If you’ve watched a single Phoenix Mercury game over the last two decades, you know the fire. Diana Taurasi is all trash talk, step-back threes, and a "win at all costs" energy that has basically defined the WNBA since 2004. But when the buzzer sounds and the jersey comes off, the person standing right there is the one who actually keeps the GOAT grounded.
Diana Taurasi wife, Penny Taylor, isn't just a "plus-one." Honestly, calling her that would be a massive insult to one of the most decorated basketball players on the planet.
They met as teammates. They won championships together. Then, they kept the whole world guessing about their relationship for years until they finally said "I do" in 2017. It’s a love story that started in the locker room and ended up shaping the entire culture of the Phoenix Mercury.
The Teammate-to-Wife Pipeline: How It Actually Started
Back in 2004, the Mercury drafted Taurasi first overall. Expectation levels were through the roof. At the same time, they brought in Penny Taylor, a clinical, high-IQ forward from Australia who had already been a star in Europe.
They were roommates on the road. Basically inseparable.
For three straight seasons, they were the duo to beat. In 2007, they led Phoenix to its first-ever title. But the romantic part? That stayed behind closed doors for a long, long time. People suspected, sure. You’d see them at events together or looking a little too comfortable on the bench. But neither of them said a word to the press.
Penny had been married before—to Brazilian volleyball player Rodrigo Rodrigues Gil—from 2005 to 2008. After that divorce, her bond with Diana clearly deepened. They managed to keep their relationship a secret while being the two most important players on the team. That’s nearly impossible in the age of social media, but they pulled it off.
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That Secret Wedding and a 24-Hour Turnaround
In May 2017, they finally went public in the most permanent way possible. They got married in Phoenix on a Saturday.
Most people take a honeymoon. They go to a beach. They turn off their phones. Not Diana.
Less than 24 hours after saying her vows, Taurasi was on the court for the Mercury’s season opener against the Dallas Wings. She shot 1-for-11 that day. It was a terrible game by her standards, but nobody cared. The news was out: the Mercury’s favorite duo was officially a family.
Penny had retired from playing in 2016, transitioning into a role as the team’s Director of Player Development. It meant they were still together every day at the facility, just in a different capacity.
Why Penny Taylor is a Legend in Her Own Right
It’s easy to get overshadowed by Diana’s six Olympic gold medals and the fact that she’s the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer. But Penny's resume is ridiculous.
- Three WNBA Championships: 2007, 2009, 2014.
- Two Olympic Silver Medals: Representing Australia (the Opals) in 2004 and 2008.
- WNBA Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2022.
- World Championship MVP: She led Australia to gold in 2006.
She was the "calm" to Diana’s "chaos." On the court, Penny was the one who made the extra pass or hit the steadying mid-range jumper when things got hectic. Off the court, it’s clearly the same vibe.
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Life as a "Family of Four in the Valley"
The couple has two kids now. Their son, Leo Michael, arrived in March 2018. Then came their daughter, Isla, in October 2021.
The birth of Isla was pure Taurasi-style drama. Diana had just helped the Mercury win a brutal semifinal game against the Las Vegas Aces. She literally hopped on a private jet provided by team owner Mat Ishbia, flew back to Phoenix, and walked into the hospital just in time for Penny to give birth.
Talk about a clutch performance.
Since Diana officially retired in early 2025, their life has slowed down. Sorta. Diana recently joked in an interview that her biggest stressor now is figuring out Halloween costumes for the kids—they apparently wanted to be "K-Pop Demon Hunters" last year.
They spend a lot of time in Australia during the WNBA off-season to visit Penny’s family. They’ve also both embraced a vegan lifestyle. Diana credits Penny with helping her make that switch about ten years ago, which she says is the only reason her body held up until she was 42.
What People Get Wrong About Their Dynamic
There’s this misconception that because Diana is the "main character" of the WNBA, Penny just follows her lead. If you listen to Diana talk for five minutes, you realize it’s the opposite.
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Penny is the one who tells her when to shut up. She’s the one who handles the logistics. During Diana’s retirement press conference in March 2025, she was incredibly emotional, admitting she’s "sad" to leave the game. But she also noted that she’s "full" and happy because of the stability Penny provided throughout the 20-year grind.
They’re staying in Phoenix. They have roots there. Their kids go to school there.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Athletes
If you're looking at the Taurasi-Taylor relationship as a blueprint for longevity, here are a few things to take away:
- Prioritize a "Safe Space": Diana has always been a lightning rod for criticism. Having a partner who understands the specific pressures of pro sports (because they lived it) was her "secret weapon" for mental health.
- Invest in Nutrition: Both athletes swear by their plant-based diet for recovery. If you’re trying to play into your 40s, look at what you’re putting in your body.
- Privacy is Power: They didn't feel the need to "brand" their relationship early on. By keeping it private for nearly a decade, they built a foundation that wasn't reliant on public approval.
- Transition Planning: Penny retiring first allowed her to build a coaching and front-office career, which provided a landing pad for Diana when it was finally time to hang up the sneakers.
Diana Taurasi might be the one with the statue eventually, but Penny Taylor is the reason she lasted long enough to earn it.
Next Steps: If you're following Diana’s post-retirement journey, keep an eye on the Phoenix Mercury front office. While Diana is currently enjoying golf and "Redfin-surfing" (she’s obsessed with looking at real estate), there’s a high probability we’ll see her join Penny in a leadership or ownership role within the organization by 2027.