“Older Gal With a Younger Fella”: Gabrielle Union Reveals 9 Years Younger Dwyane Wade Helped Her Overcome Marital Fear

The Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union relationship has been a roller-coaster ride. From Wade fathering a child during their brief split in 2013 to Union’s multiple miscarriages later on, the couple has passed the test of time in different circumstances and still stands strong together. Considering the age gap, even the start of the relationship for them may not have been an easy step. Notably, Gabrielle is 9 years older than her husband. Something which even she referenced recently at an event.  

The conversation stemmed from a discussion on The Idea of You, which is a rom-com produced by Gabrielle. Notably, the story revolves around a woman in her 40s losing her sense of value in the world till she meets a musician in his 20s and falls in love. “I love that story, I can relate to that story. I happen to be an older gal with a younger fella,” she stated at the event, as per an article by Business Insider. This was a reference to her husband, Dwyane Wade, who likely helped Union see her true self.

“The be truly seen is to be truly loved. And when you are finally able to see yourself, that’s the best kind of love… I’m the hottest I’ve ever been, I feel like,” Union proudly stated.

She further stated at the event that in order for a person to be truly seen, that person needs to be truly loved. However, this journey of love has not been an easy one for the couple. Gabrielle had once mentioned this age gap as a fear in her 2017 book ‘We’re Going to Need More Wine’. 

She stated in her book the nine-year gap between her and Wade felt like a literal time bomb built into the marriage. She believed this situation to be a recurring joke, which is sometimes funny and then it’s not. But it seems like the 3x NBA champion has constantly helped his wife through this fear through this relationship. The couple still standing together is a testament to this assumption.  

Overcoming obstacles, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have become couple goals

The two had met for the first time back in 2007 at a Super Bowl party. However, as per Gabrielle’s confession in 2014, Wade did not have much to offer for a first impression. “When I met Dwyane, his résumé looked like crap: athlete, going through a divorce, nine years younger than me. None of that screamed, ‘Let’s have a lasting relationship,'” she had stated.

But it seems destiny would have it otherwise, as after going through a terrible breakup, Union made up her mind to give the Heat icon a chance. There were rumors of the two dating each other and they even started making public appearances in 2010. And although they had a brief split around 2013, the couple survived that phase. They eventually announced their engagement in 2013. 

As per what Gabrielle stated on Good Morning America, The Flash involved his kids in his proposal for marriage. “They were like, ‘We wanna do a presentation for you.’ They like to do skits and songs and stuff, so we turn around, and they’re like, ‘Okay, we’re ready!’ and I turned back around and all the boys were holding up signs that said, ‘Will you marry us?'” she recollected. 

The two later got married in Florida in August 2014, and from infertility issues to welcoming their first child together through surrogacy, the couple witnessed multiple ups and downs together. There were even divorce rumors back in 2023. But they put an end to them through their social media posts. In fact, Gabrielle celebrated Dwyane Wade’s 42nd birthday with him, furthering their stand on such rumors.