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Updated Oct 14, 2024Who Is Shohei Ohtani's Wife? Everything We Know About His Elusive Relationship
The Dodgers star hard-launched his marriage in a February 2024 Instagram post.
Photo: Jerritt Clark | WireImage
Shohei Ohtani certainly has been the talk of the 2024 baseball season. While the Dodgers pitcher and designated hitter has broken countless records and dominated headlines throughout his journey to the World Series, we haven't moved on from his marriage hard launch earlier this year. In a February 2024 Instagram post, the athlete—who's the highest-paid player in the MLB—revealed that he embarked on a "new chapter" by tying the knot with "someone from my Native country of Japan." Since he didn't share her identity in the original post, the shocking announcement left everyone asking, "Who is Shohei Ohtani's wife?"
Since then, it's been revealed that Ohtani is married to Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player. While Tanaka kept a low profile at the beginning of the season, she's become increasingly more involved as a baseball WAG, traveling to awards shows and red carpets, as well as celebrating her husband's postseason achievements with the rest of the team. Here's everything to know about Shohei Ohtani and his wife's love story, including the details of their relationship timeline.
- Shohei Ohtani's wife is Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player.
- Shohei Ohtani announced his marriage to Mamiko Tanaka in an Instagram post on February 29, 2024.
- Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka made their red carpet debut at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation's 2024 Blue Diamond Gala on May 2, 2024.
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Who is Shohei Ohtani's Wife, Mamiko Tanaka?
It's fitting that one of the MLB's biggest stars found love with a fellow athlete. Shohei Ohtani is married to Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player. Born in Japan on December 11, 1996, Tanaka began playing the sport in junior high school. She attended Waseda University in Tokyo, where she joined the national under-24 team and won silver for Japan at the 2017 Summer Universiade. Tanaka went pro in April 2019 when she joined the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women's Japan Basketball League. She played with the team for four years before retiring in 2023.
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Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka's Relationship Timeline
Because they keep their relationship private, we don't know when or how Shohei Ohtani met his wife, Mamiko Tanaka. We can, however, piece together a relationship timeline after he announced their marriage in early 2024. Look back on their love story here.
February 29, 2024: Shohei Ohtani Announces Marriage to Mamiko Tanaka
Shocking fans everywhere, Shohei Ohtani announced his secret marriage in an Instagram post shared on February 29, 2024. "To all my friends and fans throughout, I have an announcement to make," he wrote in the message, which was translated from Japanese. "Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married. I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support."
March 14, 2024: Shohei Ohtani and His Wife Make Their Social Media Debut
Although Shohei Ohtani didn't reveal his wife's identity in his initial marriage announcement, it didn't take long for the world to find out who she was. Just two weeks later, the Dodgers' X account shared a photo of Ohtani and Tanaka boarding a plane alongside his teammate Mookie Betts and his wife as they traveled to Seoul, South Korea, for an international game.
May 2, 2024: Shohei Ohtani and Mamiko Tanaka Make Their Red Carpet Debut
Photo: Jerritt Clark | WireImage
Finally, Shohei Ohtani and his wife made their red carpet debut as newlyweds at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation's 2024 Blue Diamond Gala. The pair posed for photos in coordinating black ensembles before heading inside the event, where they spent time with pop singer Ed Sheeran.
July 16, 2024: Mamiko Tanaka Joins Shohei Ohtani at the All-Star Game
Photo: Gene Wang | Getty Images
Later that summer, Tanaka was by her husband's side at the MLB All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. The pair waved to fans as they walked the red carpet together before he made his fourth appearance in the midsummer classic matchup.
October 2024: Shohei Ohtani's Wife Celebrates His Advancement to the World Series
As the regular season came to an end, Ohtani and the Dodgers remained hot in the postseason. The team clinched a spot in the World Series after defeating the Padres and the Mets, and Tanaka was there every step of the way. Not only did she cheer for her husband from the stands, she also joined Ohtani on the field with their dog, Decoy.
