Who Is Jrue Holiday Wife
Jrue Holiday’s wife is Lauren Holiday (née Cheney), an American former professional soccer player born on September 30, 1987, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jrue Holiday is a two-time NBA champion and All-Star point guard known for his elite defense and championship runs with the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics. Fans searching for “Jrue Holiday wife” want to know more about the woman who has stood beside him through World Cup glory, Olympic gold, a scary health battle, and two NBA titles. This article covers everything about Lauren Holiday — her career, how she met Jrue, their wedding, their kids, and more.
Who Is Lauren Holiday?
Lauren Holiday was born Lauren Cheney on September 30, 1987, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She grew up playing soccer from a young age and quickly showed the talent that would eventually take her to the international stage. Lauren attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she played college soccer and became one of the program’s standout midfielders.
During her time at UCLA, she also crossed paths with a young basketball player named Jrue Holiday, though neither of them knew at the time that their meeting would turn into a lifelong partnership. Lauren’s college soccer career helped set the foundation for her rise into the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) program, where she would go on to become one of the most decorated midfielders of her generation.
Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, Lauren was known for her versatility on the field, playing both attacking and defensive midfield roles. Her leadership qualities and calm decision-making earned her comparisons to a “field general,” a nickname later echoed by her husband when describing her playing style.
Lauren Holiday’s Career & Professional Life
Lauren Holiday built one of the most impressive résumés in U.S. women’s soccer history. She earned Olympic gold medals with the USWNT at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. In 2015, she capped her international career by winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, one of the most celebrated moments in American soccer history.
At the club level, she played in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), winning a championship with FC Kansas City in 2015. Over her national team career, she made more than 130 appearances and scored dozens of goals from the midfield. In 2014, she was honored as the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.
Lauren retired from professional soccer in 2016 to focus on starting a family. Since retiring, she has stayed closely connected to the sport. In 2025, Lauren and Jrue joined the ownership group of the North Carolina Courage, an NWSL club, through their Holiday Family Trust, with Lauren serving as an advisor and ambassador. The NWSL also created the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, given annually to a player who makes a strong contribution to their local community — a lasting tribute to her legacy in the sport.
How Did Jrue Holiday and Lauren Holiday Meet?
Jrue Holiday and Lauren first met at UCLA back in 2008, while both were student-athletes on campus. According to Jrue’s own account of their meeting, he was walking to his seat at a women’s basketball game during his freshman year when a young fan mistook him for another player. Lauren, sitting nearby, jokingly reassured him that he was better-looking than the player he’d been confused with — a lighthearted moment that sparked their connection.
At the time, both were focused on their athletic careers and were seeing other people, so their relationship started as a friendship. Over time, especially after Jrue was drafted into the NBA and Lauren turned pro in soccer, that friendship grew into something more. The two bonded over their shared passion for sports and community service, later returning to UCLA together to host joint basketball and soccer clinics for young athletes.
As their romance developed, Jrue became one of Lauren’s biggest supporters, even flying to Germany in 2011 to cheer her on at the Women’s World Cup. Their relationship deepened over several years of dating before Jrue eventually proposed, leading the couple toward marriage.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Jrue Holiday and Lauren Holiday got married in July 2013, tying the knot in a private ceremony surrounded by family and close friends. The wedding came after years of dating that began during their college days at UCLA. In their wedding video, Jrue spoke about how excited he was to start a family with Lauren, calling it one of the best things that would ever happen to him.
Since their wedding, the couple has remained one of the most respected pairings in American sports, admired not just for their athletic accomplishments but for their strong partnership through both celebration and hardship.
Children & Family Life
Jrue and Lauren Holiday are parents to two children. Their first child, a daughter named Jrue Tyler Holiday, was born in September 2016. Lauren’s pregnancy came with an unexpected challenge — she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor while six months pregnant. She gave birth to her daughter first, and doctors removed the tumor about six weeks later at Duke University Hospital. Jrue took an indefinite leave of absence from the New Orleans Pelicans at the time to care for his wife and newborn daughter, a decision that earned widespread respect around the NBA.
The couple later welcomed a son, Hendrix. The Holiday family has been seen together at NBA games and championship celebrations, including when Jrue’s son joined him on the podium after the Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA title. Despite their public profiles, Jrue and Lauren keep much of their day-to-day family life private, focusing their public efforts on their charitable work through the JLH Social Impact Fund.
Lauren Holiday on Social Media
Lauren Holiday maintains a presence on Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her family life, throwbacks from her soccer career, and updates related to the Holiday Family Trust and the JLH Social Impact Fund. Her posts often highlight moments with Jrue and their two children, along with her continued connection to women’s soccer through her advisory role with the North Carolina Courage. While she keeps a lower profile than during her playing days, her account remains a window into her life as a mother, former athlete, and advocate for the women’s game.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lauren Cheney Holiday |
| Date of Birth | September 30, 1987 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former professional soccer player, NWSL club advisor |
| Married to | Jrue Holiday |
| Marriage Year | 2013 |
| Children | 2 (daughter Jrue Tyler, son Hendrix) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Jrue Holiday’s wife’s name?
A: Jrue Holiday’s wife is Lauren Holiday, formerly known as Lauren Cheney. She is a retired professional soccer player and Olympic gold medalist.
Q: How old is Lauren Holiday? A
: Lauren Holiday was born on September 30, 1987, in Indianapolis, Indiana, making her in her late thirties as of 2026.
Q: What does Lauren Holiday do for a living?
A: Lauren Holiday is a retired professional soccer player who won a World Cup and two Olympic gold medals. She now serves as an advisor for the NWSL’s North Carolina Courage.
Q: When did Jrue Holiday and Lauren get married?
A: Jrue Holiday and Lauren got married in July 2013 after meeting years earlier as student-athletes at UCLA.
Q: How many kids do Jrue Holiday and Lauren have?
A: Jrue and Lauren Holiday have two children together: a daughter named Jrue Tyler Holiday, born in 2016, and a son named Hendrix.
Conclusion
Lauren Holiday is far more than just a name attached to an NBA star. She’s a World Cup champion, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a devoted mother who overcame a serious health scare to build a strong family life with her husband. Jrue Holiday’s wife has left her own mark on American soccer while continuing to support the sport through her advisory work today. Together, Jrue and Lauren Holiday remain one of the most admired couples in American sports, balancing high-profile careers with a private, close-knit family life.