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Broken Harts: The Life and Death of Owen Hart
Owen's wife Martha, tells the story of their life together from the days as high school sweethearts, through Owen's rise to fame in the WWF.
272 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 6, 2020
For years, I was kind of annoyed at Martha. Yes, I understood that the wrestling business, which she had so many reasons to loathe, took her husband and destroyed her family but there were countless fans of Owen's (including myself) that wanted a DVD retrospective of Owen's career. However, without Martha's blessing, this was never going to happen. After reading this book, I can fully understand why she would never want to associate her husband with the product again.
In the first half of the book, Martha briefly takes you through Owen's humble beginnings as a part of the most insane wrestling family I've ever read about (with this book, marks the 4th exposure of I've had to the Hart family - not counting the first 5 pages I read of Diana Hart's tell all book which is mostly regarded as complete garbage) to his attempt to distance himself from the business time and time again yet only to get pulled back in. The second half is spent on the death of Owen, the investigation that followed and the massive lawsuit issued by Owen's family.
Martha paints a picture of Owen as the ultimate devoted husband and the absolute epitome of perfection. While it's clear to Martha that Owen loved his family, she describes Owen as someone who hated his job about 80% of the time. While its been noted in the past that Owen never wanted to pursue professional wrestling as a full time career, several others have gone on record to state that Owen was generally having a great time more often than not when on the road. Part of me would have to give the benefit of the doubt to the man's wife but the negative attitude Owen seemed to have against the business at times seemed a little surprising as the reader might begin to wonder if Martha's feelings are leaking into Owen's perspective.
Regardless, Owen did have many reasons to hate the product in the late 90's. While some wrestling fans may consider that of the Attitude Era to be the most compelling television the "sport" has ever produced, the exact opposite of Owen's character was pushed to the top of the food chain leaving the devoted family man square in the middle or near the bottom. Add that to the fact that his entire family had left the company following the infamous "Montreal Screwjob" leaving Owen to fend for himself. Martha does go into detail about Owen's frequent calls home describing his disgust for the late 90's product we all know and love.
The book at times made me angry at how this whole thing occurred, that this ridiculous and completely unnecessary stunt destroyed a family. While I can understand the ratings war and I can understand the storylines needed to drive the emotion within any given feud, the fact that the production team wanted Owen to be able to snap loose from his harness in a matter of seconds rather than fumbling to try and get it off for a tad bit longer is ridiculous; would it have really made a difference?
Martha's description of the Harts and how they basically turned their backs on her in order to procure jobs for their husbands was awful, a fact echoed in Bret's book released in 2007. In the early stages of the reaction to Owen's death, the Hart brothers and sisters lashed out at Vince and the current state of professional wrestling. Shortly after however, they (aside from a select few) were seen as being very cordial to Vince in an attempt to convince McMahon to hire Jim Neidhart and Davey Boy Smith for another WWE run, a turn of events that sickened Martha.
The book goes on to take you through the eventful and lengthy lawsuit that followed as both sides bickered back and forth on a settlement. Following that, Martha goes on to cover how her life had changed several years later. Following Owen's death, Martha created the Owen Hart foundation, an organization used to benefit several charities as well as pursuing her goal to work in the field of psychology.
I can't believe how hesitant I was to read this book, at times, I was annoyed as it wasn't what I thought it was going to be as it only coveres a small portion of Owen's life and focused mainly on the death, funeral and lawsuit more than anything - which still ended up being very interesting to say the least. Just as long as you're well aware of this before reading it; it's not a bad read.
In the first half of the book, Martha briefly takes you through Owen's humble beginnings as a part of the most insane wrestling family I've ever read about (with this book, marks the 4th exposure of I've had to the Hart family - not counting the first 5 pages I read of Diana Hart's tell all book which is mostly regarded as complete garbage) to his attempt to distance himself from the business time and time again yet only to get pulled back in. The second half is spent on the death of Owen, the investigation that followed and the massive lawsuit issued by Owen's family.
Martha paints a picture of Owen as the ultimate devoted husband and the absolute epitome of perfection. While it's clear to Martha that Owen loved his family, she describes Owen as someone who hated his job about 80% of the time. While its been noted in the past that Owen never wanted to pursue professional wrestling as a full time career, several others have gone on record to state that Owen was generally having a great time more often than not when on the road. Part of me would have to give the benefit of the doubt to the man's wife but the negative attitude Owen seemed to have against the business at times seemed a little surprising as the reader might begin to wonder if Martha's feelings are leaking into Owen's perspective.
Regardless, Owen did have many reasons to hate the product in the late 90's. While some wrestling fans may consider that of the Attitude Era to be the most compelling television the "sport" has ever produced, the exact opposite of Owen's character was pushed to the top of the food chain leaving the devoted family man square in the middle or near the bottom. Add that to the fact that his entire family had left the company following the infamous "Montreal Screwjob" leaving Owen to fend for himself. Martha does go into detail about Owen's frequent calls home describing his disgust for the late 90's product we all know and love.
The book at times made me angry at how this whole thing occurred, that this ridiculous and completely unnecessary stunt destroyed a family. While I can understand the ratings war and I can understand the storylines needed to drive the emotion within any given feud, the fact that the production team wanted Owen to be able to snap loose from his harness in a matter of seconds rather than fumbling to try and get it off for a tad bit longer is ridiculous; would it have really made a difference?
Martha's description of the Harts and how they basically turned their backs on her in order to procure jobs for their husbands was awful, a fact echoed in Bret's book released in 2007. In the early stages of the reaction to Owen's death, the Hart brothers and sisters lashed out at Vince and the current state of professional wrestling. Shortly after however, they (aside from a select few) were seen as being very cordial to Vince in an attempt to convince McMahon to hire Jim Neidhart and Davey Boy Smith for another WWE run, a turn of events that sickened Martha.
The book goes on to take you through the eventful and lengthy lawsuit that followed as both sides bickered back and forth on a settlement. Following that, Martha goes on to cover how her life had changed several years later. Following Owen's death, Martha created the Owen Hart foundation, an organization used to benefit several charities as well as pursuing her goal to work in the field of psychology.
I can't believe how hesitant I was to read this book, at times, I was annoyed as it wasn't what I thought it was going to be as it only coveres a small portion of Owen's life and focused mainly on the death, funeral and lawsuit more than anything - which still ended up being very interesting to say the least. Just as long as you're well aware of this before reading it; it's not a bad read.
December 10, 2012
Having grown up watching this man on television and in pay per views, even going so far as to meet him at shows over the years before his untimely death, reading this book again was a pleasure for me. To be reminded of the man he was, in and out of the ring and the person he was when he was performing. This was a very well written, concise book and one that I will continue to read over and over as the years pass.
Martha not only gives us a few into her life with Owen, but also a very deep look into the way in which he died which for any fan of the wrestling business, I think is much needed since there wasn't much shown or said by the WWE following his death.
My son recently used this book as the one he wished to write a book report on which sparked me into reading it again after purchasing it the year it was written. Going back in time to that fateful day in May of 1999, it was like watching it happen all over again.
I was one of the people watching on pay per view that day and I will never be able to ever forget what happened and I don't think anyone else that watched that night will either. That was the day wrestling, and the world as a whole lost one of the greatest men to ever step into the ring and one of the most giving people the world has ever seen and to this day I still mourn him.
The way in which this book was written, you can immediately see the heart in it, and the love Martha had for her husband and what he did for a living throughout it. She holds nothing back and she gives answers that people surely have been wondering about for years that were not privy to what happened that day.
I loved this book and most definitely recommend anyone, either a fan of the wrestling business or not to give it a read.
Martha not only gives us a few into her life with Owen, but also a very deep look into the way in which he died which for any fan of the wrestling business, I think is much needed since there wasn't much shown or said by the WWE following his death.
My son recently used this book as the one he wished to write a book report on which sparked me into reading it again after purchasing it the year it was written. Going back in time to that fateful day in May of 1999, it was like watching it happen all over again.
I was one of the people watching on pay per view that day and I will never be able to ever forget what happened and I don't think anyone else that watched that night will either. That was the day wrestling, and the world as a whole lost one of the greatest men to ever step into the ring and one of the most giving people the world has ever seen and to this day I still mourn him.
The way in which this book was written, you can immediately see the heart in it, and the love Martha had for her husband and what he did for a living throughout it. She holds nothing back and she gives answers that people surely have been wondering about for years that were not privy to what happened that day.
I loved this book and most definitely recommend anyone, either a fan of the wrestling business or not to give it a read.
September 10, 2011
This was a very sad book. Whatever people may feel about Martha; she has a right to feel the way she does. Owen's death was so unnecessary and this is what makes his death the most tragic one in the long list of wrestler's deaths. A stunt that never had to happen. It was hard reading this and I believe Martha could have gotten far more if she didn't settle despite the agreement Ellie (Bret's sister)faxed to Vince's lawyers. Then again I can't be fully sure of that. The book was good overall, but very sad to read. There were times Martha could have chosen her words better however. She did refer to Owen's parents as "These people" (I think she was referring to the Hart family in general) and I didn't like that. Stu and Helen were Owen's mother and father, and they could hardly be blamed for the greed of some of their kids who did all they could to use and manipulate them. They did stand with Martha and I didn't blame them for what Ellie, Bruce and others did. And to say that Owen was the white sheep in a very black family was not nice especially when others like Bret, Keith and Georgia had done so much to help her with the suit at that time. She does acknowledge their help in her book, but I agree with Bret when he said she shouldn't have publicly painted them all with the same brush. So she didn't handle everything perfectly, but this was a woman hurting and this book expresses so much of that.
A.M Torres Author of Love Child.
A.M Torres Author of Love Child.
April 30, 2025
Fuck wwf and fuck vince McMahon
January 2, 2023
It took me longer than I expected to finish this book because it was so incredibly emotional for me. When she details the day of his fall my heart was racing like I was watching it play out in front of me. The heartbreaking aftermath brought me to tears multiple times. I think she did an incredible job detailing their lives together and her struggle after his life was over. It's a great read if you want to know about Owen Hart, his family, his death, and the struggle she faced to get any kind of justice.
February 3, 2014
Incredibly sad, Owen was one of my favorite wrestlers.
December 3, 2025
Nestled deep within the wrestling autobiography subgenre is an even deeper sub-subgenre, the wrestler's wives books. Usually these books feel very bitter and cold, but Martha Hart's may be one of the few to actually deserve to be that way, recounting the career, personal life, and death of her late husband, Owen Hart, and the legal battle that ensued between herself and the WWF. This book is very honest and well written, and tremendously saddening. Martha has been a somewhat divisive figure in wrestling but I felt extraordinarily bad for her here and walked away admiring her much more. Owen's career is covered too in the first half, as well as his strained relationship with the rest of his family and his secret dislike for his profession. The fall, its aftermath, the funeral, and the lawsuit are covered in great detail and are summed up very well from the perspective of Martha. The book is brutally honest, but not stuck in the past - Martha honestly airs her rightful grievances against Vince McMahon and the WWF's negligence that night, but ends the book on a hopeful high note by creating the Owen Hart Foundation and publicly forgiving Vince. You can see the love and admiration Martha had for Owen and the immense frustration sustained by mostly her sisters-in-law who attempted to undermine her lawsuit (one of them, Diana, even wrote a sort of response book that I will eventually review, as well). Martha's heart is shown in her writing, displaying an unwavering amount of posthumous justice for her late husband and a courageously honest writing style.
March 6, 2025
Owen Hart was one of my favorite wrestlers when I was growing up. He had this amazing charisma, incredible in-ring skills, and a unique personality that made him really connect with me, even though he was a heel. Like many wrestling fans, I was shocked and saddened when he died in May 1999 at a WWF Pay-Per-View. It was after an unnecessary and stupid stunt that the WWF had him perform.
Owen’s wife, Martha Hart, is a remarkable woman. She’s got a strong sense of justice and is a fighter. In her heartbreaking but powerful book, she talks about how she met Owen, dealing with the Hart family, and the events leading up to her husband’s death and the trauma, heartache, and unimaginable situation she was put in. She had to deal with the dysfunctional Hart family and their individual agendas, as well as a heartless and callous Vince McMahon and WWF during the lawsuit. She also had to find the strength to be there for her two children and to also take care of herself.
This book was incredible, and Martha Hart is a true warrior. Owen’s legacy lives on because of her work with the Owen Hart Foundation.
Owen’s wife, Martha Hart, is a remarkable woman. She’s got a strong sense of justice and is a fighter. In her heartbreaking but powerful book, she talks about how she met Owen, dealing with the Hart family, and the events leading up to her husband’s death and the trauma, heartache, and unimaginable situation she was put in. She had to deal with the dysfunctional Hart family and their individual agendas, as well as a heartless and callous Vince McMahon and WWF during the lawsuit. She also had to find the strength to be there for her two children and to also take care of herself.
This book was incredible, and Martha Hart is a true warrior. Owen’s legacy lives on because of her work with the Owen Hart Foundation.
December 31, 2020
If you're looking for an accurate telling of price wrestling history, this isn't the book for you. There are many things in this book, in regards to wrestling, that are inaccurate. But if that's what you want, you have dozens of options. This is a story only Martha Hart could tell. And she does a very good job of telling it.
You get an emotional telling of her life with Owen Hart, as well as her dealings with his death. No one else could tell about the trial from her perspective. And anyone else that would talk about it would most likely make WWE look better than they deserve to.
The one thing I will say about wrestling inaccuracies, I find it very hard to believe that Owen actually felt like he had nothing to do with Steve Austin getting hurt, or that he could have been faking the injury for time off. I'm not a wrestling expert, nor am I a doctor. But watching the match it's obvious to see that Owen spikes Steve Austin onto the top of his head with that piledriver. There is no way he could have watched that and thought he did nothing wrong.
You get an emotional telling of her life with Owen Hart, as well as her dealings with his death. No one else could tell about the trial from her perspective. And anyone else that would talk about it would most likely make WWE look better than they deserve to.
The one thing I will say about wrestling inaccuracies, I find it very hard to believe that Owen actually felt like he had nothing to do with Steve Austin getting hurt, or that he could have been faking the injury for time off. I'm not a wrestling expert, nor am I a doctor. But watching the match it's obvious to see that Owen spikes Steve Austin onto the top of his head with that piledriver. There is no way he could have watched that and thought he did nothing wrong.
May 14, 2021
Very well written and heartfelt
I read this book pretty quickly, very hard to,put down. Even though you knew what was going to happen, you feel yourself being pulled into Martha’s pain and wanting to be able to ease it at the same time wanting to figure how to become as strong as she is. It’s sad but understandable that the kids are separated from the fathers family. Death either pulls family together or apart. Unfortunately it tore the Harts apart but Martha and her kids even closer.
I read this book pretty quickly, very hard to,put down. Even though you knew what was going to happen, you feel yourself being pulled into Martha’s pain and wanting to be able to ease it at the same time wanting to figure how to become as strong as she is. It’s sad but understandable that the kids are separated from the fathers family. Death either pulls family together or apart. Unfortunately it tore the Harts apart but Martha and her kids even closer.
August 26, 2025
Rounded up to 3 because the subject matter was interesting. I don’t normally write reviews, but I’ve been waiting years for my library to get a copy of this book. While Owen and Martha’s backstory was interesting and the details of what actually happened as well, I found Martha to be insufferable. She really came across as miserable and judgmental, well before Owen even died. The final straw for me was her reaction to what females wore to her husband’s funeral. I’m sorry but when a loved one dies the last thing I’m focusing on is funeral attire. It was hard to power through to the end.
February 12, 2018
some grammatical errors--but a worthy read for people interested in the darker side of the wrestling business
March 8, 2020
this is a great read i’ve read it over a dozen times and every time i start it i can put it down
rest in peace owen hart 5/7/65-5/23/99
rest in peace owen hart 5/7/65-5/23/99
July 23, 2023
i’ve read read this book 3 times , it’s heartbreaking . It’s a great memior even if you aren’t a wrestling fan.
April 20, 2024
Interesting read, however I feel she breaks the wrestling world down too far to lamens terms as I doubt anyone who isn't already a wrestling fan would read this.
April 23, 2022
Not a bad book, but having known Owen and how the family felt toward Martha, how she felt and what happened in KC, she is still jaded and bitter. Owen loved her so and in the ends, that's all that really counts.
June 28, 2021
In this book Martha Hart is able to bring Owen Hart back to life through her words and allows his fans to see a glimpse of who he was outside of the squared circle. I understand the frustration that many fans have with the author of this book, she is a controversial figure in terms of some of her decisions with not allowing Owen to have any association with the career we came to love him for. I myself would love to see Owen on the network and more films to be made about his career and the legacy he left behind so prematurely.
After reading this book I was able to see how much this tore her up and how hard she fought for her husband to get justice. I also must admit at points during the book I also became mildly frustrated with her but I also understand some of the decisions that she made were done during the deepest points of her grief and anger with becoming such a young widow over such a preventable accident.
All in all, this story is not one with a happy ending but it does shed some very good light on the state of the infamous royal family of wrestling--The Harts and just how much the death of Owen truly tore the family into multiple sides and different directions. It also exemplifies just how desperate some members of the family were in order to stay in good graces with Vince McMahon. Without giving too much away, I think this book is excellent, exposes a lot of hidden information and it really surprised me. It was heartbreaking, heartwarming and frustrating at times but through the rollercoaster of emotions I was not able to put it down. I think Martha did an amazing job at allowing fans into her and Owen's personal life and giving us more details about his untimely death. His fans miss him but I'm positive there is no one who misses this man more than his wife and children.
After reading this book I was able to see how much this tore her up and how hard she fought for her husband to get justice. I also must admit at points during the book I also became mildly frustrated with her but I also understand some of the decisions that she made were done during the deepest points of her grief and anger with becoming such a young widow over such a preventable accident.
All in all, this story is not one with a happy ending but it does shed some very good light on the state of the infamous royal family of wrestling--The Harts and just how much the death of Owen truly tore the family into multiple sides and different directions. It also exemplifies just how desperate some members of the family were in order to stay in good graces with Vince McMahon. Without giving too much away, I think this book is excellent, exposes a lot of hidden information and it really surprised me. It was heartbreaking, heartwarming and frustrating at times but through the rollercoaster of emotions I was not able to put it down. I think Martha did an amazing job at allowing fans into her and Owen's personal life and giving us more details about his untimely death. His fans miss him but I'm positive there is no one who misses this man more than his wife and children.
June 2, 2017
Very Honest, open and detailed. This book's best quality is how raw and emotional every bit of it is. I encourage every wrestling fan to read this book if they want a true look at the events surrounding Owen's unfortunate passing. The book's early chapters had some great stories on Owen's life behind the scenes with his family that you will not find elsewhere.
The only downside of this book, is like many books that are a personal commentary, some of the comments made about the wrestling business are understandably very biased. Martha at points speculates what Owen felt about certain events, contrasting what co-workers have said about the same situation. However, it is interesting to get a full view of each person who knew him if you read this book along with the many other wrestling novels that mention him.
It is a must read, tug at your heart type of book, that was close to having me in tears at several points. It is a tragedy in every sense of the word throughout the middle, but ends on a more positive moving note.
The only downside of this book, is like many books that are a personal commentary, some of the comments made about the wrestling business are understandably very biased. Martha at points speculates what Owen felt about certain events, contrasting what co-workers have said about the same situation. However, it is interesting to get a full view of each person who knew him if you read this book along with the many other wrestling novels that mention him.
It is a must read, tug at your heart type of book, that was close to having me in tears at several points. It is a tragedy in every sense of the word throughout the middle, but ends on a more positive moving note.
December 28, 2009
I really wish this was a book Martha Hart didn't have to write. She does a great job of giving us some insight into the details of Owen Hart the man, as well as the wrestler. She does go into some graphic detail about his death as well, but its not too over the top, where its unnecessary, but she does it so we know what Owen went through. I went into it thinking she was going to be bitter, which she would have every right to be, but she really handles herself with class. As a fan of wrestling or even if you're just looking for a good biography, then I definitely recommend this book to you.
Read
November 8, 2011Owen Hart is the main reason ( even though he passed away in may of '99 ) why I still watch wrestling every single week. so far I am enjoying it very much. I can feel Martha Hart's pain while I read this, a very emotional read indeed !!! I remember how hysterical I was when Owen passed away and reading this book brings me back to that very night and what I did when I heard the news about Owen's passing.
October 15, 2009
Working in and around the wrestling business for far too many years (I didn't say I was proud of it, but at least I have nothing to be embarrassed about as far as my role is concerned), this story is literally killing me to read. I'll come back to it in a few months.....
March 16, 2011
Compared to other wrestling books, this one falls flat. Sadly, the thing that makes this book so readable is that the Hart family and Owen's death are both so incredibly tragic, like a train wreck you can't avert your eyes from.
February 11, 2016
I don't remember when I read this book, but it made me cry all the way through. I couldn't imagine the pain and heartache Martha Hart went through when Owen passed away. Compelling book. It gives you a look at the other side of pro wrestling.
August 3, 2011
A little much drama sometimes in this book, but when it comes to this family that's hardly unexpected.
July 22, 2013
This book is decent but the author is a little too into her own world. I do admit that I have to admire the philanthropy she has done in Owen's name.
July 26, 2016
I feel for Martha, I really do. But I did not love this book, and she did not come off well to me. And there were errors, which always bothers me ;)
June 8, 2013
What a great story about love, tragedy, and triumph.
December 21, 2017
Entirely from the personal standpoint of Martha Hart (Owen's widow), she recollects every bit of her personal life with him and the latter tragedy, following trial and struggles against WWE, Harts and about making it without her beloved husband and final settlement. Sometimes it drives you into tears, without being a total tearjerker, however I've found it to be a good tribute to late great Owen Hart.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews