Joakim Noah Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Basketball, Awards

Joakim Noah is a distinguished former professional basketball player and philanthropist, renowned for his defensive prowess and vibrant personality in the NBA.

With a career spanning over a decade, he earned accolades as a two-time NBA All-Star and the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, leaving a lasting impact on the court and in communities through his charitable initiatives.

Profile

• Full Name: Joakim Simon Noah
• Stage Name: Joakim Noah
• Born: February 25, 1985
• Age: 40 years old
• Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
• Nationality: American, French, Swedish
• Occupation: American Former Professional Basketball Player, Philanthropist
• Height: 6 ft 11
• Parents: Yannick Noah, Cécilia Rodhe
• Siblings: 3, Yelena Noah, Jenaye Noah, Joalukas Noah
• Spouse: Lais Ribeiro (m. 2022)
• Children: 3, Leia Noah, Emaan Noah, one child expected (2024)
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $50 million

Early Life and Education

Joakim Noah was born on February 25, 1985, in New York City. Raised by his father, Yannick Noah, a French singer and former world No. 3 tennis player who won the French Open in 1983, and his mother, Cécilia Rodhe, a former Miss Sweden and sculptor, Joakim grew up in a culturally rich household.

His grandfather, Zacharie Noah, was a Cameroonian footballer who won the Coupe de France in 1961. Alongside his siblings—Yelena, Jenaye, and Joalukas—Joakim developed an early passion for sports.

His education spanned multiple institutions, including the United Nations International School, Poly Prep Country Day School, and The Lawrenceville School. He later attended the University of Florida, where he played college basketball for the Florida Gators, earning a scholarship and honing his skills under coach Billy Donovan.

Joakim’s mixed heritage—American, French, and Swedish—along with his Christian faith, shaped his global perspective.

Career

Joakim Noah’s basketball career began at the University of Florida, where he played a pivotal role in leading the Florida Gators to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2007. Named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2006, he averaged 14 points and led his team to victory against UCLA.

Drafted ninth overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2007 NBA Draft, Joakim quickly established himself as a defensive anchor. His standout 2013–14 season saw him named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA First Team, and a fourth-place finish in MVP voting.

Known for his intensity, he recorded multiple triple-doubles, including a career-high 14 assists in a 2014 game against the New York Knicks, a record for a Bulls center. Joakim played for the Bulls until 2016, then signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the New York Knicks, though injuries and a 20-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy limited his impact.

He later joined the Memphis Grizzlies (2018–19) and Los Angeles Clippers (2020) before retiring in 2021. Post-retirement, he was honored as a Chicago Bulls ambassador and has served as a global liquor brand ambassador, conducting clinics like the NBA Jr. clinic in the Philippines in 2024.

His unique two-handed push-shot and vocal advocacy for social justice, including gun violence prevention, have made him a respected figure both on and off the court.

Awards and Nominations

• NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2014
• All-NBA First Team: 2014
• NBA All-Star: 2013, 2014
• NBA All-Defensive First Team: 2013, 2014
• NBA All-Defensive Second Team: 2011
• J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: 2015
• NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player: 2006
• NCAA Champion: 2006, 2007
• Honorable Mention All-American (AP): 2006

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @stickynick13
• Facebook: Joakim Noah
• Twitter: @JoakimNoah

Personal Life

Joakim Noah, a respected former professional basketball player, married Brazilian supermodel and Victoria’s Secret Angel Lais Ribeiro on July 7, 2022, after getting engaged at Burning Man in 2019. The couple, who began dating in 2018, welcomed two children from Lais’s previous relationship, Leia and Emaan, and announced they were expecting their first child together in August 2024.

Based in Los Angeles, Joakim maintains a close relationship with his family, including his sister Yelena and parents, Yannick and Cécilia. In 2010, he co-founded the Noah’s Arc Foundation with his mother to support youth through arts and sports, earning special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2015.

A passionate advocate for social justice, Joakim has spoken out on issues like gun violence and environmental conservation. His hobbies include travel and philanthropy, and he remains a beloved figure for his authenticity and community engagement.

Filmography

• Lenny Cooke (2013) – Producer
• Little Ballers (2013) – Producer
• Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014) – Producer

Net Worth

Joakim Noah, a distinguished former professional basketball player, has an estimated net worth of $50 million. His wealth primarily stems from his NBA career, including high-value contracts with the Chicago Bulls ($60 million, 2010–15) and New York Knicks ($72 million, 2016–18).

Additional income comes from endorsements and his role as a global liquor brand ambassador.