All About Nikola Jokić's Wife, Natalija Jokić, and Their NBA Love Story

Nikola Jokić, one of the most dominant players in the NBA, has made a name for himself as a two-time MVP and leader of the Denver Nuggets. Known for his versatility and unique playing style, Jokić has captured the attention of fans worldwide. Off the court, Nikola Jokić's wife, Natalija Jokić, has been a constant in his life, supporting him through his rise to basketball stardom.

The couple's relationship began long before Jokić's NBA success, during their high school years in their hometown of Sombor, Serbia. Together, they've navigated the challenges of a transcontinental move, Jokić's intense professional career and the joys of building a family. Here's what we know about this NBA wife and the life she has built with Jokić so far.

• Nikola Jokić is married to Natalija Jokić. They have been together since high school.
• Natalija and Nikola Jokić met in Sombor, Serbia.
• Natalija and Nikola Jokić got married in October 2020 in Sombor, Serbia.
• Natalija and Nikola Jokić share two children together.

In this article:

• Who is Nikola Jokić's Wife, Natalija?
• How Natalija and Nikola Jokić Met
• Natalija and Nikola Jokić's Relationship Timeline
• How the Couple Handles Life in the Spotlight

Who is Nikola Jokić's Wife, Natalija?

Natalija Mačešić Jokić, originally from Sombor, Serbia, moved to the US in 2013 to play volleyball at Seminole State College in Oklahoma.

Eventually, Nikola joined Natalija in the US when he moved to Denver to play for the Nuggets in 2015. This prompted Natalija's move from Seminole State to the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she graduated in 2018.

Despite the public attention surrounding her husband's career, Natalija maintains a relatively private life, occasionally sharing glimpses of their family moments on social media.

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How Natalija and Nikola Jokić Met

Nikola and Natalija's relationship began in their hometown of Sombor, Serbia, a small city of about 47,000 people. This famous couple met at some point in high school—Natalija has shared throwback photos from as far back as 2012.

Natalija and Nikola Jokić's Relationship Timeline

2013: Natalija moves to the US

While Nikola was still playing basketball in Serbia, Natalija moved to the US in 2013 to play volleyball at Seminole State College in Oklahoma.

2015: Nikola joins Natalija in the US

Nikola was drafted by the Denver Nuggets, prompting his move from Serbia to Denver. Natalija, along with Nikola's two older brothers, joined him and the four of them shared an apartment.

"My brothers came with me and my girlfriend came with me, so we tried to make our home here and not allow all the different things to bother us," he told SLAM magazine. "I actually like Denver as a city—it reminds me a little of my hometown in Serbia because I like nature, mountains, rivers and trees."

2018: Natalija graduates from university

Natalija graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver.

January 2020: The couple are engaged

When it comes to famous basketball proposals, this is one engagement that has been kept out of the spotlight. Although the details have remained private, we know that Nikola popped the question in January 2020 according to a post on Natalija's Instagram.

October 2020: Nikola and Natalija tie the knot

Nikola and Natalija Jokić tied the knot with a private ceremony in their hometown of Sombor, Serbia, on October 24, 2020. The wedding was initially planned for June 2020, but the couple rescheduled after the NBA season was shifted to a bubble format in Orlando, Florida, due to the pandemic.

Footage from their special day, shared on Twitter (now X), captures the couple enjoying their celebration with family and friends. Natalija also posted photos on Instagram, with a caption that says, "omiljena žurka svih vremena" which translates to "favorite party of all time."

Since then, the Denver Nuggets star has tied his wedding ring to his sneakers before every basketball game, a touching gesture frequently highlighted in photos shared on social media.

September 2021: The couple welcome a baby into their family

They welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Ognjena, which means "fiery" in Serbian.

November 2024: Nikola and Natalija welcome their second child

The couple celebrated the birth of their second child, a son. His name has not yet been revealed publicly.

How the Couple Handles Life in the Spotlight

Despite Nikola's prominence in the NBA, the Jokićs have managed to maintain a relatively private personal life. Natalija's presence at games and occasional social media posts offer glimpses into their family life, but they prioritize privacy and a grounded lifestyle. This balance seems to allow them to navigate public attention while preserving the intimacy of their family experiences.

Once Nikola retires from the NBA, he and his family plan to move out of the spotlight altogether and back to Sombor.

"After my career is over, I'm gonna go back there," Nikola said in an interview with Bleacher Report. "It's super slow—not too much going on—but you have everything. You have a canal, nature; you can get peace of mind outside the city. I just like to be some place where I know how to drive a car without navigation. How I say, no place like home? Something like that."

Perhaps the notion that Nikola's NBA lifestyle is only temporary helps the couple handle the public attention as well as they do.