Joakim Noah is a retired NBA center best known for his years with the Chicago Bulls, where he became a two-time All-Star and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. He’s married to Brazilian supermodel Lais Ribeiro, and the two have built a blended family together.
Who is Joakim Noah?
Joakim Simon Noah is a French-American former professional basketball player. He was selected ninth overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2007 NBA Draft after helping the University of Florida win back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007.
Noah spent most of his 13-season NBA career with the Bulls, where he became known for his defensive intensity and rebounding, earning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2014. He also played for the New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Clippers before retiring in 2021.
Joakim Noah’s Bio
| Full Name | Joakim Simon Noah |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Jo, Sticks |
| Profession | Former Professional Basketball Player |
| Date of Birth | February 25, 1985 |
| Age | 41 years |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | French-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Known For | NBA Defensive Player of the Year, longtime Chicago Bulls center |
Joakim Noah comes from a well-known family. His father, Yannick Noah, is a former world No. 3 tennis player and winner of the 1983 French Open, while his mother, Cécilia Rodhe, was crowned Miss Sweden in 1978.
Joakim Noah’s Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet 11 inches |
| Weight | Not publicly known |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Athletic |
Standing at nearly 7 feet tall, Noah’s height was a defining physical trait throughout his NBA career, especially given his mobility and skill for a player his size.
Background and Early Life
Joakim Noah was born on February 25, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a household shaped by his parents’ athletic and artistic backgrounds, with his father a tennis champion and his mother a sculptor and former beauty queen.
He attended several schools growing up, including the United Nations International School, Poly Prep Country Day School, and The Lawrenceville School, before heading to the University of Florida on a basketball scholarship.
At Florida, Noah played under coach Billy Donovan and helped lead the Gators to consecutive NCAA championships, cementing his status as one of the top prospects heading into the 2007 NBA Draft.
Is He Married? Who Is Joakim Noah Wife?
Yes, Joakim Noah is married. His wife is Lais Ribeiro, a Brazilian model and former Victoria’s Secret Angel. The two started dating in July 2018 and got engaged in September 2019 at the Burning Man festival.
They married on July 7, 2022, in a beachside ceremony in Ribeiro’s hometown in Brazil. Fellow Victoria’s Secret models Sara Sampaio and Jasmine Tookes served as bridesmaids.
Before Lais, Noah had two children, Leia and Emaan, from a previous relationship. Lais also has a son, Alexandre, from an earlier relationship. In November 2024, the couple welcomed their first child together.
Is There Any Past Relationship History for Joakim Noah?
Before his relationship with Lais Ribeiro, Joakim Noah was linked to a couple of other public figures over the years, including reported relationships with tennis player Tatiana Golovin and sports broadcaster Kristen Ledlow. These were reported past relationships rather than his marriage, and neither has been extensively confirmed in detail by Noah himself.
He also has two children, Leia and Emaan, from a relationship prior to his marriage to Lais.
Family Background
Joakim Noah’s father is Yannick Noah, a French tennis champion and singer, and his mother is Cécilia Rodhe, a former Miss Sweden and sculptor. His paternal grandfather, Zacharie Noah, was a Cameroonian footballer who won the Coupe de France in 1961.
He has three siblings: Yelena, Jenaye, and Joalukas Noah, the latter of whom also played professional basketball.
With his wife Lais, Joakim shares a blended family that includes his children Leia and Emaan from a previous relationship, Lais’s son Alexandre from an earlier relationship, and a child the couple welcomed together in November 2024.
Joakim Noah’s Net Worth 2026
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Around $50 million (reported) |
| 2020 | Not publicly known |
| 2021 | Around $50 million (reported) |
| 2022 | Not publicly known |
| 2023 | Not publicly known |
| 2024 | Not publicly known |
| 2025 | Around $35 million (reported) |
| 2026 | Not publicly known (estimates have ranged from $20 million to $50 million) |
Reported estimates of Joakim Noah’s net worth vary quite a bit from source to source, so the figures above should be treated as rough public estimates rather than confirmed numbers.
What’s well documented is his career earnings, which topped $140 million across his NBA career. His biggest paychecks came from a five-year, $60 million extension with the Bulls in 2010 and a four-year, $72 million deal with the Knicks in 2016.
Career
Joakim Noah’s basketball path started at the University of Florida, where he became a key part of the Gators’ back-to-back NCAA championship teams in 2006 and 2007, earning a reputation as a tenacious defender.
The Chicago Bulls picked him ninth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft. Over nine seasons with the team, Noah developed into one of the league’s best defensive players, earning two All-Star selections and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2013-14 season, widely considered the peak of his career.
After leaving Chicago in 2016, Noah signed with the New York Knicks, though injuries limited his impact there. He later had shorter stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers before officially retiring in 2021.
Lesser-Known Facts About Joakim Noah
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Famous Father | Son of French tennis legend Yannick Noah, winner of the 1983 French Open |
| Multiple Citizenships | Holds citizenship in the United States, France, and Sweden |
| National Team Choice | Chose to play international basketball for France over the US or Sweden |
| Charity Work | Co-founded the Noah’s Arc Foundation with his mother in 2010 |
| UN Recognition | His foundation earned special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council in 2015 |
| Football Roots | His paternal grandfather won the Coupe de France as a professional footballer |
Off the court, Noah has been vocal about social causes, including gun violence prevention, and has used his platform beyond basketball throughout his career.
Joakim Noah Social Media
Joakim Noah is active on social media, mostly sharing content related to his family, basketball legacy, and charitable work.
- Instagram: @stickity13 – shares family moments with wife Lais Ribeiro and their kids, along with basketball throwbacks and causes he supports
Lais Ribeiro is also very active online given her modeling career, often posting content that includes the couple’s blended family.
FAQs
Who is Joakim Noah’s wife?
His wife is Lais Ribeiro, a Brazilian model and former Victoria’s Secret Angel. They married in July 2022.
How old is Joakim Noah?
He was born on February 25, 1985, which makes him 41 years old.
What is Joakim Noah’s net worth?
Estimates vary by source, ranging from around $20 million to $50 million.
What is Joakim Noah’s nationality?
He holds French, American, and Swedish citizenship, and was born in New York City.
What is Joakim Noah known for?
He’s known for his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls, including winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.