Did you know ex-WWE Diva AJ Lee's family battled drug addiction and poverty?

Former professional wrestler and ex-WWE Divas champion AJ Lee celebrated her 35th birthday on Mar 19. From tough childhood days to realizing her dream in WWE and retiring at an early age, AJ Lee has had a rollercoaster of a ride. On her birthday, we take a look at her journey in wrestling as well as some fun photos with her dear ones on Instagram. Pictures Courtesy/ AJ Lee Instagram

Updated On: 2022-03-20 07:44 AM IST

A collage of AJ Lee

AJ Lee was born, April Jeanette Mendez on March 19, 1987 in New Jersey, United States.

AJ Lee is a former professional wrestler was quite famous during her time with WWE.

AJ Lee's mother was a housewife, while her father was an automotive engineer.

AJ Lee and former WWE champion and wrestler CM Punk got married on June 13, 2014, after dating for a while.

AJ Lee has also gone through a tough childhood and revealed that her family was dealing with poverty, drug addiction and mental illness issues.

Not many are aware, but it was AJ Lee's brother's interest in WWE that made her look at wrestling as a professional career.

Not many are aware, but it was AJ Lee's brother's interest in WWE that made her look at wrestling as a professional career.

AJ Lee then made her way to WWE NXT in 2010 and entered into a competition to become WWE's Next breakout star. She was eliminated in third place.

In April 2011, AJ Lee made her main roster debut on WWE SmackDown alongside Kaitlyn.

In May 2009, AJ Lee worked with Florida Championship Wrestling under the name April Lee. 

AJ Lee later on had storyline relationships with Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler and John Cena

AJ Lee is a record-tying three-time WWE Divas Champion. She held the Divas title for a total of 406 days.

AJ Lee voiced for the film Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery and appeared in the 2019 film Rabid. She is a huge fan of video games, anime and comic books.

AJ Lee announced her retirement from wrestling on April 3, 2015.

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