Candace Parker Wife:
Candace Parker wife is Anna Petrakova, a Russian former professional basketball player born on December 4, 1984, in Budapest, Hungary.
Candace Parker is one of the most decorated players in women’s basketball history. She is a two-time WNBA MVP, a multiple-time WNBA champion, a two-time NCAA champion at Tennessee, and a respected TV analyst. She was the top pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and won both Rookie of the Year and MVP that same season. Off the court, her love story with Anna Petrakova has drawn just as much attention from fans.
The two women first crossed paths as teammates overseas and slowly grew from friends into partners. They married in December 2019 and now raise a growing family together. In this guide, you will learn about Anna’s early life, her basketball career, how the couple met, their wedding, their children, and how they share their lives with the public.
Who Is Anna Petrakova, Candace Parker’s Wife?
Anna “Anya” Viktorovna Petrakova was born on December 4, 1984, in Budapest, Hungary. She is a Russian basketball player, and she represented Russia at the international level. Based on her birthdate, she is 41 years old as of October 2026.
Basketball runs in her family. Her father, Viktor Petrakov, played for the Soviet Union national team and also played for CSKA Moscow, one of the best-known clubs in European basketball. Her mother’s name is Nina. Growing up in a sporting household helped shape Anna’s path toward the game.
Anna’s education took her far from home. In 2002, she moved to the United States to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she played college basketball. She had to learn English after she arrived, which is not easy for a teenager living in a new country, away from family, while also competing in a demanding sport.
That move shaped her life in a big way. It gave her a degree of independence and a strong connection to American basketball culture. Years later, it helped her settle into life in the United States with Candace and their family.
Anna Petrakova’s Career: What Candace Parker’s Wife Does
Anna built her career as a professional basketball player. After her college years, she returned to the European game and played in Russia’s top league. She spent time with UMMC Ekaterinburg, one of the most powerful women’s clubs in Europe. This is also the team where she met her future wife.
Her biggest moment on the international stage came at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Anna was part of the Russian women’s national team that finished fourth in the tournament. Reaching the Olympic semifinal round and fighting for a medal is a major achievement for any athlete, and it placed her among the top players in her country.
According to some published profiles, Anna retired from professional basketball around 2017, while older reports still listed her with her Russian club. Either way, she is now described as a former pro, and she has kept a more private life.
Playing in Russia also meant long seasons far from home, strict training schedules, and cold winters in Ekaterinburg. Many imported stars, including Candace, chose those leagues for the high salaries and strong competition. For Anna, who grew up in the sport and followed in her father’s footsteps, it was simply the next stage of a lifelong passion. She has not been a regular figure in the media, and she does not appear to have a public business or media career like Candace does.
Because of that, Anna’s net worth has not been publicly confirmed. Candace’s own earnings and career income are better documented, but any figure for Anna would only be a guess. We stick to confirmed facts here. What is clear is that her career gave her a respected place in basketball and a story that fans admire.
How Did Candace Parker and Anna Petrakova Meet?
The couple met around 2012 while playing basketball overseas during the WNBA offseason. Like many American stars, Candace spent winters playing in Russia, and she suited up for UMMC Ekaterinburg for several seasons. Anna was on the same club, so the two became teammates.
At first, they were simply friends. Reports say they even denied there was anything more between them for a while. In an interview with Time, the couple talked about how the relationship developed slowly. Anna has described accepting the idea of being with another woman as a long and hard process. She has said it took about three years for the two of them to admit their feelings.
Candace was also going through her own changes at the time. She had been married before, and she was raising her young daughter, Lailaa. Anna became a part of that family circle early on. Candace has thanked Anna publicly for loving Lailaa as her own.
The next big step came in April 2019. Candace proposed to Anna during a vacation in Mexico. Anna said yes, and the two began planning a small wedding with their closest friends and family.
Their story is often described as a journey from teammates to best friends to spouses. It shows how a strong friendship can grow into something lasting, even when it takes time.
Candace’s own career was moving fast during these years. She won the WNBA title with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016 after earning her second MVP award in 2013, and she later won a championship with her hometown Chicago Sky in October 2021. Through every move and every season, Anna was part of the picture, even when the couple chose to keep their relationship out of the headlines.
In November 2023, ESPN Films released a documentary about Candace’s life called Candace Parker: Unapologetic. It gave fans a closer look at her career, her family, and the people who shaped her, and it helped introduce Anna’s role in her story to a wider audience.
Marriage and Wedding Details of Candace Parker’s Wife
Candace Parker and Anna Petrakova got married in December 2019. Candace later described the day as a small celebration in front of close family and friends. She wrote that she cried like a baby at the ceremony and that her heart “could have exploded,” a moment that fans found very touching.
The couple kept the wedding private for two years. It was not until December 2021 that Candace shared photos for the first time. She posted them on Instagram on their second wedding anniversary, writing that she got to marry her best friend. She also thanked Anna for being her calm, her support, and her voice of reason.
That same post carried a second surprise: the couple announced that they were expecting their first child together. Fans around the world sent congratulations. Candace has said her daughter helped her feel ready to share more about her personal life, and the public response was largely warm and supportive.
Specific details such as the exact venue and guest list were not widely published, so we do not list them here. The couple has continued to mark their anniversary each December with loving messages online.
Candace Parker’s Wife and Children: Family Life
Candace and Anna are raising a blended family. Candace’s daughter, Lailaa Nicole, was born in May 2009 during Candace’s earlier marriage to former NBA player Shelden Williams. Anna has been a steady presence in Lailaa’s life for many years.
Together, the couple has welcomed two sons. Their first son, Airr Larry Petrakov Parker, was born on February 11, 2022. His middle name honors Candace’s father, Larry. Their second son, Hartt Summitt Petrakov Parker, was born in May 2024. His middle name, Summitt, echoes the name of the late Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who guided Candace during her college years and remains a beloved figure in women’s basketball.
That makes three children in the household. Lailaa is now a teenager, and she was excited to become a big sister when the first baby was announced. Having kids across such different ages means family life is full of school events, sports, and plenty of noise.
Candace’s career as a broadcaster adds to the busy schedule. She works as an analyst on TNT’s NBA coverage, which means travel and late nights. Anna’s flexibility since leaving the pro game has helped the family stay grounded, and Candace has openly thanked her for being her “home.” Candace has talked about the busy schedule of being a mother, a broadcaster, and a former pro athlete. She often credits Anna for keeping life steady at home.
Their lifestyle is a mix of public and private. Candace shares family moments, travel, and milestones, while Anna stays more in the background. This balance lets the family enjoy attention from fans without giving up everyday privacy.
Anna Petrakova on Social Media
Anna Petrakova is much less visible online than her wife. She is not known for building a large personal brand, and her follower numbers are not widely reported, so any exact count would be unreliable.
Most of what fans see of Anna comes through Candace’s accounts. Candace regularly shares photos from vacations, birthdays, anniversaries, and quiet days at home. These posts often feature Anna and the kids, and they are written with humor and affection.
If you want to follow the couple, the best place to start is Candace’s official social media profiles, where Anna appears often. You will see family snapshots, sweet anniversary notes, and glimpses of how they spend time together away from basketball.
Quick Facts Table: Candace Parker’s Wife
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anna “Anya” Viktorovna Petrakova |
| Date of Birth | December 4, 1984 |
| Birthplace | Budapest, Hungary |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Profession | Former professional basketball player |
| Education | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
| Married to | Candace Parker |
| Marriage Year | 2019 (December) |
| Children | Two sons together (Airr, Hartt); stepdaughter Lailaa |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
FAQ: Candace Parker’s Wife
Q: What is Candace Parker’s wife’s name? A: Candace Parker’s wife is Anna Petrakova, also known as Anya. She is a former Russian professional basketball player.
Q: How old is Anna Petrakova? A: Anna Petrakova was born on December 4, 1984. She is 41 years old as of October 2026.
Q: What does Anna Petrakova do for a living? A: Anna is a former professional basketball player who played in Russia and for the Russian national team. She retired from the game around 2017.
Q: When did Candace Parker and Anna Petrakova get married? A: They married in December 2019. They shared their wedding photos and news about their first baby two years later, in December 2021.
Q: How many kids do Candace Parker and Anna Petrakova have? A: They have two sons together, Airr (born February 2022) and Hartt (born May 2024). Candace also has a daughter, Lailaa, from a previous marriage.
Conclusion
Anna Petrakova is far more than a name in a headline. She is a Hungarian-born Russian basketball player who built a career at the highest level, represented her country at the 2012 Olympics, and later found love with one of the game’s biggest stars. Anyone searching for Candace Parker wife news will find a story built on friendship, patience, and family.
From teammates in Ekaterinburg to a quiet 2019 wedding and a busy household of three children, the couple has shown how love can grow over time. We wish Candace, Anna, and their family many more happy years together.