Who Is Teil Runnels? All About Dusty Rhodes’ Daughter

Teil Runnels is widely recognized because she belongs to one of the most influential families in professional wrestling history. As the daughter of WWE legend Dusty Rhodes and the sister of top stars Cody Rhodes and Dustin Rhodes, her name naturally attracts public curiosity. Even though she chose a private life, she remains connected to the Rhodes legacy through her appearances in AEW Dynamite, Rhodes to the Top, and American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes. Teil represents a rare blend of quiet living and wrestling heritage—someone who never sought fame yet became a symbolic part of wrestling history. People search for her name to learn about her background, family life, marriage, children, education, and her role in preserving Dusty Rhodes’ memory. This article explores her entire journey in detail, beginning from her early life to her role in the Rhodes dynasty today.

Bio Details: Teil Runnels

Early Life, Birth & Family Background

Teil Runnels was born on September 12, 1982, in Austin, Texas, under the zodiac sign Virgo. She is the daughter of Dusty Rhodes—one of wrestling’s greatest icons—and his wife Michelle Rubio. Teil grew up in a deeply family-centered environment, surrounded by her half-siblings Dustin Rhodes and Kristin Ditto from Dusty’s first marriage, and her younger brother Cody Rhodes. Her childhood was spent mostly in Marietta, Georgia, during the era when Dusty was active in both WCW and WWE. Growing up inside a household where wrestling was more than a job but a family tradition, Teil learned early about hard work, humility, and loyalty—values her father lived by. This upbringing shaped her into a grounded and emotionally thoughtful individual.

Childhood Memories and Growing Up as Dusty Rhodes’ Daughter

Growing up as Dusty Rhodes’ daughter meant Teil often spent her childhood backstage at wrestling arenas. She remembers being in TV buildings all day, watching her father work behind the scenes, long before she understood the inner workings of the business. As a child, she slowly realized her father was famous—with fans approaching him everywhere they went. Yet family life remained surprisingly normal at home because Dusty made a conscious effort to separate work from parenting. Teil has shared that although wrestling was intense to watch, she always felt calm because her father returned home safely after every show. Despite living in a superstar household, she grew up grounded because Dusty and Michelle focused on giving their children structure, stability, and love.

Teil Runnels’ Education and Early Ambitions

Teil completed her education in Georgia before attending the University of Texas for her higher studies. In her early twenties, she developed an interest in acting and performance, which led her to move to Los Angeles with her brother Cody. Dusty Rhodes, who was always supportive of his children’s dreams, famously gave each of them $10,000—money he earned by selling his Rolex watch—to help them begin their journey in LA. Teil trained at the Howard Fine Acting Studio, one of the top acting schools in the country. Although she deeply enjoyed acting, her life eventually shifted toward family, stability, and privacy. Her early ambitions, however, shaped her into a confident and expressive woman who later contributed emotional storytelling in documentaries about the Rhodes family.

Relationship With Her Father Dusty Rhodes — The American Dream’s Influence

Teil shared a profoundly close bond with her father, Dusty Rhodes. When she was young, Dusty made the decision to step away from WWE for some years so he could spend more time with Teil and Cody, regretting that he had not been as present in the early years of Dustin and Kristin. Teil remembers her father as supportive, strict when needed, loving, humorous, and incredibly nurturing. Dusty’s larger-than-life personality influenced her approach to family, while his work ethic taught her resilience. His passing in 2015 deeply affected her, but Teil has continued to honor his name through her involvement in family projects and the Dusty Rhodes Foundation. To her, Dusty was not “The American Dream”—he was simply her father, mentor, and emotional anchor.

Relationship With Her Brother Cody Rhodes

Teil and Cody share one of the closest bonds in the Rhodes family. They grew up together, pursued acting together, moved to Los Angeles together, and supported each other through major life transitions. Teil stood by Cody during his amateur wrestling years and early WWE journey, cheering for him during victories and losses. Cody openly acknowledges Teil’s emotional influence in his life. Her heartfelt interviews in Rhodes to the Top and American Nightmare illustrated the deep love and respect between them. Fans admire how Teil speaks about Cody’s challenges, his rise, and his dedication to the Rhodes name. Even though she stays away from public attention, Teil remains Cody’s quiet strength.

Relationship With Her Half-Brother Dustin Rhodes (Goldust)

Dustin Rhodes, widely known as Goldust, is Teil’s older half-brother. Despite the age gap, Teil has always admired Dustin’s career and presence within the Rhodes legacy. She has spoken warmly about him and maintains a strong, respectful relationship with both Dustin and Kristin Ditto. As Dusty balanced two sets of children from two marriages, Teil witnessed how wrestling connected every member of the family. She supported Dustin emotionally during his WWE and AEW years, showing pride in his resilience and longevity in the industry. Teil’s supportive role reflects the deep family love that defines the Rhodes dynasty.

Teil Runnels in AEW — Her Short but Iconic Appearance

Teil briefly stepped into the wrestling spotlight when she joined AEW Dynamite in 2019. Fans were thrilled to see her stand beside Cody and Dustin during major storyline moments. Although she was not an active wrestler, her presence added emotional weight and authenticity to the Rhodes family narrative. Teil represented the legacy, unity, and strength that defined the Rhodes household. She later appeared in Rhodes to the Top, showing her natural charisma and her behind-the-scenes support for her brother. After becoming a mother, Teil stepped back from wrestling involvement to focus on her family, but her short AEW chapter remains special to fans.

Marriage to Kevin Gergel — Love, Stability & Private Life

Teil married Kevin Gergel on November 1, 2008, in a private ceremony. Kevin works as a Vice President of Sales at GoPivot and previously worked at CA Short Company. The couple chose a quiet, steady life away from public attention, settling in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin has maintained a warm relationship with the Rhodes family and supports Teil’s commitment to family values. Their marriage reflects Teil’s desire for privacy, emotional peace, and a strong foundation—very different from the fast-paced world of wrestling she grew up around.

Motherhood — Teil’s Life with Her Children

Teil and Kevin are proud parents of two children—a son, Kellan, and a daughter, Maris. Motherhood changed Teil’s life direction completely. She decided to leave acting and wrestling appearances to raise her children with stability and love. Teil is a nurturing, hands-on mother who prioritizes privacy and emotional well-being for her kids. She believes in giving them a normal childhood, far away from the pressures of fame. Teil balances her Rhodes heritage with a peaceful family lifestyle, shaping her home into a space filled with love, tradition, and respect.

Teil’s Personality — Private, Emotional, Loyal & Family-Driven

Teil is widely known for being compassionate, thoughtful, emotional, and deeply loyal to her family. Unlike Cody and Dustin, she avoids the spotlight and prefers a quiet life focused on family. Her Christian values guide her approach to parenting, relationships, and personal growth. She carries the emotional wisdom of someone who grew up around fame yet never let fame define her. Teil comes across as warm, articulate, and sincere in her rare interviews, making fans admire her authenticity.

Public Appearances in Documentaries and Media

Over the years, Teil has appeared in several major wrestling documentaries and shows. In AEW Dynamite, she represented the Rhodes family legacy. In Rhodes to the Top (2021), her emotional presence helped viewers understand Cody’s journey and family dynamics. In American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes (2023), Teil contributed heartfelt recollections about their upbringing, their father, and the Rhodes lineage. These appearances made fans appreciate her depth, honesty, and connection to the wrestling world, even though she lives outside the ring.

Dusty Rhodes’ Marriages and Teil’s Blended Family

Dusty Rhodes married twice—first to Sandra Runnels, with whom he had Dustin and Kristin, and later to Michelle Rubio, with whom he had Teil and Cody. Teil grew up within a blended family structure built on respect, unity, and love. She shares a close relationship with Kristin Ditto, who became a businesswoman, and with both her brothers who entered wrestling. Teil’s upbringing within this blended structure reflects Dusty’s commitment to fatherhood and emotional connection across generations.

Teil’s Name Meaning & Why It Intrigues Fans

Teil’s full name is Teil Margaret Runnels Gergel. Her first name “Teil” is rare and often sparks curiosity online. Linguistically, “Teil” is a German word meaning “part” or “portion.” Symbolically, fans interpret it as “a part of the Rhodes dynasty,” representing her place in wrestling history even though she chose a private life. The uniqueness of her name makes her easily recognizable and contributes to her online popularity.

Teil’s Career Outside Wrestling

Teil never pursued a wrestling career like her father or brothers. Instead, she explored acting in her early adulthood, worked quietly behind the scenes in various projects, and later focused on charity, motherhood, and family support. She also assists the Dusty Rhodes Foundation, showing her commitment to keeping her father’s legacy alive. Teil prefers not to publicly discuss her professional life because privacy and family stability remain her top priorities.

The Dusty Rhodes Foundation — Teil’s Role Today

Teil is actively involved in the Dusty Rhodes Foundation, which helps young athletes achieve their dreams through sports training and community support. She participates in events, collaborates with her siblings, and helps ensure Dusty’s values continue to guide the next generation. Her work is quiet but meaningful, showing her dedication to honoring her father’s legacy beyond wrestling rings.

Teil Runnels’ Net Worth & Family Wealth

Teil’s personal net worth is not publicly known, as she maintains a private career and lifestyle. Her financial stability comes from her family, her husband’s executive position, and inherited assets. Dusty Rhodes’ net worth at the time of his death was around $3 million, while Cody Rhodes currently has an estimated net worth of $8 million. Teil enjoys a comfortable life but never flaunts wealth, remaining grounded and humble.

Why Fans Are Interested in Teil Runnels

Teil is fascinating to fans because she represents the personal side of the Rhodes dynasty. She is connected to two major wrestling stars, raised by a legend, yet prefers a peaceful, private life. Her emotional storytelling in documentaries, rare appearances, and close relationship with her brothers make her an intriguing figure. Fans admire her for preserving the Rhodes legacy while staying true to herself as a wife, mother, and daughter.

Conclusion 

Teil Runnels is a unique figure in wrestling history—not because she wrestled, but because she embodies the emotional heart of the Rhodes dynasty. She grew up surrounded by fame yet remained grounded, guided by her father’s values and her own desire for privacy. As a loving wife, dedicated mother, loyal sister, and daughter of the iconic Dusty Rhodes, Teil continues to represent strength, humility, and family unity. Her story matters because it shows the human side of a legendary wrestling family, reminding fans that behind every superstar is a family built on love, sacrifice, and shared dreams.

FAQs About Teil Runnels

1. Who is Teil Runnels?

Teil Runnels is the daughter of WWE legend Dusty Rhodes and the sister of wrestlers Cody Rhodes and Dustin Rhodes. She is known for her appearances in AEW Dynamite, Rhodes to the Top, and American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes.

2. How old is Teil Runnels?

Teil Runnels was born on September 12, 1982, which makes her 40+ years old as of 2024.

3. Who is Teil Runnels married to?

Teil Runnels is married to Kevin Gergel. The couple married on November 1, 2008, and they live in Atlanta, Georgia, with their two children.

4. What is Teil Runnels known for in wrestling?

Teil is known for being part of the Rhodes wrestling family and for appearing in AEW content and documentaries that highlight her father Dusty Rhodes and her brother Cody Rhodes. She is not a wrestler but a supportive family member featured in major shows.

5. Does Teil Runnels have children?

Yes, Teil Runnels and her husband Kevin Gergel have two children—a son named Kellan and a daughter named Maris.

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