Who Is Mitsuko Baisho? Ex-Wife Of Late Wrestling Champion Antonio Inoki

The founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) Antonio Inoki passed away at the age of 79. The former professional wrestler is survived by his ex-wife Mitsuko Baisho and their daughter Hiroko Inoki.

Antonio Inoki was born in 1943 and entered Japanese professional wrestling when he was 17. After he was expelled from Japan Pro Wrestling, he founded the New Japan Pro Wrestling and later became the first ever IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

Inoki is a twelve-time professional wrestling world champion and made history when he became the first Asian WWF Heavyweight Champion.

Inoki got married to actor Mitsuko Baisho in 1971 and the couple had a daughter together. They got separated in 1987. Two years later, the wrestler entered politics.

During his first term with the Japanese House of Councillors, Inoki successfully negotiated with Saddam Hussein for the release of Japanese hostages before the Gulf War.

The NJPW released a statement saying, “Inoki was battling with ‘systemic transthyretin amyloidosis’, which is said to affect one in tens of thousands of people. Hi is 79 years old.”

Who Is Mitsuko Baisho?

• Mitsuko Baisho is a Japanese actor who got married to the wrestler Antonio Inoki in 1971.
• The couple had a daughter together, Hiroko Inoki.
• Baisho’s sister is the actor and singer Chieko Baisho. Both Mitsuko and Chieko Baisho have won Hochi Film Awards for acting.
• Baisho is internationally best known for working with director Shohei Imamura, from 1979 until his final film in 2010.
• The actor made her debut as an actor in the film Hitokiri in 1969.
• She won awards for the best actress at the 10th Hochi Film Award for the films Love Letter and Ikiteru Uchi ga Hana nano yo Shindara Sore made yo to Sengen.
• Baisho also won the award for the best-supporting actress at the 8^th Hochi Film Award for The Geisha and the 22^nd Hochi Film Award for Tokyo Lullaby.
• Baisho also appeared in television series and films such as Sword of Fury, Vengeance Is Mine, The Crazy Family, A Last Note, Tokyo Lullaby, Kagemusha, and Ryomaden.

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