Power Couples: Athletes And Celebrities
- Author:
- Publish date:
Power Couples: Athletes And Celebrities
David and Victoria Beckham, the UK's "golden couple," were married in July 1999 and have three children. While David continues to play for Real Madrid, the former Posh Spice has been unable to resurrect her music career.
Derek Jeter and new girlfriend Jessica Biel were seen on the beaches of Puerto Rico in early January, where they apparently spent New Year's Eve.
With two NBA championship rings and one trophy girlfriend in 'Desperate Housewives' star Eva Longoria, Tony Parker is on top of the world. The couple announced their engagement in November 2006.
Jeff Gordon's highly public divorce from his wife of seven years was one of the roughest stretches of his career, but he has bounced back and recently married model and actress Ingrid Vandebosch.
Anna Kournikova never won a singles title on the WTA tour (she won two in doubles) but had a good run as the most popular woman on the tour until Maria Sharapova came along. Anna has all but retired from tennis, but her relationship with singer Enrique Iglesias has kept her in the spotlight.
When Wayne Gretzky agreed to be a judge on the show 'Dance Fever' in 1984, he did not expect to meet his future wife, but that's exactly what happened when he met one of the dancers, Janet Jones. The two kept in touch after the show, started dating in '87 and were married a year later. The couple have five children and spend plenty of time in Phoenix, where Gretzky is head coach of the Coyotes.
After winning 14 Grand Slams, Pete Sampras retired from the tournament circuit three years ago to spend more time with his wife, actress Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, and their two children, Christian and Ryan.
Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra always had an affinity for soccer but never expected it would lead him to marry the first lady of soccer, Mia Hamm. The two first met in 1999, at a promotional event for the World Cup, and were married in November 2003. Hamm is now retired.
Angie Harmon had no idea that a simple appearance on 'The Tonight Show' would be one of the most memorable experiences of her life, but that's just what happened when her boyfriend, former NFL safety Jason Sehorn, showed up at the taping and proposed to her. The couple were introduced after Harmon attended a Giants game and have been married for over five years.
He may have been relegated to backup status with the Philadelphia Eagles, but A.J. Feeley has plenty to be happy about. His girlfriend, Heather Mitts, is one of soccer's most recognizable faces. She played three seasons for the (now-defunct) WUSA and won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. team in Athens.
Actress Ashley Judd is no stranger to the world of sports. A Kentucky alum, she's a frequent visitor to Rupp Arena. She's also become a regular at Indy Racing League events, where she cheers on her husband, driver Dario Franchitti.
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and MTV VJ Lala Vasquez, arriving here at the '05 ESPY Awards, have been engaged since Christmas 2004 and say they plan to marry after she delivers their first child in March.
Florida Marlins catcher Matt Treanor and Olympic volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Treanor have been married for over a year but rarely see each other due to the hectic schedules of their respective sports. "We do talk to each other two, three times a day on the phone'" Misty said recently. "We both understand the situation is just for the time being." The two plan to settle down and start a family after the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Many people envy Tom Brady, not only for his three Super Bowl rings but also for his girlfriend, actress Bridget Moynahan. The couple began dating early in '04.
Volleyball legend and model Gabrielle Reece met surfer Laird Hamilton on a surfing trip to Hawaii. The couple has been married since '97 and has one daughter, Reece Viola.
Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, shown here with their children, Jaden Gil and Jaz Elle, have been married since 2001 and have won a combined 30 Grand Slam titles.
Seven-time Olympic swimming medalist Amanda Beard and NASCAR driver Carl Edwards met at a Labor Day weekend race in California in 2004 and felt a mutual attraction.
Women's golf legend Nancy Lopez married former New York Met Ray Knight in 1982. The couple live a low-key life in Knight's hometown of Albany, Ga., where they are raising three daughters.