Brie Bella
Brie Bella – Life, Career, and Legacy
Learn about Brie Bella (Brianna Monique Garcia-Colace): her early life, rise in WWE, media ventures, personal life, and lasting impact on wrestling and pop culture.
Introduction
Brie Bella (born November 21, 1983) is an American media personality, retired professional wrestler, and former WWE Divas Champion. Alongside her twin sister Nikki, she rose to fame as one half of the tag team The Bella Twins. Over her career she branched into reality TV, entrepreneurship, and brand development. Her journey reflects how sports entertainment and personal branding can combine to create a multi-platform public presence.
Early Life & Family
Brianna Monique Garcia-Colace was born on November 21, 1983 in San Diego, California. farm in Scottsdale, Arizona, where the family kept animals and lived a somewhat rural life.
As children, the twins played soccer and were active athletically. Chaparral High School in 2002. San Diego for some time, then to Los Angeles to pursue modeling, promotional work, and acting engagements.
Early on, Brie and Nikki appeared in modeling and promotional campaigns, and got their start on national television via reality shows. For example, the twins appeared on Meet My Folks.
Wrestling Career & Achievements
Entry into WWE & The Bella Twins
In 2007, Brie and Nikki signed developmental contracts with WWE and were assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), WWE’s then developmental territory. The Bella Twins.
In 2008, Brie made her SmackDown debut, defeating Victoria, which began her in-ring exposure on the main roster.
They competed in both tag team matches and mixed tag matches, teaming at times with male wrestlers.
Highlights & Championships
-
Brie Bella is a one-time WWE Divas Champion.
-
In 2021, Brie and Nikki were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a duo (The Bella Twins).
-
Over time, Brie’s in-ring appearances became less frequent; in her later years she took more of an ambassador role and made occasional special appearances.
Brie officially retired from full-time wrestling on January 29, 2022.
During her WWE tenure, she also starred in reality television:
-
She was part of Total Divas (2013–2019) on E!
-
She and Nikki had their own spin-off show Total Bellas beginning in 2016.
They also appeared in movies (e.g. Confessions of a Womanizer) and voice roles (e.g. The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown!).
Post-Wrestling & Business Ventures
After her active wrestling years, Brie pivoted to media, brand building, and entrepreneurship.
Rebranding & Name Change
In March 2023, Brie and Nikki announced they would drop their ring surname “Bella” and revert to their maiden name, Garcia, reintroducing themselves as “The Garcia Twins.”
Media & Content
-
They launched a podcast, originally called The Bellas Podcast, later renamed The Nikki & Brie Show.
-
They co-host Twin Love, a reality dating series for Amazon Prime Video.
Brands & Products
Brie and Nikki have developed multiple brands:
-
Belle Radici — their wine label.
-
Bonita Bonita — another wine brand they expanded post-WWE.
-
Birdiebee — a lifestyle, activewear, and intimates brand.
-
Nicole + Brizee — a beauty and body line.
They also got involved in baby gear and creative advisory roles, including a baby gear collection with Colugo, and serving as investors or advisors for related ventures.
Personal Life
Brie became engaged to fellow professional wrestler Bryan Danielson (also known as Daniel Bryan) in 2013.
Brie is also known for philanthropy: for example, she donated surplus breast milk to hospitalized newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
She and Nikki grew up caring for animals and living the farm life, which they have occasionally referenced in media interviews.
Public Persona, Influence & Legacy
Brie Bella’s legacy spans more than in-ring success:
-
She helped elevate women’s wrestling in WWE, especially during the era when female performers were often underutilized.
-
As part of The Bella Twins, she contributed to bringing celebrity crossover (reality TV, fashion, branding) into wrestling culture.
-
Their rebranding from “Bella” to “Garcia” is symbolic—insisting on authenticity and personal identity beyond the ring persona.
-
Through their brands, media presence, and entrepreneurial efforts, Brie and Nikki have shown how wrestlers can transition into broader lifestyle and business platforms.
-
Brie maintains a supportive role in her twin’s public life and their joint ventures, emphasizing family, creative control, and reinvention.
Selected Quotes (Attributed)
While Brie Bella isn’t primarily known for widely cited quotes, here is an example:
“We are reclaiming our power and making our own decisions.” — referencing the shift from “Bella” back to “Garcia.”
Her public statements often emphasize authenticity, empowerment, and the importance of owning one’s identity.
Lessons & Insights
-
Reinvention matters: Transitioning from wrestler to media entrepreneur, Brie has shown how public figures can continuously evolve.
-
Identity & authenticity: The choice to drop “Bella” reflects reclaiming one’s roots and rejecting a persona wholly defined by others.
-
Diversification: Her success with wine brands, podcasts, fashion, and baby gear demonstrates the power of branching beyond one profession.
-
Sisterhood & partnership: Much of Brie’s success has been tied to her collaboration with Nikki—a reminder of how collaborative partnerships can amplify impact.
-
Life beyond the ring: Her decisions underscore that a strong foundation outside wrestling (family, brand, voice) is essential to lasting influence.
Conclusion
Brie Bella is an example of how an athlete/performer can build a multi-dimensional legacy. From her early years on the farm, to becoming a WWE star, to transforming into a media entrepreneur and brand builder, her journey highlights resilience, reinvention, and ownership of one’s story.