12 Things We Learned From The Eighth Wonder Of The World: The True Story Of André The Giant
7. When He Realised About His Condition
Many are aware that André Roussimoff was so big as a result of gigantism, but most are likely unaware that this gigantism led to André suffering from acromegaly.
As per the NHS, acromegaly is officially described as "a rare condition where the body produces too much growth hormone, causing body tissues and bones to grow more quickly. Over time, this leads to abnormally large hands and feet, and a wide range of other symptoms."
During HBO's stunning 2018 André the Giant documentary, Dr. Harris Yett said that he first made André aware of his acromegaly in 1981. While Yett also says how Roussimoff's unfazed response to this news suggested that the Frenchman may have already known about this condition, The Eighth Wonder of the World finds Montreal promoter Paul Vachon declaring that André knew that he was suffering from acromegaly as far back as the early 1970s.
As Vachon puts it, “I think he knew how bad acromegaly was, as he told me that he wouldn’t live to be very old. I remember having that discussion with him, during the Grand Prix days. I am thinking, by the way he lived his life, he knew at the time.”
This book also adds how it was at the realisation of his condition and the affect it would likely have on his lifespan, that caused André to first start drinking heavily.