together, they’ve managed to raise a son who is not only a powerhouse athlete but also a vocal advocate for mental health and anti-bullying. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens because the home life is stable.
Addressing the "Sexual Chocolate" Era
We can't talk about Mark Henry and wife Jana without acknowledging the weird stuff. If you’re a wrestling fan, you remember the "Sexual Chocolate" gimmick. You remember the storyline with Mae Young. You remember... the hand.
Imagine being the wife of a man who has to go to work and pretend to be in a relationship with a woman in her 70s for a comedy bit. Jana wasn't in the picture during the peak of that 1999/2000 absurdity (they married in 2005), but she certainly lived through the aftermath of Mark's "Ladies Man" persona.
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Mark has often said that his family is his priority, and he even signed a five-year contract late in his career specifically because Vince McMahon convinced him he could still provide for them while being a mentor. Jana’s support during these transitions—from WWE to AEW and then into his current "ambassador" role—has been the constant.
Life in Austin: More Than Just Wrestling
The Henrys are a staple in Austin. They aren't just hiding away in a mansion. Mark is involved in community work, and Jana is the backbone of their private ventures. They even have a two-foot-long ferret named Pipe. Seriously.
When you look at the trajectory of Mark’s career, it’s easy to focus on the 2011 "Hall of Pain" run or his Olympic achievements. But the real achievement is the 20-year marriage. In a world where "celebrity" usually means "messy," Jana and Mark are just... solid.
Key Takeaways for Longevity
- Define Your Roles: Mark handles the public, Jana handles the foundation.
- Value Privacy: You don't see them posting every argument or every dinner on Instagram.
- Encourage Individuality: They let their kids be choir singers and wrestlers.
- Prioritize the "Friend" over the "Spouse": Love fades and returns, but friendship stays.
If you’re looking to model a relationship after a celebrity couple, you could do a lot worse than these two. They’ve navigated the highest highs and the weirdest TV storylines imaginable, all while keeping a "normal" home in Texas.
To keep up with the Henry family's next moves, you can follow Mark Henry on his regular appearances on Busted Open Radio or watch Jacob Henry’s progression through the collegiate wrestling ranks at Oklahoma. For more updates on wrestling legends and their lives outside the ring, check back for our deep dives into the families of the Hall of Fame.