Megan Rapinoe’s parents, Jim and Denise Rapinoe, played a pivotal role in her development, raising seven children together, including Megan and her fraternal twin, Rachel.
Their family dynamic is unique, as not all of the siblings are biological, reflecting a commitment to nurturing and supporting a diverse household. This strong family foundation has been instrumental in shaping Megan’s character and success in soccer.
Key Takeaways
- Interestingly, Megan’s father has been instrumental in her soccer career. He initially signed her up for a year on a guys’ squad.
- Rapinoe played for Elk Grove Pride in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL).
Former professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe, who played as a winger, is well-known worldwide for her cunning play and advocacy off the field.
She was crowned the Best FIFA Women’s Player in 2019 and won the Ballon d’Or Féminin. Rapinoe earned gold with the national squad at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, the London Summer Olympics in 2012, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.
After the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season concluded, the WMNT standout retired, having won every major honor she was eligible to receive.
Her incredible accomplishments on the soccer pitch have earned her praise, but many people are equally interested in the people who brought up this groundbreaking athlete.
Megan Rapinoe’s Parents, Jim and Denise, Raised Seven Children Alongside Her in Redding, California
Soccer star Megan Rapinoe, born Megan Anna Rapinoe on July 5, 1985, in Redding, California, grew up in a big, tight-knit family. She has five siblings, including her fraternal twin, Rachael Rapinoe.
Megan’s parents, Jim and Denise Rapinoe, raised seven kids together—though not all were theirs from the start. Denise had two children from a previous marriage, Michael and Jenny, before welcoming her older son Brian and the twins, Megan and Rachael, five years later.
Their family also included Megan’s grandfather, Jack, a World War II vet who lived with them, and her dad, Jim, who was drafted during the Vietnam War, too.
On top of that, her maternal grandfather suffered multiple injuries during the Korean War, adding to their family’s deep ties to service.
Denise worked as a waitress, while Jim, who’s now a construction contractor, played a huge role in Megan’s soccer journey.
He signed her up to play on a boys’ team when there weren’t any girls’ teams around. It wasn’t easy for Megan to play with the boys, who were much rougher on the field. Seeing how determined she was, Jim stepped up as her coach for three years.
Starting a girls’ team back then was tough, but thanks to her dad’s determination, Megan got to pursue her passion.
Later, she and her sister Rachael joined forces with future teammate Stephanie Cox to play for Elk Grove Pride in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), even though they had to travel two and a half hours to get there from their hometown.
Through it all, Megan’s parents worked hard to support her dreams, always proud of her achievements and standing by her every step of the way.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- According to Rapinoe, she was aware of her lesbian identity by her freshman year in college.
- Sue Bird and Rapinoe were the first same-sex couple to appear on the cover of ESPN’s The Body Issue in 2018. They made their engagement public on October 30, 2020.
