Michael Jordan might be known as the greatest basketball player of all time, but his love life has its own championship-worthy stories. Let’s dive into the world of Michael Jordan’s relationships, from his first wife to his current one, with a little bit of everything in between.
Who Is Michael Jordan’s Wife? All About Yvette Prieto and His First Spouse, Juanita Vanoy
Michael Jordan married his first wife, Juanita Vanoy, in 1989, and they had three children before divorcing in 2006 with Juanita receiving a $168 million settlement. In 2013, he married Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto, who is 16 years younger than him, and they have twin daughters born in 2014. As of 2025, Jordan’s ex-wife, Juanita’s age, is 65, while his current spouse, Yvette, is only 46 years old.
Back in 1985, when Michael Jordan was just one season into his career with the Chicago Bulls, he met Juanita Vanoy, his first wife. They crossed paths at a Bennigan’s restaurant in Chicago, introduced by a mutual friend after a Bulls game. Juanita was a loan officer at the time, working on getting her associate’s degree, and Michael was already making waves in the NBA. Their relationship progressed quickly, and by 1988, Juanita was pregnant with their first child, Jeffrey.
Things weren’t all smooth sailing, though. There was even talk of a paternity suit because Jordan wasn’t giving Juanita the assurances she needed about the unborn baby. But love (or maybe a good lawyer) prevailed, and they tied the knot in a 3:30 a.m. ceremony at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas on September 2, 1989, almost a year after Jeffrey was born.
The couple went on to have two more children, Marcus in 1990 and Jasmine in 1992. Juanita was the glue holding down the fort while Michael was busy becoming a basketball legend. She was described by Michael as “very independent, very demanding, but a good mother.” Despite their high-profile life, they tried to keep things grounded. Juanita even insisted their sons not wear the iconic No. 23 jersey to ensure they carved out their own identities.
But not all stories have fairy-tale endings. In January 2002, Juanita filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.” They reconciled briefly, but by 2006, it was clear the marriage was over. Their divorce was one for the history books—Juanita walked away with a $168 million settlement, one of the most expensive celebrity divorces at the time. She also got custody of their three kids. Post-divorce, Juanita stayed out of the spotlight, focusing on raising her children, collecting art, practicing Bikram yoga, and traveling through Europe. She later started her own luxury resale boutique, Juanita World, and even became a co-producer for the Broadway show Some Like It Hot.
Fast forward a few years, and Michael Jordan found love again. Enter Yvette Prieto, a Cuban-American model born on March 26, 1979. That makes her 16 years younger than Michael. They met in 2008 at a nightclub in Miami, just about a year after Michael’s divorce from Juanita was finalized. Sparks flew, and by 2009, they moved in together. Michael proposed during the Christmas holiday in 2011 while they were vacationing in Monaco, and let’s just say he spared no expense—the engagement ring reportedly cost seven figures!
Their wedding on April 27, 2013, was nothing short of spectacular. Held at the Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach, Florida, the ceremony was followed by a lavish reception at the Bear’s Club, a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The event reportedly cost $10 million and had a star-studded guest list, including Tiger Woods, Spike Lee, Patrick Ewing, and Scottie Pippen. Usher and Robin Thicke performed, and Yvette dazzled in a French silk J’Aton Couture gown adorned with Swarovski crystals. They even had a seven-layer white rum cake decorated with crystals and their monogram.
Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto have kept their relationship relatively private, often shying away from social media. But they’re occasionally spotted together, whether it’s courtside at a Charlotte Hornets game—where Michael is a part-owner—or vacationing in exotic locales like Croatia or Italy. They’ve been seen sailing, even though Michael isn’t a fan of the water, but he’ll do it because Yvette loves it.
Michael Jordan et sa femme Yvette.❤️pic.twitter.com/0OxwMYfpcg
— Jordan Wrld (@MJordan_World) October 19, 2023
In February 2014, the couple welcomed identical twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel. Much like their parents, the girls are kept out of the limelight, with few, if any, photos shared publicly. Michael now has five children in total, including his three from his first marriage. His daughter Jasmine works as an executive for Nike’s Jordan Brand and has a son, Rakeem Michael Christmas, with former basketball player Rakeem Christmas. Marcus, his middle son, played college basketball at the University of Central Florida and later opened a sneaker store called The Trophy Room. Jeffrey, the oldest, also played college basketball and now works for the Jordan Brand in digital innovation.
Of course, no high-profile life comes without its share of rumors. In 2013, a woman named Pamela Smith claimed Michael Jordan was the father of her son, Taj, from an affair during his marriage to Juanita. Taj even posted a YouTube video claiming Michael was his dad. But a judge later dismissed the case, and Pamela was fined for lying. Another woman, Karla Knafel, made a similar claim in 1991, but a DNA test proved Michael wasn’t the father.
Despite all the twists and turns in his love life, Michael Jordan seems to have found lasting happiness with Yvette Prieto. They’ve been married for over a decade now, and while they keep things private, it’s clear they’re still going strong. Whether it’s attending NASCAR races, sailing trips, or just enjoying life between their homes in Florida and North Carolina, Michael and Yvette seem to have found their winning formula off the court.
