Rebecca Curci Hickenbottom gained fame as “Whisper,” a captivating member of The Nitro Girls dance troupe that regularly appeared on WCW Monday Nitro wrestling broadcasts. While her dance career brought her initial recognition, she’s also widely known as the wife of WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, one of professional wrestling’s most celebrated performers.
Biography Table
| Full Name | Rebecca Curci Hickenbottom |
|---|---|
| Professional Name | Whisper (WCW Nitro Girls) |
| Profession | Former Dancer |
| Age | 51 years (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1973 |
| Birthplace | Tampa, Florida, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’8" (173 cm) |
| Spouse | Shawn Michaels (married since 1999) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2-3 million (2025, including family assets) |
Early Life & Background
Childhood and Upbringing
Born on June 16, 1973, in Tampa, Florida, Rebecca Curci was raised in a Southern Baptist household where faith played a central role in her formative years. Her religious upbringing would later connect with her husband’s own spiritual journey.
Education
Rebecca completed her education at South San Antonio High School, where she likely developed her interest in dance and performance arts. Though details about any subsequent higher education remain private, her dance career suggests professional training in that field.
Career Journey
The Nitro Girls
Rebecca rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a member of The Nitro Girls, a dance group that performed during WCW Monday Nitro wrestling broadcasts. As “Whisper,” her stage name, she became known for her signature move of holding her finger to her lips in a “be quiet” gesture, which perfectly aligned with her performance persona.
Dance Background
While specific details about her dance training aren’t widely documented, her selection for The Nitro Girls indicates professional-level dance abilities. The troupe performed choreographed routines that entertained wrestling audiences during broadcast breaks and became cultural fixtures of late 1990s wrestling programming.
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Post-Dancing Career
After her time with The Nitro Girls, Rebecca stepped away from the entertainment spotlight, focusing primarily on family life. Unlike many wrestling personalities and adjacent figures, she has maintained a relatively private life rather than pursuing further public entertainment roles.
Personal Life
Marriage to Shawn Michaels
Rebecca’s most publicly known personal relationship is her marriage to WWE superstar Shawn Michaels (born Michael Shawn Hickenbottom). The couple married in 1999, with Rebecca taking his legal surname of Hickenbottom. Their marriage has proven remarkably enduring by both entertainment industry and professional wrestling standards, spanning over 25 years as of 2025.
Family Life
Rebecca and Shawn have built a family together, raising two children: son Cameron and daughter Cheyenne. The family has largely maintained privacy despite Shawn’s high-profile wrestling career. Their home life reportedly centers around family values and their shared Christian faith.
Faith Journey
Like her husband, Rebecca embraces Christianity, having grown up in the Southern Baptist tradition. Faith remains a cornerstone of the Hickenbottom family life, with Shawn often crediting his spiritual beliefs and Rebecca’s support for his personal transformation from his earlier, more turbulent years in professional wrestling.
Net Worth & Financial Success
Family Assets
As of 2025, Rebecca’s personal net worth combined with family assets is estimated between $2-3 million. While this figure includes wealth accumulated through her own career, it’s significantly influenced by her husband’s successful wrestling career, business ventures, and media appearances.
Income Sources
Though no longer actively performing, Rebecca’s financial portfolio likely includes:
- Investments and savings from her dancing career
- Potential royalties from WCW footage featuring The Nitro Girls
- Family business ventures alongside her husband
- Real estate investments common among long-term entertainment figures
Physical Appearance
Height and Features
Rebecca stands approximately 5’8" (173 cm) tall, with the athletic build typical of professional dancers. During her Nitro Girls period, her distinctive look and performance style made her a recognizable figure among wrestling fans.
Notable Facts & Trivia
Signature Performance Elements
As “Whisper,” Rebecca was known for her distinctive finger-to-lips gesture that became her calling card during Nitro Girls performances, creating a memorable character among the dance troupe.
Wrestling Connection
Beyond her marriage to Shawn Michaels, Rebecca’s work with The Nitro Girls placed her within the professional wrestling industry’s orbit. Her colleague in The Nitro Girls, Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman, would later marry wrestler Booker T, creating another notable wrestling family connection.
Private Lifestyle
Unlike many wrestling spouses who develop their own public personas through reality shows or social media, Rebecca has maintained a relatively low public profile throughout her husband’s later career and retirement, focusing on family rather than fame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Rebecca Curci Hickenbottom? A: As of 2025, Rebecca is 51 years old, having been born on June 16, 1973.
Q: How long has Rebecca been married to Shawn Michaels? A: Rebecca and Shawn Michaels have been married since 1999, making their marriage over 25 years strong as of 2025.
Q: What was Rebecca Curci’s wrestling name? A: Rebecca was never a wrestler. She performed as a dancer named “Whisper” with The Nitro Girls on WCW Monday Nitro.
Q: How many children do Rebecca and Shawn Michaels have? A: The couple has two children together: a son named Cameron and a daughter named Cheyenne.
Q: What is Rebecca Curci’s net worth? A: As of 2025, her estimated net worth, including family assets with Shawn Michaels, is approximately $2-3 million.
This biography is based on publicly available information as of May 2025. As Rebecca maintains a private life, some details may not reflect recent developments.