LeBron James has never shied away from speaking openly about his life, and this time the Lakers star pulled back the curtain on his marriage to Savannah, his high school sweetheart and wife of 12 years.
“I’m gonna be honest, a relationship is never picture perfect,” James said during an interview with Speedy Morman on the 360 with Speedy podcast. “Even though it may seem perfect in the public eye, that is seldom the case.”
James, 40, explained that the key to a lasting relationship is not perfection but perseverance.
“If you’re okay with working through the hardships and the adverse moments, then it will make it all worth it,” he added.
The four-time champion reflected on his long history with Savannah, who is 39.
“We’ve been together since high school, so, s–t ain’t always gonna be a bed of roses, in any relationship, let alone someone you’re living with for over 20 years,” James said.
When asked about how the couple makes it work, James didn’t hesitate. “Communication” came first. He then pointed to honesty as the second pillar, adding, “And number three is, like, you have to be okay with being uncomfortable in relationships sometimes and you can’t always have it your way, it’s not gonna work that way.”
James even joked about the old phrase “Happy wife, happy life,” calling it “real,” before Morman countered with, “Happy husband, happy loving.”
The couple tied the knot in September 2013 in San Diego and recently celebrated their 12th anniversary. James marked the occasion on Instagram, writing, “Happy anniversary my beautiful. I love you mama.”
Together they share three children, 20-year-old “Bronny,” 18-year-old Bryce Maximus, and 10-year-old daughter Zhuri Nova.
LeBron, who has previously admitted he had fears about fatherhood due to not having a relationship with his own dad, said in a 2022 Beats by Dre ad that he leaned on the “patience, commitment [and] joy” he learned through sports to guide him.
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