Jrue Holiday is known for his excellence on the court, but his life off the court has also garnered quite the attention. Especially when it comes to his wife, former professional soccer star, Lauren Holiday. Their story began in college, where both were standouts at UCLA. Their relationship blossomed as they found mutual grounds through mutual respect, shared struggles, and incredible achievements.

Together, they have created a family and a lasting legacy in their respective sports. The Celtics superstar continues to do so. But this article is dedicated to Lauren. As such, let’s take a deeper dive into her journey, their family, and incredible career.

Who is Jrue Holiday’s wife Lauren? A look back into their days at UCLA

During his freshman year at UCLA, Jrue Holiday had an interesting encounter while attending a women’s basketball game. As he made his way to his seat, a young fan approached him, excitedly asking if he was Darren Collison and if she could get his autograph. Jrue politely explained that he wasn’t Collison and continued to his seat.

A casual comment from Lauren after this incident turned into a lifelong commitment!

Born Lauren Nicole Cheney, Mrs. Holiday is a former professional soccer player who became a household name thanks to her exceptional talent in the field. Long before she became known as Jrue’s wife, she was a remarkable athlete in her own right. But Jrue Holiday’s first impression of Lauren was that she was cute.

“She was really cute, that was the first thing that stood out to me,” he said in a 2015 interview with ESPN. But he knew she was just as competitive. In fact, anyone who has watched or gone up against the former star midfielder on the U.S. women’s soccer team would hardly describe her as cute.

Lauren changes into a different person when she gets on the field. “They call her alter ego ‘Nae Nae.’ Lauren is the normal one, but ‘Nae Nae’ is the competitive one who is just scrappy and doesn’t want to lose ever,” Holiday recounted. Their initial meeting, however, did not immediately transform into a relationship.

For one, they were both in their respective relationships. But they did become fast friends, which developed into a romantic relationship. Aside from being cute, there was something else that appealed to Holiday. “She was older than me, which was cool. I was a freshman, and I think she was a junior. At the time we were both with other people, but we did become friends, and months later, after I got drafted, we started dating.”

After a year-long engagement, Jrue and Lauren were married in Malibu, California. Many of Jrue’s former 76ers teammates attended the seaside nuptials, including Andre Iguodala, Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes, and Royal Ivey, plus Jason Richardson and his wife Jackie.

Do Jrue Holiday and Lauren have children together?

The power couple are proud parents of two children. Their first child, a daughter named Jrue Tyler, was born in 2016, just weeks before Lauren was set to undergo brain surgery. The timing was particularly challenging, as Lauren had been diagnosed with a meningioma, a type of brain tumor, while she was six months pregnant.

She had been experiencing severe headaches before the diagnosis was made, before finally leading to the discovery of the tumor. Amid the challenging phase, she gave birth to their little girl in North Carolina. In 2020, they expanded their family with the arrival of their son, Hendrix. Throughout this challenging period, Jrue Holiday’s dedication to his family was evident.

When Lauren was undergoing treatment, the veteran guard had taken a leave of absence at the beginning of the 2016-17 season, to support his wife. The Holidays often share heartfelt moments with their children on social media, showcasing their family’s close bond.

Despite their demanding careers, Jrue and Lauren have always made family a top priority, with Jrue frequently expressing his gratitude and love for Lauren and their children. “It’s always been God, family and basketball. To put them before basketball to me is a blessing. And God has blessed me with so much more after that. I don’t know if I could be playing without my family,” he admitted to Marc J. Spears in a 2019 interview.

Is Lauren Holiday an Olympic gold medalist? A glance into her historic Soccer career

Lauren Holiday’s soccer career is nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did she play for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), but she was also a key part of two Olympic gold medal-winning teams, first in 2008 and again in 2012. Her ability to perform at the highest levels made her one of the best players of her generation.

But it doesn’t stop there—Lauren was also a crucial contributor to the U.S. Women’s team’s victory in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, cementing her place as a legend in the world of women’s soccer.

Her time with the USWNT, where she earned more than 130 caps and scored numerous goals, showcased her versatility on the field. Not just a midfielder, Lauren was also a forward and played in various positions, always with the intent to serve her team and lead by example. Her legacy is celebrated as one of the best U.S. players in history, and her impact extends far beyond the soccer field.

Despite stepping away from professional sports to focus on her family, Lauren’s influence on the soccer world remains profound. Her commitment to both her career and her family continues to inspire, making her a standout figure in the world of sports.

From their UCLA days to the incredible careers they’ve built, Lauren and Jrue Holiday are true power players in every sense of the word. Whether it’s her gold medals or their shared family moments, Lauren’s life is a testament to dedication, strength, and the power of teamwork—on and off the field.

By the way, want to know what Mrs. Holiday said to Jrue when they first met? “Don’t worry, you’re cuter than Darren is.”