Brie Bella
One half of the transformative Bella Twins, she helped bring women's wrestling to the forefront of WWE with charismatic reality TV appeal.
Born 1983 (age 43)·American professional wrestler·Birthday: November 21·Millennials
Biography
Brie Bella, born Brianna Monique Danielson, entered the WWE universe not as a lone star, but as one half of an inseparable package with her twin sister, Nikki. The Bellas' initial run capitalized on their identical looks, but they quickly evolved beyond a simple gimmick. Alongside her sister, Brie became a central figure in the 'Divas Era', a period she would later help eclipse. Her in-ring style blended athleticism with a fierce, underdog spirit, showcased in memorable feuds and a championship reign. Beyond the ring, her willingness to share her life on the reality series 'Total Divas' and 'Total Bellas' offered an unprecedented look at the person behind the persona, building a massive mainstream audience for women's wrestling. While her sister often pursued the spotlight, Brie cultivated a reputation as the grounded, strategic half of the duo, whose legacy is inextricably linked to popularizing female wrestlers as relatable, multifaceted stars.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Brie was born in 1983, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Brie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became a one-time WWE Divas Champion, defeating her sister Nikki at WrestleMania 30 in a pivotal match.
- Co-headlined the first-ever all-women's pay-per-view event in WWE history, Evolution, in 2018.
- Starred in the long-running E! reality series 'Total Divas' and its spin-off 'Total Bellas', which chronicled her family and career.
- Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of The Bella Twins in 2021.
Did You Know?
She is married to fellow professional wrestler Bryan Danielson (formerly Daniel Bryan in WWE).
She and her sister Nikki are fraternal, not identical, twins.
Before wrestling, she worked as a NFL cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers.
She gave birth to her daughter, Birdie, on the same day her sister Nikki gave birth to her son, Matteo.
“I'm not just a twin; I'm a twin who can kick your ass.”
