Hey there! If you’re a fan of the NBA, you’ve probably cheered for Jrue Holiday as he locks down opponents and hits those clutch threes for the Boston Celtics. But behind every great player is an even greater partner, and in Jrue’s case, that’s his wife, Lauren Holiday. She’s not just a supportive spouse—she’s a soccer legend in her own right, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a mom who’s faced some real-life curveballs with grace and grit. In this article, we’re diving deep into Lauren’s world: her early days, her powerhouse career, the sweet love story with Jrue, and how they build a family that’s as strong off the court as they are on it. Whether you’re here for the sports highlights or the heartwarming moments, stick around—it’s a story that’ll stick with you.
From Indy Roots to Soccer Star: Lauren Holiday’s Early Life
Picture this: It’s the late ’80s in Indianapolis, Indiana, a city buzzing with Colts fans and a love for all things competitive. On September 30, 1987, Lauren Nicole Cheney enters the world as the daughter of Rita and George Cheney. She’s got two siblings—a brother named Aaron and a sister named Caitlin—and from the jump, sports are in her blood. Lauren’s big bro Aaron got her hooked on soccer when she was just a kid. She’d tag along to his games, mesmerized by the action, and before long, she was out there kicking a ball herself.
But Lauren wasn’t one to play it safe. As a young girl, she joined boys’ teams because the girls’ leagues just didn’t cut it for her competitive fire. She held her own until age 12, when she finally switched to all-girls squads. It was tough at first—soccer wasn’t as huge for girls back then—but Lauren’s determination shone through. Her family was her rock; her parents encouraged her dreams, even after a scary health hiccup early on. At just three years old, Lauren had open-heart surgery to fix a congenital defect. That scar on her chest? She hid it under T-shirts for years, feeling self-conscious. But by high school, she owned it. “It’s unique,” her mom told her, and Lauren learned to wear it like a badge of honor.
Fast-forward to Ben Davis High School, where Lauren became a local sensation. From 2003 to 2005, she dominated the field, racking up 118 goals and 67 assists over her career. In her junior year, she was named the school’s most valuable offensive player. Scouts were buzzing, and colleges came calling. Lauren chose UCLA, the powerhouse Bruins, where she’d not only chase soccer glory but also meet the man who’d change her life. It’s funny how a simple choice like picking a school can lead to everything.
Kicking It at UCLA: College Glory and a Chance Encounter
UCLA in the mid-2000s was a dream for any athlete—sunny California vibes, top-tier facilities, and a chance to shine on national stages. Lauren arrived in 2006 as a freshman and wasted no time making her mark. She led the Pac-10 Conference with 19 goals that first year, shattering the Bruins’ freshman record. Talk about a debut! By the end of her college run in 2009, Lauren had tied the school record for career goals (71), set the mark for game-winning goals (28), and tallied a whopping 173 points. Oh, and she was the first Bruin ever named a First-Team All-American all four years. That’s not just talent; that’s relentless drive.
But amid the goals and accolades, something even more exciting was brewing. Enter Jrue Holiday, a lanky freshman basketball phenom who showed up at UCLA in 2008. Jrue, born in Chatsworth, California, on June 12, 1990, was already turning heads on the court. He was a McDonald’s All-American out of Campbell Hall High School, where he’d been Gatorade Player of the Year. Like Lauren, sports ran deep in his family—his parents were college athletes, and his siblings Justin and Aaron (yep, another Aaron) played ball too.
Their meet-cute? Pure rom-com gold. Jrue’s at a women’s basketball game in Pauley Pavilion, minding his own business. A fan spots him and gushes, “Darren Collison? Can I get your autograph?” Jrue chuckles and corrects her—he’s not the star point guard. As he sits down, a voice from behind pipes up: “Don’t worry, you’re cuter than Darren.” Boom—ice broken. That voice belonged to Lauren Cheney, a junior soccer star with a killer smile and zero filter.
They didn’t jump straight into dating—both were seeing other people at the time. But that flirty chat sparked a friendship. They’d bump into each other on campus, chat about practices and pressure, and bond over the grind of being student-athletes. Jrue was hooked on her confidence; Lauren loved his quiet humor. Months later, after Jrue got drafted 17th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2009, things heated up. By then, Lauren was a rising star on the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT). Their shared world of elite sports made everything click. “She was older than me, which was cool,” Jrue later said with a grin. Little did they know, this was the start of a partnership that would outshine any trophy.
Lauren’s Professional Soccer Journey: Gold Medals and World Cup Magic
If college was Lauren’s launchpad, pro soccer was her rocket ship. Fresh out of UCLA, she signed with the Pali Blues in the W-League in 2009, then jumped to the Boston Breakers in the Women’s Professional Soccer league. But her real stage? The red, white, and blue of the USWNT. Lauren earned her first cap in 2007 as a sophomore—talk about fast-tracking—and by 2011, she was a starter.
Her Olympic debut came in Beijing 2008, where the U.S. team snagged silver. But Lauren’s fire really ignited in London 2012. As a key midfielder and forward, she helped Team USA dominate, clinching gold with a 2-1 penalty shootout win over Japan. Jrue was there, living his superfan dreams—face paint, jersey on, screaming from the stands. “It was insane,” he recalled. “I got to travel around England, but she was locked in.” That gold wasn’t just a win; it was a promise of more.
The 2011 World Cup was bittersweet. Lauren started every game, but an ankle sprain sidelined her at halftime in the final against Japan. The U.S. lost on penalties, and Lauren’s heart broke. “It was devastating,” she said. But she channeled that into fuel. By 2015, she was back stronger, scoring the game-winner in the World Cup final against… you guessed it, Japan. 5-2 victory, confetti flying, pure joy. At 27, Lauren hung up her international boots, retiring with 133 caps, 29 goals, two Olympic golds, a World Cup title, and a silver from 2011. She was U.S. Soccer’s Young Female Athlete of the Year in 2007 and Female Athlete of the Year in 2014. In the NWSL, playing for FC Kansas City, she won MVP and Golden Boot in 2013, plus championships in 2014 and 2015.
Lauren’s style? Fearless. Teammates called her “Nae Nae” on the field—a scrappy alter ego who hated losing. Off it, she was the teammate who’d lift you up. Her legacy lives on: In 2023, she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, surprising even herself. And in 2024, the NWSL named an award after her—the Lauren Holiday Impact Award—for players making a difference in communities. From a girl with a heart scar to a Hall of Famer, Lauren’s journey screams resilience.
A Power Couple’s Love Story: From Campus Flirt to Forever Vows
By 2013, Lauren and Jrue were inseparable. Jrue had blossomed in Philly, earning All-Rookie honors and becoming a defensive wizard. Lauren was conquering the world in cleats. But amid the chaos, they carved out “us” time—quiet dinners, beach walks, dreaming big. Jrue proposed in 2012, a simple moment that felt epic. “Knowing I’m going to be with him for the rest of my life has been quite a cool feeling,” Lauren shared.
Their wedding? July 7, 2013, at Cypress Sea Cove in Malibu, California. Ocean waves crashing, wooden banquet tables draped in lace, and yellow lemon drops as favors (their fave treat). Jrue’s 76ers buddies like Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner showed up, mixing NBA swag with soccer cheers. Lauren walked down the aisle in a gown that screamed elegance, Jrue beaming beside a simple cross. It was intimate, faith-filled, and totally them. “A match made in heaven,” one guest quipped.
Marriage didn’t slow them down—it fueled them. Jrue watched Lauren’s games religiously, even trash-talking playfully: “Your stadium sells out with 18,000? Soccer packs 90,000!” Lauren hyped Jrue’s NBA runs, from Philly to New Orleans Pelicans in 2013. They balanced tours with FaceTime calls, always prioritizing each other. “My family comes before basketball,” Jrue would say—a mantra proven time and again.
Facing the Storm: Health Battles and Unbreakable Support
Life threw a fastball in 2016. Lauren, six months pregnant with their first child, started battling brutal headaches. Scans revealed a benign meningioma tumor on the right side of her brain, near her eye socket. Devastating? Understatement. But Lauren’s fighter spirit kicked in. Doctors induced labor early—two months ahead—so baby could arrive safe, then scheduled surgery.
Enter Jrue: The ultimate teammate. He stepped away from the Pelicans at the season’s start, forgoing millions to be by her side. “She’s the toughest woman I know,” he told reporters, eyes misty but voice steady. On September 8, 2016, daughter Jrue Tyler Holiday (named after Dad, with a nod to Tyler, TX) entered the world—healthy and hollering. A month later, Lauren’s tumor was removed successfully. Recovery was rough—painful nights, endless “whys?”—but joy followed. “There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning,” Lauren posted on Instagram, cradling tiny JT. Jrue’s leave? It strengthened their bond, showing love isn’t just cheers from the stands—it’s showing up when it hurts.
Four years later, in October 2020, they welcomed son Hendrix, rounding out their crew. Family life looks like beach days in LA, holiday chaos, and Jrue teaching the kids dribbles while Lauren coaches corner kicks. Social media glimpses? Heart-melting—family hikes, game nights, Jrue in a tiny chef hat flipping pancakes. “We’re a team,” Lauren says simply.
Giving Back: The Jrue Holiday Wife‘ Impact Beyond the Game
Athletes like Jrue and Lauren don’t just win—they uplift. In 2020, amid global reckonings on race, they launched the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Justice Impact Fund. Using Jrue’s bubble-season salary, they poured millions into Black-led nonprofits, education, and community programs in LA, New Orleans, and Indy. “We talked about furthering the movement,” Jrue explained. It’s hands-on: scholarships for underserved kids, support for criminal justice reform, mental health resources. Lauren’s soccer roots shine through too—she’s an ambassador for the North Carolina Courage, her old NWSL stomping grounds, joined ownership in 2025 with Jrue.
Their why? Real talk. “We’ve been blessed,” Lauren shares. “Now we pay it forward.” Jrue echoes: “Empathy is key—I learned that watching her career.” From Hall of Fame nods to quiet acts of kindness, the Holidays remind us success is shared.
Lauren Today: Mom, Mentor, and Still a Force
Retired from the pitch since 2015, Lauren’s busier than ever. At 38 (as of 2025), she’s a hands-on mom to 9-year-old JT and 5-year-old Hendrix, juggling school runs with Jrue’s Celtics schedule. They split time between Boston and LA, making homes wherever life takes them. Jrue’s 2021 Olympic gold? Poetic payback—he FaceTimed Lauren from Tokyo, channeling her 2012 vibes.
Lauren’s voice? Stronger post-retirement. She mentors young players, advocates for women’s soccer growth, and shares raw stories on health and hustle. Her Instagram (@laurenholiday12, 240k+ followers) is a mix: family candids, throwback goals, empowerment posts. “Joy comes in the morning,” she reminds fans. And with Jrue chasing another ring, she’s courtside, cheering loudest.
Wrapping It Up: Why the Jrue Holiday WifeInspire Us All
Lauren Holiday isn’t just “Jrue Holiday Wife“—she’s a trailblazer who turned scars into strengths, goals into golds, and challenges into chapters of triumph. From Indy’s fields to global stages, her story with Jrue is a masterclass in love, teamwork, and tenacity. They’re proof that the best plays happen off-script, with heart leading the way.