How Many Kids Does Dwyane Wade Have? The NBA Star’s Large Family Explained
Former NBA star Dwyane Wade has a rather large family with four children from two different relationships. Wade’s kids have been in the public eye as he has shared details about his family life during and after his illustrious basketball career.
So how many kids does Dwyane Wade have in total? Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade
Wade’s oldest child is Zaire Blessing Dwyane Wade, who was born on February 4, 2002. Zaire’s mother is Wade’s high school sweetheart Siohvaughn Funches, who the basketball star married in 2002.
As the oldest sibling, 19-year-old Zaire is currently a sophomore at Sierra Canyon School in California. He is following in his father’s footsteps as a basketball player.
Zaya Wade
Wade’s second child is Zaya, who was born as Zion Malachi Airamis Wade on May 29, 2007. Zaya came out as transgender in 2020 at the age of 12, and now goes by the name Zaya.
Wade has been supportive of Zaya’s journey, telling Ellen DeGeneres: “We take our roles and responsibility as parents very seriously.” Zaya’s mother is also Funches.
Xavier Zechariah Wade
The third of Wade’s children is Xavier Zechariah Wade, who was born on November 10, 2013. Xavier’s mother is Wade’s current wife, actress Gabrielle Union.
Xavier is the half-brother of Zaire and Zaya. He keeps a relatively low profile compared to his older siblings.
Kaavia James Union Wade
Wade’s youngest child is daughter Kaavia James Union Wade, who was born via surrogate on November 7, 2018. Her mother is also Gabrielle Union.
Kaavia is Wade’s fourth and youngest child at just four years old. She is the half-sister of Zaire, Zaya, and Xavier.
Recap of Dwyane Wade’s Kids
To summarize, Dwyane Wade has:
- Zaire, 19, with Siohvaughn Funches
- Zaya, 15, with Siohvaughn Funches
- Xavier, 9, with Gabrielle Union
- Kaavia, 4, with Gabrielle Union
So in total, Wade has four children – two sons and two daughters – across his two major relationships.
While Wade himself grew up in a challenging environment, he places great importance on being a present and loving father. He affectionately calls his kids his “Wade World” and they have supported him courtside at memorable moments like his final NBA game.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dwyane Wade’s Kids
Here are some common questions people have about Dwyane Wade’s family:
How many baby mamas does Dwyane Wade have?
Dwyane Wade has two baby mamas – his high school sweetheart Siohvaughn Funches, with whom he has Zaire and Zaya, and his current wife Gabrielle Union, with whom he has Xavier and Kaavia.
Does Dwyane Wade have custody of his sons?
Yes, Dwyane Wade has full custody of both of his sons Zaire and Xavier. He was awarded sole custody of them in 2011 after a lengthy court battle with Funches.
What is Gabrielle Union’s relationship like with Dwyane Wade’s older kids?
Gabrielle Union has said she has a warm, loving relationship with Zaire and Zaya, and considers them her stepchildren. She calls them her “bonus kids.”
Where does Dwyane Wade’s youngest child Kaavia live?
Kaavia lives with her parents, Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, in Los Angeles. Wade also lives part-time in Miami where he owns a home.
What advice has Dwyane Wade given his kids about life in the public eye?
Wade tries to teach his kids to stay humble and live meaningful lives out of the spotlight. He prepares them to face public criticism at times as part of a famous family.
Conclusion
In summary, retired NBA legend Dwyane Wade has four children – Zaire, Zaya, Xavier, and Kaavia – from his two major relationships with Siohvaughn Funches and Gabrielle Union.
Wade has embraced fatherhood, even taking on full custody of his older sons Zaire and Xavier. He continues to support all his kids as they grow up with a famous parent and face unique challenges.