When WNBA legend Candace Parker stepped away from professional basketball in 2024, she left behind an extraordinary legacy that extended far beyond her three championship rings and countless accolades. Behind the scenes of her illustrious career lies an equally compelling love story that has captured hearts across the sports world. Parker’s relationship with her wife, Anna Petrakova, represents one of the most inspiring romances in professional athletics—a tale of two elite athletes who found love on the basketball court and built a beautiful family together.
The 39-year-old basketball icon, who revolutionized women’s basketball with her versatility and leadership, has been married to former Russian professional basketball player Anna Petrakova since December 2019. Their relationship, which began as a friendship between teammates in Russia, evolved into a deep romantic connection that neither woman initially expected. What makes their story particularly remarkable is how they navigated the challenges of keeping their relationship private for years due to Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies, before courageously sharing their love with the world.
Today, Parker and Petrakova are proud parents to three children and continue to inspire countless fans with their authentic love story. Their journey from teammates to life partners demonstrates that love often arrives in unexpected packages, challenging preconceived notions about relationships and showing the power of staying true to oneself. As Parker once reflected, sometimes what you need doesn’t come in the box you expect it to.
How Candace Parker Met Her Wife Anna Petrakova
Basketball Brought Them Together
Candace Parker first encountered Anna Petrakova in 2012 when both athletes were playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia. Like many WNBA players, Parker was competing overseas during the offseason to supplement her income, while Petrakova was playing in her home country. The two women initially met as teammates representing their respective countries at the 2012 London Olympics, where Parker helped lead Team USA to a gold medal.
Their connection began as a professional relationship built on mutual respect for each other’s basketball talents. Both women were elite athletes who understood the dedication and sacrifices required to excel in professional sports. What started as casual conversations between teammates gradually developed into a deep friendship that would eventually transform their lives.
From Friendship to Romance
The transition from friendship to romance wasn’t immediate or dramatic for Parker and Petrakova. As Parker revealed in her memoir “The Can-Do Mindset,” there was no grand romantic moment like in the movies. Instead, their relationship evolved gradually over time through small moments and shared experiences.
Parker, who was married to former NBA player Shelden Williams at the time, began to notice her heart beating differently when she was around Petrakova. The realization came during their time exploring museums in Russia, when Parker found herself looking at Petrakova in a new way. Both women initially denied their feelings to themselves for approximately three years before finally accepting their romantic connection.
Their Secret Wedding and Marriage Timeline
The Proposal in Mexico
In April 2019, Petrakova took Parker to Mexico for her birthday, setting the stage for a life-changing moment. Parker decided to propose during this trip, orchestrating a romantic proposal on a boat surrounded by about 15 family members and friends. The proposal included a special touch from Parker’s daughter Lailaa, who presented Petrakova with a cake that read “Will you marry us?”
This gesture was particularly meaningful because it emphasized that Parker and Lailaa came as a package deal. As Parker explained, Lailaa was the center of her universe, and it was important for their “dynamic duo to be upgraded to the Big Three.” The proposal perfectly captured the family-centered approach that would define their relationship moving forward.
Secret Wedding Ceremony
Parker and Petrakova tied the knot on December 14, 2019, in an intimate ceremony attended by 50 guests plus staff, all of whom were required to keep the wedding secret. The couple chose to keep their marriage private for two years, not announcing it publicly until December 2021. This decision was largely influenced by concerns about Petrakova’s safety as a Russian citizen, given Russia’s harsh anti-LGBTQ+ policies and laws.
The secrecy surrounding their wedding reflected the complex challenges faced by LGBTQ+ athletes, particularly those with international connections. Russia’s Supreme Court has ruled that the international LGBT movement is an “extremist organization,” with participation punishable by up to 12 years in jail. This legal environment made their decision to keep their relationship private a matter of personal safety rather than shame.
Building Their Family Together
Going Public with Their Love
In December 2021, exactly two years after their wedding, Parker made the courageous decision to go public with their marriage. She announced on Instagram that she had been married to Petrakova for two years and that they were expecting their first child together. This revelation was met with overwhelming support from fans, fellow athletes, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Parker’s decision to share their relationship publicly was significantly influenced by her desire to set a positive example for her daughter Lailaa. As she explained, she couldn’t tell her daughter to be proud of who she is and speak up for those she loves if she wasn’t doing the same herself. This decision represented a powerful moment of authenticity and courage in professional sports.
Their Growing Family
Parker and Petrakova are now proud parents to three children. Their family includes Lailaa Nicole Williams, Parker’s 14-year-old daughter from her previous marriage to Shelden Williams. The couple welcomed their first child together, son Airr Larry Petrakov Parker, on February 11, 2022. Their family was completed with the arrival of their second son, Hartt Summitt Petrakov Parker, on May 21, 2024.
The name “Hartt Summitt” appears to honor the late legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt, reflecting the couple’s deep connection to the sport that brought them together. Parker frequently shares family moments on social media, using basketball terminology to describe their family dynamics, such as switching from “man-to-man to zone defense” with three children.
Current Relationship Status and Life Together
Life After Basketball
Following Parker’s retirement from professional basketball in 2024, she has focused more intensively on family life while continuing her work as a sports analyst and commentator. She has expressed that being a wife and mother remains her top priority, and she plans to enjoy her family to the fullest during this new chapter of her life.
The couple continues to live together as a blended family, with both women actively involved in raising their three children. Their relationship serves as an inspiration to many, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community and among professional athletes who may be struggling with their own identity or relationships.
Impact and Legacy
Parker and Petrakova’s relationship has had a significant impact beyond their personal lives. Their story has opened doors for conversations about LGBTQ+ representation in professional sports and the importance of having visible role models. Parker’s openness about her marriage has provided hope and inspiration for others who may be similar journeys of self-discovery and acceptance.
Their love story challenges traditional expectations and demonstrates that authentic relationships can flourish when people are brave enough to follow their hearts. As Parker noted, neither she nor Petrakova had imagined themselves in same-sex relationships, but they allowed themselves to be open to love in whatever form it arrived.
