When fans see Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, they see one of the biggest stars on the planet. But behind this global icon is his own rock: his mother, Ata Johnson. She is a woman whose life has been filled with incredible highs and devastating lows, a story of survival, resilience, and a deep connection to the Samoan heritage that defines her family. She is the matriarch of a wrestling dynasty, and her journey is just as compelling as her famous son’s.
Quick Bio of Ata Johnson
| Feature | Detail |
| Full Name | Ata Johnson |
| Birth Name | Mataniufeagaimaleata Fitisemanu |
| Date of Birth | October 25, 1948 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 77 |
| Place of Birth | Hawaii, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Samoan |
| Parents | Lia Maivia (Mother) “High Chief” Peter Maivia (Adoptive Father) |
| Spouse | Rocky Johnson (m. 1978; div. 2003) |
| Children | Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson |
| Grandchildren | Simone (Ava), Jasmine, and Tiana |
| Known For | Mother of Dwayne Johnson, Matriarch of the Maivia family |
| Notable Connection | Anoaʻi Wrestling Family (by adoption/blood-brotherhood) |
Who is Ata Johnson? The Matriarch Behind The Rock
So, who is Ata Johnson? She is the daughter of wrestling royalty, the former wife of a Hall of Fame wrestler, and the mother of a Hollywood legend. But more than that, she is a survivor. She faced poverty, family tragedy, and personal depression, yet she remains a famously joyful and positive force.
Her life is the bridge between the old-school wrestling world of her parents and the modern superstardom of her son. To understand Dwayne Johnson, you must first understand the incredible life of Ata Johnson.
Ata Johnson’s Early Life and Samoan Heritage
Ata Johnson was born on October 25, 1948, in Hawaii. Her birth name is Mataniufeagaimaleata Fitisemanu. This name reflects her deep Samoan ethnicity, a heritage she has passed down and celebrated throughout her life.
She was born into a world that was already steeped in the culture of professional wrestling. Her biological father was Sione Papali’i Fitisemanu, but her mother, Ofelia “Lia” Fuataga, would soon marry a man who would change the course of their family’s history forever.
The Parents of Ata Johnson: A Wrestling Dynasty
Ata’s mother, Lia Maivia, married “High Chief” Peter Maivia. He was a legendary Samoan professional wrestler who became a “blood brother” to the patriarch of the Anoaʻi family, linking them to a dynasty that includes Yokozuna, Rikishi, and Roman Reigns. Peter Maivia adopted Ata and raised her as his own daughter.
Lia Maivia was a trailblazer in her own right. After her husband Peter died in 1982, she took over their wrestling promotion, Polynesian Pro Wrestling (PPW), in Hawaii. She became one of the very first female promoters in the sport, a tough businesswoman in a world dominated by men. This was the environment where a young Ata Johnson learned about the business.
The Complicated Love Story of Ata and Rocky Johnson
Ata met her future husband, Wayde Douglas Bowles, better known as Rocky “Soul Man” Johnson. He was a charismatic and talented Canadian wrestler who was being trained by her father. Her parents, especially Peter, reportedly disapproved of her dating a wrestler, knowing the difficult life it entailed.
Their relationship was further complicated by the fact that Rocky was already married. At the time he met Ata, he was still with his first wife, Una Sparks, who was also known as Una Johnson. Rocky and Una had two children together, Curtis and Wanda, Dwayne Johnson’s half-siblings.
The Birth of a Superstar and a Life of Struggle
On May 2, 1972, Ata Johnson and Rocky welcomed their son, Dwayne Douglas Johnson, in Hayward, California. However, Rocky’s divorce from Una Johnson was not finalized until 1978. He married Ata that same year.
The family’s life was not glamorous. They struggled financially, moving constantly for Rocky’s wrestling bookings. Dwayne has often shared the story of how they were evicted from their small apartment in Hawaii when he was just 14. This period of poverty and uncertainty deeply affected Ata Johnson.
Ata Johnson’s Own Battle with Depression
The struggles of their life weighed heavily on Ata Johnson. Dwayne Johnson has spoken publicly about one of the darkest moments in their lives to raise awareness for mental health. When he was 15, shortly after their eviction, he and his mother were in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ata stopped their car on the side of Interstate 65 and tried to walk into oncoming traffic. A teenage Dwayne grabbed her and pulled her back onto the gravel shoulder. It was a terrifying moment that cemented their bond. Ata Johnson has said she doesn’t even remember the incident, a sign of her state of mind at the time. She is a true survivor.
What is Ata Johnson’s Nationality and Ethnicity?
This is a common question from fans. The nationality of Ata Johnson is American. She was born in Hawaii, which is a U.S. state. In Spanish, her nacionalidad is estadounidense.
Her ethnicity, however, is Samoan. She is incredibly proud of her Polynesian roots. This heritage is a central part of her family’s identity and is famously celebrated by her son, who incorporated Samoan traditions, like the Siva Tau war dance, into his wrestling persona and in films.
The Anoaʻi Family Connection: Is Ata Johnson Related to Nia Jax?
The Maivia-Anoaʻi family tree can be confusing. Ata Johnson is an adopted Maivia, and her father Peter was a “blood brother” to the Anoaʻi family. So, while she is not a blood relative of the Anoa’i clan, she is unequivocally family in the Samoan culture, which values chosen bonds as deeply as blood.
This family connection extends to other wrestlers. Ata Johnson is the aunt of Nia Jax (Savelina Fanene). Nia’s father was a first cousin of Peter Maivia. Dwayne and Nia consider each other cousins. Ata and Nia are very close; they were even in a serious car accident together in 2014, when their car was hit head-on by a drunk driver. Both, thankfully, survived.
Ata Johnson’s Role in Wrestling
While she comes from a wrestling family, Ata Johnson herself was never an in-ring competitor. Her role was always behind the scenes, learned from her promoter mother, Lia Maivia.
The NBC comedy series ‘Young Rock’, which is based on her son’s life, shines a light on this. The show portrays a young Ata Johnson (played by Stacey Leilua) as a strong, supportive mother who is also deeply involved in her mother’s Polynesian Pro Wrestling promotion, helping to book venues and manage the talent.
Did Ata Johnson Appear in ‘Hobbs & Shaw’ or ‘Moana 2’?
Many fans search for ‘ata johnson movies’, wondering if she followed her son to Hollywood. She did not appear as an actress in ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’ (2019). However, she was present on set for the filming of the “Siva Tau” scene. Dwayne shared a video of her watching the performance, weeping with pride to see her culture represented so powerfully.
However, she did have a role in a major Disney film. The search for ‘ata johnson moana 2’ leads to a fun fact: Ata Johnson provided the voice for a villager in ‘Moana 2’ (2024). Her granddaughters, Jasmine and Tiana, also had small voice roles in the movie.
What About ‘Ata Johnson Star Search’?
A common query online is ‘ata johnson star search’. This seems to be a piece of internet misinformation. There is absolutely no public record or credible information suggesting that Ata Johnson ever appeared on the television competition show ‘Star Search’.
Her life has been focused on her family and supporting their careers from behind the scenes, not seeking the spotlight for herself, though she has a natural charisma and is beloved by her son’s fans.
Ata Johnson’s Personal Life Today
Ata Johnson and Rocky Johnson divorced in 2003. She never remarried. Rocky Johnson passed away in January 2020 at the age of 75. Today, Ata is a vibrant and constant presence in her son’s life. She frequently appears on his Instagram, playing the ukulele, dancing, and sharing joyful moments.
She is also a very proud grandmother. Ata Johnson has three grandchildren from Dwayne: Simone Alexandra Johnson, Jasmine Lia Johnson, and Tiana Gia Johnson. Her eldest granddaughter, Simone, has continued the family legacy as Ava in WWE’s NXT, becoming the first-ever fourth-generation superstar.
What is Ata Johnson’s Net Worth?
Unlike her superstar son, Ata Johnson is a private citizen, so her personal net worth is not publicly listed or estimated. While she comes from a famous family, she does not have the same public financial profile.
However, it is clear she is financially secure. Her son has spoken many times about his greatest joy: being able to give back to the woman who sacrificed everything for him. The net worth of Ata Johnson isn’t a public matter, as she is well-cared for by her loving son.
The Amazing Story Behind Ata Johnson’s House
Dwayne has gifted his mother several homes over the years, but in 2022, he surprised her with her “dream home.” He shared emotional videos of her reaction as she walked in for the first time. It was a home he had built and decorated just for her.
The house is perfectly suited for Ata Johnson. It includes a “Smackdown Room” filled with her son’s memorabilia and career awards. More personally, it features a room with her vintage ukuleles and a large wall covered in photos of their family and Samoan ancestors, a tribute to the legacy she holds so dear.
Ata Johnson’s Height and Age: The Finer Details
For fans wondering about her personal details, the age of Ata Johnson is 76 years old (as of late 2025). Her birthday is October 25, 1948.
Details about her height are not as clear. Ata Johnson‘s height is not officially listed, as she is not a public performer. She often appears in photos next to her son, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall, and her granddaughter Ava, who is 5 feet 10 inches, making her appear petite, but she is generally considered to be of average height.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who is Ata Johnson?
he is the mother of actor and wrestler Dwayne “TheRock” Johnson and a prominent member of the Anoa’i-Maivia wrestling dynasty. - Was Ata Johnson a professional wrestler?
No, Ata Johnson was not an in-ring wrestler. However, she grew up in the business and was involved in her mother’s promotion, Polynesian Pro Wrestling (PPW). - How is Ata Johnson related to Nia Jax?
Ata Johnson is the aunt of WWE superstar Nia Jax (Savelina Fanene). - Did Ata Johnson have a role in ‘Moana 2’?
Yes, Ata Johnson had a voice role as a villager in the 2024 Disney animated film Moana 2. - Who were Ata Johnson’s parents?
Her mother was Lia Maivia, one of the first female wrestling promoters, and her adoptive father was wrestling Hall of Famer “High Chief” Peter Maivia.
The Enduring Legacy of Ata Johnson
The story of Ata Johnson is one of resilience. She is far more than just “The Rock’s mom.” She is the daughter of a wrestling pioneer, a woman who helped her mother run a promotion, and a person who personally survived poverty and severe depression.
She is the living link between her “High Chief” father and her global superstar son. Through every hardship, Ata Johnson maintained her grace and her famous joy, instilling in her son the work ethic and, most importantly, the kindness he is known for. She is a true matriarch, and her legacy is one of strength, survival, and boundless love.
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