Giannis Antetokounmpo Defends His Marriage
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been opening up about his personal life lately and is standing up for his wife, Mariah.
This week, he appeared on ‘AnesTea The Podcast’ and shared insights about their relationship, addressing some critics who suggest he could have chosen a “better” partner.
“I’ve heard people say things like, ‘Why is Giannis with his wife? He could be with a model—maybe ten models!'” he remarked. “But my wife is honest with me. She genuinely loves me and isn’t afraid to tell me when I mess up. She instills the same honesty in our kids. I know she’d do anything for them, even if it means being tough on me. That’s what matters most to me.”
“I’m deeply in love. I really cherish her, both as my partner and as a mother.”
The two-time MVP and 10-time All-Star first met Mariah during the NBA Summer League back in 2014, right before his second year in the league. Reflecting on their first encounter, he shared that he felt a connection instantly.
“I knew right away that she was going to be my wife,” he said. “I met her in Las Vegas, and afterwards, I tried connecting with her, but it took some time. Then she told me, ‘I want to get to know you,’ which led me to start flying to Miami.”
He chuckled as he recounted her playful comment about wanting to know him better. “It caught my attention. A week later, there she was in Miami, and I thought, ‘Wow, are you really here?’ She took the time to spend with her family, and I knew right then she was special. Since that moment, she’s always been by my side, and now we have four kids together.”
Mariah has played a crucial role in his journey from a Milwaukee rookie to an NBA champion.
Their first child, Liam Charles Antetokounmpo, was born in February 2020. Since then, they’ve welcomed three more children: Maverick Shai, who’s 4, Eva Brooke, who’s 2, and Alia Capri, who just turned 1 in May. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in Greece in August 2024.
Looking ahead, Giannis is about to face significant changes in his career as he was recently traded to the Miami Heat. In this deal, he was swapped alongside Bobby Portis in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’El Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and several draft picks.
Last season, Giannis faced injury challenges, appearing in only 36 games while averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, mostly due to knee issues.
