LeBron James Makes Personal Admission on Marriage With Savannah James

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 3:12 PM ET

As Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James prepares for his 23rd NBA season, the four-time champion and all-time leading scorer sat down on Thursday’s episode of the "360 With Speedy" podcast to reflect on several topics, including his marriage to high school sweetheart Savannah James.

When asked about the secret to marriage, with Speedy calling their relationship seemingly "picture-perfect," James said, "It’s not, man, I’m going to be honest. A relationship is never picture-perfect, but if you’re able to work through the hardships and the adverse moments, then it will make it all worth it."

"We've been together since high school, so [expletive] ain't always going to be a bed of roses, man, in any relationship, let alone someone that you've been living with for over 20 years," James added. "I think communication is No. 1, being honest is No. 2 and No. 3 is you have to be OK with being uncomfortable. … The saying, ‘Happy wife, happy life,’ that [expletive] is real, bro."

James met Savannah in 2002 at a rival high school in Akron, Ohio, when he was 17 and she was 16, according to People magazine.

James then invited Savannah to one of his basketball games, followed by a trip to Applebee's with friends, before their first official date at an Outback Steakhouse.

From there, the relationship grew through high school games, late-night study sessions and the slow, steady process of falling in love.

Savannah learned she was pregnant with their first child during her senior year; their son LeBron "Bronny" James Jr. arrived in October 2004, shortly after LeBron was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

Their family then grew with the arrival of Bryce Maximus in June 2007, followed by daughter Zhuri Nova in October 2014, one year after the couple officially tied the knot on Sept. 14, 2013.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: