Once in the spotlight for her marriage, Pilar Sanders now shines as a mother and mentor.
Pilar Sanders, born on October 10, 1974, in Elmira, New York, has carved out a diverse career spanning modeling, acting, and entrepreneurship.
Beginning her journey in the entertainment industry as a high school senior, Sanders quickly gained recognition through prestigious representation by Irene Marie and Ford Models.
Her natural talent soon led her to transition into acting, where she made memorable appearances in popular television series including “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “The Jamie Foxx Show,” “Veronica’s Closet,” and “LL Cool J’s In Da House.”
The latter was where she first encountered her future husband, NFL star Deion Sanders, in the mid-1990s.
Beyond her entertainment career, Pilar demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to community service by co-founding Prime Time Achievers, a summer boot camp for children.
She further expanded her philanthropic footprint by establishing Essence of Beshalom, a foundation dedicated to building confidence in young girls.
Throughout her professional journey, Sanders has balanced her multifaceted career with her role as a dedicated mother to her three children, showcasing her ability to excel in both public and private spheres.
After Years of Headlines and Heartache, Pilar Sanders Finds Peace in Parenthood
Pilar’s most high-profile relationship began in the mid-1990s when she met NFL legend Deion Sanders while working on the set of “In Da House.”
Their relationship blossomed quickly, culminating in marriage in May 1999.
The couple welcomed three children together: son Shilo in 2001, son Shedeur in 2003, and daughter Shelomi in 2004.
The Sanders family briefly stepped into reality television with their 2008 Oxygen show “Deion and Pilar: Prime Time Love,” which offered viewers a glimpse into their family dynamics.
They later appeared in the reality series “Football Wives” in 2010, further cementing their status as a power couple in the sports and entertainment world.
However, their seemingly picture-perfect relationship began unraveling in 2011 when Deion filed for divorce, citing infidelity – a move that reportedly caught Pilar off guard when she learned about it from celebrity news outlet TMZ.
What followed was a highly publicized and contentious divorce that finalized in 2013 after 12 years of marriage.
The aftermath of their split included a dramatic custody battle, with Deion initially winning full custody rights while Pilar received visitation privileges.
The situation evolved over time, with Pilar eventually gaining custody of some of their children.
Their post-divorce relationship was further complicated by allegations of domestic violence made by Pilar, which Deion denied and subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit against her.
The public nature of their dispute intensified as both parties frequently shared updates on social media platforms.
Following her divorce, Pilar maintained a relatively low profile in her dating life until rumors began circulating about a relationship with James Prince (J Prince), the CEO of Rap-a-Lot Records.
In 2019, she officially announced their relationship, marking a new chapter in her romantic life.
Speculation about an engagement arose when fans spotted a significant diamond ring on Pilar’s finger in an Instagram post captioned,
“When you manifest the vision that others said was impossible.”
Instagram
However, she later openly denied these engagement rumors.
Before her relationship with J Prince became public, there were also unconfirmed reports connecting Pilar romantically to NFL star Odell Beckham Jr., though either party never substantiated these rumors.
As of April 2025, reliable sources indicate that Pilar Sanders is likely single.
Her social media presence, particularly on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), focuses primarily on family matters and supporting her children’s achievements rather than romantic relationships.
At 50 years old, Pilar appears to be channeling her energy into supporting her sons’ NFL careers – Shedeur, a highly anticipated prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Shilo, who may also be selected in later rounds or signed as an undrafted free agent.
While maintaining a cordial co-parenting relationship with ex-husband Deion Sanders remains challenging, as evidenced by reports of them avoiding each other even at their son’s surgery, Pilar continues to be a constant presence at her children’s important life events.
She was notably present for Shedeur’s jersey retirement ceremony at Folsom Field in Colorado in April 2025, expressing gratitude for the family’s two years in Boulder.
In contrast to her ex-husband, who is rumored to have a romance with Karrueche Tran, Sanders seems content focusing on her wellness career and her role as a supportive mother.
Her decisive approach to helping her sons navigate their professional futures was highlighted in an April 2025 ESPN profile, where she explained their decision to forego traditional sports agents, stating,
“If you know the game, and you’ve been around the game your entire life… you know what you want.”
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Whether by choice or circumstance, Pilar Sanders appears to have embraced this new chapter of her life.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Pilar Sanders appeared in the 1999 film “The Mod Squad” and later in the 2009 film “Streets of Blood” and 2014 film “Percentage,” showcasing her continued acting career outside of television.
- During her custody battle with Deion Sanders in 2013, Pilar ultimately received full custody of their children while Deion was awarded supervised visits, according to one of the sources.
- Pilar was born to parents Jeanette and Dan Bigger and was raised with her two siblings, Scottie and Candy, though little else is publicly known about her early family life.
