Paul Pierce, a retired basketball player, has been married twice – first to his wife Dana Davis and then to Julie – both of which ended in divorce.
Pierce, born on October 13, 1977, in Oakland, California, started his remarkable NBA journey when the Boston Celtics drafted him 10th overall in 1998.
He quickly became a key player for the Celtics, earning the nickname “The Truth.”
He led them to an NBA championship in 2008, where he was named Finals MVP.
Over his 15 seasons with the team, he was selected as an NBA All-Star ten times, cementing his legacy as one of the Celtics’ all-time greats.
His number 34 jersey is honored not only by the Celtics but also by the University of Kansas, where he showcased his early talent from 1995 to 1998.
In 2013, Pierce’s career took him to the Brooklyn Nets, and he later signed with the Washington Wizards in 2014.
He joined the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, reuniting with former coach Doc Rivers.
Throughout these years, Pierce was renowned for his scoring, crucial game performances, and leadership.
Pierce retired on July 17, 2017, by signing a one-day contract with the Celtics, allowing him to end his career with the team that drafted him.
His impact on basketball was further acknowledged when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Transitioning to broadcasting, he joined ESPN in August 2017 as a studio analyst for “The Jump” and “NBA Countdown.”
However, after an incident during an Instagram Live broadcast in April 2021, he was released from his role.
Continuing his career in sports media, Pierce joined FS1 in March 2024, initially appearing on “Undisputed” and subsequently moving to the show “Speak” following Undisputed’s discontinuation.
Inside Paul Pierce and Julie Pierce’s Marriage and Their Life with Three Kids
Paul Pierce was previously married to his second wife, Julie Pierce.
The couple met at the 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend and began dating soon afterward.
They married on July 17, 2010, at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, California, with NBA stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen among the guests.
They have three children: Prianna Lee Pierce, born on April 4, 2008; Adrian Tanya Pierce, born on May 24, 2011; and Prince Paul Pierce, born on April 2, 2013.
All of their three kids are actively engaged in their schooling.
After years of marriage, their union ended in divorce, followed by a controversial 2021 event where Pierce broadcasted a poker game with women in bikinis, stirring public debate.
While the exact date of his divorce from Julie is unknown, he has talked about his single status publicly. He said:
Come on, I didn’t do anything illegal,” Pierce said. “These motherf*****s in the Hall of Fame, some did (cocaine), f***ing battery. What the f*** did I do? I was just having a good time. All the people coming after me, half you motherf*****s do the same s. You’re just hiding it. And you all are married while you’re doing it. I’m divorced. I’m retired. I’m having fun.
Via Sportskeeda
“This makes it all worth it.” pic.twitter.com/iHf9BqDMva
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 11, 2018
Julie Landrum Pierce, born on February 24, 1983, comes from a multiracial family with parents Terry and Teresa Landrum.
She grew up alongside her sister, Melissa, in St. Louis, Missouri.
After graduating from Parkway Central High School, her local alma mater, Julie pursued higher education at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
She furthered her studies abroad at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy, before returning to New York City to complete her degree.
Driven by a passion for design, Julie then attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where she earned her MFA in furniture design.
Starting her career as an apprentice, she quickly rose to become a senior designer.
In 2009, she founded her own interior design business, creating spaces for athletes, politicians, and entertainers across the U.S. and Canada.
She launched a licensed product collection with Kravet in 2012, and she has since designed home furnishings for renowned brands such as Hickory Chair, Visual Comfort, and Stark Carpet.
By 2016, she had become a spokesperson, advisor, and strategic partner for ATGStores.com.
Her work has been featured on Architectural Digest’s list of top designers consistently since 2012 and has garnered accolades from House Beautiful and New York Magazine.
In 2015, Julie’s achievements were further celebrated when she received the “American Spirit Award” from the American Folk Art Museum and an honorary doctorate for her contributions to the field of design.
Julie is also an accomplished author, having published books such as “Julie Pierce: The Language of Interior Design” and “Decorating in Detail.”
Paul Pierce’s First Marriage to Dana Davis Ended After Four Years
Before marrying Julie, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Dana Davis, on August 1, 2000.
The couple’s first child, Janaiya, was born on January 15, 2003. Currently, at 21 years old, she is a violinist at Juilliard School.
On September 4, 2003, Paul filed for divorce from Dana, citing irreconcilable differences. In 2004, they finalized their divorce.
Dana Davis, born on October 4, 1978, in Davenport, Iowa, attended Martin Luther King High School.
She pursued a career in music, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the New England Conservatory of Music in 2002 and a Master of Music degree from Juilliard School in New York City in 2006.
Professionally, Dana has made her mark as an actress and author.
She is recognized for her television role as Chastity Church in “10 Things I Hate About You,” which she played from 2009 to 2010.
She also portrayed Carmen Phillips in “Franklin & Bash” from 2011 to 2013 and Michaela Pratt in “How to Get Away with Murder” from 2014 to 2020.
Currently, she stars as Principal Ava Coleman in the ABC series “Abbott Elementary,” a role she has held since 2021.
As an author, Dana has penned novels such as “Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now,” “The Voice In My Head,” “Roman and Jewell,” “Someone You Used to Know,” and “Fake Famous.“
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Paul, born to George and Lorraine, has two half-brothers named Jamal and Steve Hosey.
- As a member of the U.S. national team at the 2002 FIBA World Championship, he started every game and recorded an average of 19.8 points per game.
- On September 25, 2000, attackers stabbed him 11 times and struck him with a bottle at Boston’s Buzz Club.
