Behind a very successful Meyers Leonard whose net worth currently stands at $10.6 million is someone who keeps things running smoothly, and for Leonard, that person is his wife, Ella Bielfeldt. She’s not just his biggest supporter—she’s actively involved in their business endeavors, proving they’re a true power couple. And the best part? They never want to be apart.

In fact, their bond is so strong that separation is basically off the table. “There has been no point in our entire relationship where it’s just two months we haven’t seen one another,” 33-year-old Ella shared about their decade-long romance. “I really like having him around.”

And despite Leonard’s intimidating 7-foot-3 wingspan and shot-blocking abilities, Ella insists he’s nothing but a teddy bear. “He’s so sweet,” she gushed. “The most lovable guy. Even though he’s a giant, he’s just one of those people you want to, like, grab and hold.” 

But who is this incredible woman who stands by Leonard’s side in life and business? Ella Bielfeldt isn’t just a basketball wife—she’s an entrepreneur in her own right. And just like her husband, she has a history on the court. Reports reveal that she played for the Peoria Notre Dame girls’ team, proving that basketball runs in her blood, too.

Meyers Leonard and Ella Beifeldt: How their story started

Their love story began when they were just 19. The year was 2011, and both were freshmen at the University of Illinois. The connection happened when Leonard was hosting Max Bielfeldt—Ella’s brother—who was in town for his official recruiting visit. That weekend would turn out to be life-changing for the future couple.

Interestingly, Max ended up choosing Michigan over Illinois. But while Illinois lost a recruit, Meyers Leonard won something even greater—his future wife. Though it took a little time before they officially started dating, that one weekend set the stage for a lifelong partnership, both on and off the court.

“She wouldn’t let me take her to dinner,” Leonard recalled. “She said, ‘We can shoot jump shots if you’d like.’ I said: ‘Perfect. I’m poor, and I can’t pay anyways, and I’m good at shooting a basketball as well.’”

That first “date” turned into a five-hour gym session. Ella, a former high school player, may not have played for Illinois, but basketball was always in her blood. They spent two hours shooting, then three more just talking. And from that moment on, they were inseparable. “We’ve always bonded over going to the court and just hanging out and talking,” Ella said. Shooting buddies turned life partners—it doesn’t get better than that.

But their chemistry wasn’t just limited to the court. While Meyers made a name for himself in the NBA, Ella was making things happen behind the scenes. After earning a marketing and advertising degree from Illinois in 2014, she moved to Portland and took on a new role—business manager for her husband. She handled schedules, built his basketball camp website, and managed countless other details.

And Meyers never forgot it. “She’s always been my rock,” he said. “She put everything on the back burner for me, and now she’s able to show people her talents. I love that.”

From supporting his career to growing their business ventures together, Ella has been much more than just a supportive wife—she’s been his ultimate teammate.

Ella Bielfeldt is Meyers Leonard’s business partner

Back in 2016, for months, Meyers Leonard felt drained. He struggled with sleep, lacked energy, and couldn’t figure out why. Desperate for a fix, he overhauled his diet—cutting out gluten, dairy, and processed sugars. The results? Immediate. But there was one problem: he couldn’t find enough healthy, tasty snacks to fuel his workouts. That’s when his wife, Ella, stepped in with a challenge.

One night in their Portland kitchen, Ella started experimenting. She studied the ingredients of popular energy bars, mixed up her own version, and handed it to Meyers for a taste test. His reaction? “I was like: ‘Wait a minute. This is actually pretty good,’” he said, laughing. What started as a casual kitchen experiment quickly turned into something bigger.

By late 2019, Level was officially born—a food company built on the very snacks Ella created. In less than a year, their protein bars, available in four flavors, generated over $250,000 in revenue, with an impressive 12% monthly sales growth. And while they’re growing fast, the Leonards are staying true to their vision.

“It’s going to be clear extensions based off our current offering,” Ella explained. “We’re not trying to play into the meal replacement space. We’re doing purely the in-between meals or snacks.” 

For the Leonards, Level isn’t just business—it’s a passion project fueled by their love of nutrition, competition, and, of course, each other.