Michael Strahan has lived a life in the spotlight, from dominating on the football field to becoming a beloved television personality. But when it comes to his personal life, he’s played things much closer to the vest. Still, the details of his relationships, marriages, children, and the trials they’ve faced have found their way into the public eye.
All About Michael Strahan’s Wife and His Daughter’s Battle With Cancer
Michael Strahan, who was first married to his ex-wife Wanda Hutchins, shares two kids with her—Tanita, his oldest daughter, and Michael Jr.—and has four children overall. His daughter Isabella, from his second wife, Jean Muggli, faced a tough battle with cancer, and at the age of 19, she underwent treatment while he took time off work to support her, often sharing photos to update fans. While dating his girlfriend Kayla Quick, Strahan remains devoted to his children and continues co-parenting with his ex-wives, ensuring his family stays strong despite past challenges.
Strahan’s first experience with marriage came in 1992 when he wed Wanda Hutchins, an interior designer. They met while he was living in Germany, where his father was stationed in the military. He was just 20 years old at the time, balancing life between Germany and Texas Southern University, where he played football. That same year, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Tanita Strahan.
A year later, their son, Michael Strahan Jr., was born. At just 21 years old, Strahan was juggling fatherhood, college football, and the prospect of an NFL career. When he was drafted by the New York Giants in 1993, it was clear that his world was about to change. But while his career was on the rise, his marriage to Hutchins began to falter.
In 1996, after four years together, they decided to part ways. Despite the split, they remained on good terms. Hutchins stayed in Germany with their two children, but Strahan remained a hands-on father, frequently traveling back and forth to see them. Eventually, Tanita and Michael Jr. moved to Houston for high school, bringing them closer to their father’s home base.
After his first marriage ended, Strahan found love again with Jean Muggli. Their romance started in an unexpected place—a salon where they first met. They tied the knot in 1999, and five years later, in 2004, they welcomed twin daughters, Isabella and Sophia. But just months after their birth, cracks in their marriage began to show. The divorce, finalized in 2006, was anything but amicable. Muggli accused Strahan of domestic violence, a claim that was later dismissed by the court.
Strahan, on the other hand, alleged that Muggli had emotionally and physically abused their daughters. Their legal battles continued for years, culminating in a prolonged custody dispute that wasn’t resolved until 2020. Strahan has always maintained that his daughters were his top priority, stating, “I owe it to my daughters to end my marriage respectfully and with dignity.”
Despite the tumultuous history with Muggli, Strahan has remained a devoted father. His twins, Sophia and Isabella, have been at the center of his world. The family faced an unimaginable hardship in 2023 when Isabella was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Strahan took a leave of absence from Good Morning America to be with her during treatments. She underwent multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy, and by July 2024, she was declared cancer-free. Isabella’s battle and recovery will be showcased in an upcoming ABC special, Life Interrupted: Isabella Strahan’s Fight Against Cancer, premiering in February 2025.
Outside of his marriages, Strahan’s love life has had its fair share of public attention. After his divorce from Muggli, he started dating Nicole Murphy, the ex-wife of Eddie Murphy. The two got engaged in 2009 and seemed poised for a happily ever after. However, their relationship ended in 2014 due to the challenges of maintaining a long-distance romance. Despite the split, both expressed admiration and respect for each other.
Since 2015, Michael Strahan has been in a relationship with Kayla Quick. Unlike his past relationships, this one has remained relatively private. Quick, the co-founder and CEO of FIZZNESS, a wellness brand, has largely stayed out of the limelight. She made a rare public appearance alongside Strahan at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in January 2023, where they were photographed sharing a moment together.
While she doesn’t maintain a public social media presence, Quick has been involved in Strahan’s business ventures, even collaborating with his daughter Isabella on promotional work for a coconut water brand. The couple also shares a dog named Zuma, whom they adopted in 2023.
