Joel Embiid Wife Anne de Paula: Brazilian Model, Mom, and Partner in His “Process”
If you’ve ever watched Joel Embiid scoop his little boy into his arms after a big game and then immediately searched “Joel Embiid wife,” you’re not alone. The Philadelphia 76ers star is one of the most visible players in the NBA, but his home life is surprisingly private. At the center of it is his wife, Brazilian model Anne de Paula.
Who Is Joel Embiid’s Wife?
Joel Embiid’s wife is Anne de Paula, a Brazilian model from Rio de Janeiro. She grew up in a sports-loving family—her dad is a doctor and her mom is an X-ray technician, but soccer was a huge part of her childhood. She played goalkeeper growing up and has described herself as more of a tomboy than a glam kid, which makes her path into modeling a little unexpected and very charming.
Anne’s big career break came when she won the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search, which led to multiple appearances in the iconic Swimsuit Issue. From there, she booked campaigns, editorials, and runway work, building a solid name in the modeling world long before most NBA fans knew who she was.
She speaks multiple languages, practices Muay Thai for fitness, and has the kind of quiet confidence that makes sense when you realize she’s balancing a global career, life with an NBA MVP, and motherhood—all mostly off camera.
How Joel and Anne Met
Joel Embiid and Anne de Paula met in 2018 at a dinner in New York City, introduced by a mutual friend. At the time, Joel was already making noise as a dominant big man in Philly, and Anne was busy flying around the world for modeling jobs.
By both of their accounts, nothing romantic happened at first. They bonded over shared experiences: they were both far from home, both spoke French, and both loved soccer. The conversation flowed easily, and after that first meeting, they just… kept talking.
For a while, their relationship lived mostly on FaceTime. They were rarely in the same city, but they called each other every day, turning a casual friendship into something deeper. That slow, long-distance buildup laid a different kind of foundation than the usual fast-burn celebrity romance.
Eventually, they went public as a couple, with Anne showing up at Sixers games and team events, but you could already tell from their comments that they’d spent a lot of time getting to know each other before stepping into the spotlight together.
From Couple to Parents
In September 2020, Joel and Anne welcomed their son, Arthur Elijah de Paula Embiid. His first name is a deeply personal tribute: Arthur was also the name of Joel’s younger brother, who died in a car accident in Cameroon when Joel was still a teenager. Naming his son after his brother was a way of keeping that memory alive and folding it into a new, hopeful chapter of his life.
Arthur was born during the pandemic, which meant the early months of parenthood were quieter and more insulated than they might have been otherwise. Instead of parading him around, Joel and Anne mostly stayed out of view, sharing only the occasional photo.
Over time, Arthur became a familiar sight for fans—courtside with headphones on, toddling onto the court after big wins, or clinging to Joel’s neck during trophy presentations. Those moments helped cement Joel’s image as a devoted father, but they also showed how central Anne is: she’s almost always nearby, just off to the side, making sure her son is comfortable while his dad does media and celebrations.
A Hamptons Wedding
For a few years, people referred to Anne as Joel’s girlfriend or partner, even after Arthur was born. That changed in the summer of 2023, when the couple got married in the Hamptons.
They tied the knot in a picturesque ceremony in Southampton, New York, with friends and family flying in from around the world. Joel wore a white tuxedo jacket and bow tie, while Anne stunned in a long-sleeve lace gown with a fitted silhouette and flowing veil. Their son Arthur played an adorable role, photographed in miniature formalwear, very much part of the celebration rather than tucked away.
Photos from the day showed them walking through a shower of flower petals, laughing and holding hands, the NBA superstar looking every bit as giddy as you’d expect a groom to be. Anne later posted wedding shots with a simple, romantic caption in French—roughly, “You and me forever. We were made for each other”—which felt like a sweet nod to their shared love of languages and their international roots.
From that point on, “girlfriend” stopped being accurate. When people now search “joel embiid wife,” they are very much asking about a real, official Mrs. Embiid.
Anne’s Career and Life Outside the Spotlight
Even as Joel’s fame has reached MVP levels, Anne has stayed grounded in her own lane.
She continues to model, appearing in campaigns and editorials while being selective about what she shares online. Her social media mixes professional shots with family moments and travel, but it never feels like a full-blown influencer feed. She keeps a clear line between what’s for her work, what’s for friends and family, and what she’s willing to show the public.
Her love of Muay Thai and fitness in general gives her a bit of an edge that people don’t always expect from a swimsuit model. She’s talked about how combat sports and training make her feel stronger and more comfortable in her own skin, and you can sense that balance—beauty and toughness—when she talks about her life.
Family Life With Arthur
Anne and Joel’s son, Arthur, has grown into a small but important figure in the NBA world. You can see the way his eyes light up when Joel comes off the court, and how Joel’s entire demeanor softens the second he picks him up.
Anne has mentioned that father and son are like best friends. When Joel walks into a room, Arthur only has eyes for him. Those little details show up in the way they behave publicly, too: Arthur is often grinning, pointing, or clapping from her lap while his dad plays, and she keeps him calm and comfortable amid all the noise.
For Joel, fatherhood has clearly shifted his perspective. He’s talked about wanting to make decisions—not just about contracts or awards, but even about which national team to represent—through the lens of what will make sense for his son’s future and identity. At home, that means making sure he’s present and grounded, not just a highlight reel on TV.
How Joel Talks About Anne
When Joel Embiid mentions Anne in interviews or social posts, the tone is consistently appreciative and slightly awe-struck. He’s thanked her publicly for trusting his “process,” for standing by him through injuries, surgeries, playoff heartbreaks, and the demanding schedule that comes with being a franchise star.
On Valentine’s Days and anniversaries, he tends to keep his messages relatively simple—photos, a few heartfelt words, and a lot of heart emojis. You see less of the big public declarations and more of the quiet, consistent acknowledgment that she is the person making it possible for him to do what he does without losing himself.
He’s also been clear that his family, including Anne, is his main motivation now. He doesn’t shy away from the idea that his goals—championships, legacy, all of it—are tied to providing for them and making them proud.
Featured Image Source: the-sun.com
