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Updated May 15, 2024Inside Yankees Star Aaron Judge's Private Marriage with Samantha Bracksieck
The record-breaking baseball player married his longtime love in 2021.
Photo: Getty Images | Design: Natalie Romine
All rise: If you've ever wanted to know more about Aaron Judge's wife, Samantha Bracksieck, court is in session. Even if you aren't a self-proclaimed baseball fanatic, you probably recognize the name Aaron Judge. The five-time MLB All-Star is a mainstay on the New York Yankees, where he's played his entire eight-year career so far. Affectionately known as "The Judge" by fans, the record-breaking athlete is one of the most respected players in the league today.
While Judge has earned plenty of mainstream notoriety for his accolades, not much is known about his marriage. It's believed that the outfielder met his wife in high school—but unlike some MLB wives, Samantha Bracksieck is one of the most private baseball spouses. She first appeared on his Instagram feed in 2014, and has only been featured two times after that. We break down everything to know about Aaron Judge's wife here, including key milestones from their relationship timeline and the details from their private destination wedding in 2021.
- Aaron Judge's wife is Samantha Bracksieck. It's believed the couple met as teenagers at Linden High School in California.
- Although they never formally announced their engagement, Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck sparked proposal rumors after she was photographed wearing a diamond ring in the summer of 2021.
- Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck got married on December 11, 2021, in Maui, Hawaii.
In this article:
- Who is Aaron Judge's wife, Samantha Bracksieck?
- How Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck Met
- Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck's Relationship Timeline
- Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck's Wedding Details
Who is Aaron Judge's wife, Samantha Bracksieck?
Photo: Gotham/GC Images
Aaron Judge's wife is Samantha Bracksieck. She and Judge went to high school together, and have been dating since at least 2014. An avid philanthropist, Bracksieck often joins her husband to support local charitable causes through his foundation, ALL RISE, which aims to engage children and youth through athletics, leadership programs, and more.
Unlike some MLB wives, Bracksieck leads a private life. She doesn't have a social media presence and has only appeared on Judge's Instagram three times: first, in a collage from a 5K race in 2014; in a photo with his family at the MLB's All-Star Break in July 2022; and in a collection of photos from his December 2022 contract extension with the Yankees, in which he agreed to a nine-year deal.
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How Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck Met
Photo: Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images
The beginning of Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck's love story is relatively unknown. It's believed that the couple met as teenagers. They both attended Linden High School in Linden, California, where Judge excelled in three sports: football, basketball and baseball. He graduated in 2010.
After high school, Judge and Bracksieck attended Fresno State University in Fresno, California. While there, they both received a number of accolades—Judge, for his achievements on the Fresno State baseball team; and Bracksieck, for her success in her kinesiology studies.
According to an article from Fresno State College of Health and Human Services, Bracksieck was awarded "Outstanding Master's Degree Project" for her project "Posterior Elbow Angle During the Movement Phase of Throwing in Relation to the Susceptibility of UCL Injury in Major League Baseball Players."
Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck's Relationship Timeline
Although Aaron Judge and his wife Samantha Bracksieck prioritize the privacy of their marriage, there are key moments we can piece together in their relationship timeline.
November 2014: Samantha Bracksieck Appears on Aaron Judge's Instagram Page
Aaron Judge's wife first appeared on his social media in November 2017. The athlete shared a photo dump from a Thanksgiving 5K race, which included snaps of Bracksieck smiling with his parents.
2021: Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck Spark Engagement Rumors
Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck never formally announced their engagement. It's not known exactly when Judge popped the question, but the duo fueled engagement rumors when Bracksieck was photographed wearing a diamond ring in 2021.
December 2021: Aaron Judge Marries Samantha Bracksieck in Hawaii
Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck got married on December 11, 2021, in Maui, Hawaii. The private nuptials took place at Montage Kapalua Bay Resort—and although the couple has never shared any photos from their wedding day, paparazzi snaps gave a glimpse into the tropical celebrations. We break down more details about Aaron Judge's wedding below.
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December 2022: Aaron Judge Praises Wife Samantha Bracksieck
2022 was a significant year for Aaron Judge's career. After he tied Roger Maris' Yankees and American League home run record of 61, thus breaking a 61-year streak, he praised his wife in a post-game press conference for helping him stay focused amid the growing media attention. "My wife has been with me through it all and she's calm as a cucumber, that's for sure," he told reporters.
Just a few months later, Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million dollar contract extension with the Yankees, ensuring that he'll end his career on the team. During a press conference after the pivotal moment, Judge was joined by his wife on stage as he addressed the crowd. "Thank you to everybody, my wife, Samantha," he said. "[My wife and I] came to the decision that was in our hearts, which is we belong in New York, we belong in this city."
November 2023: Aaron Judge Supports His Wife at the NYC Marathon
Photo: Elsa/Getty Images
One thing we do know about Aaron Judge's wife is that she's an avid runner. Samantha Bracksieck has participated in the New York City Marathon twice, in 2022 and 2023, and her husband has supported her at the finish line both times.
Bracksieck also gave advice to Judge's Yankees teammate Anthony Rizzo and his wife, Emily, who ran the race for the first time in 2023. "I have gone to her throughout this entire process and asked her a gazillion questions about what the day [of] looks like, what I should be wearing, what headphones, what her training looks like," Emily told the NY Post. "We've ran together as well, and she's really been a support system for me and given me a lot of good experience advice."
April 2024: Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck Open a Sensory Room in Madison Square Garden
In April 2024, Aaron Judge and his wife teamed up with the nonprofit KultureCity to open a sensory room in Madison Square Garden. Aptly named The Aaron & Samantha Judge Sensory Room, the space has adjustable lighting, calming visuals and comfortable seating to provide an immersive experience for MSG guests who have sensory processing needs, as well as those who use wheelchairs.
"We're just hoping now other families that usually are a little afraid to maybe go out and, you know, have those experiences, they can have those same experiences with their families," Judge said of the room. "If it's their young kids, young adults, we just want them to enjoy this space and, you know, create memories like we have."
Aaron Judge and Samantha Bracksieck's Wedding Details
Samantha Bracksieck and Aaron Judge's wedding took place on December 11, 2021, at Montage Kapalua Bay Resort in Maui, Hawaii. In paparazzi photos published by the NY Post, Judge could be seen wearing a dark suit while kissing his bride, who wore a white dress with an intricately designed back and a cascading veil. Considering their private nature, Aaron Judge and his wife have never publicly shared photos of their wedding.
While we don't know much about the exclusive guest list, photos on Twitter showed Judge's Yankees teammates Gary Sanchez, Luis Cessa and Gleyber Torres on vacation in Hawaii at the same time as the wedding, alluding to their presence at the nuptials.
