Is Dwight Howard Married? What Really Happened With His Relationships

Is Dwight Howard Married? What Really Happened With His Relationships

Dwight Howard has lived a lot of lives in one. He’s been the "Superman" of the NBA, a global basketball journeyman, a reality TV star on Dancing with the Stars, and a father of five. But if you’re looking at his finger lately, you’re probably asking: is Dwight Howard married?

The answer is actually kind of a rollercoaster.

Technically, as of early 2026, things are in a bit of a "wait and see" mode, though court records from late 2025 tell a story of a very rocky union. If you follow the NBA or reality TV, you know Dwight doesn’t do anything halfway. That includes his love life. For a long time, the big man was known as one of the most eligible (and sometimes controversial) bachelors in sports. Then, everything changed with a whirlwind romance that left fans trying to keep up.

The Marriage Nobody Expected: Dwight and Amy Luciani

Most people still think of Dwight Howard’s relationship history in terms of his past with Royce Reed or his brief marriage to WNBA player Te’a Cooper. But the most recent chapter involves rapper and Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star Amy Luciani (whose real name is Amber Rose).

They went public in a big way in December 2024.

It wasn't just a "we're dating" post. They announced their engagement with massive diamond rings and some very emotional captions. Amy called him a "Bible totin', tattooed giant." Dwight used hashtags like #blacklove and #prayedforthis. It felt like he had finally found "the one" after years of searching.

They didn't wait long. By January 11, 2025, the two had officially tied the knot in an intimate ceremony. For a few months, it looked like domestic bliss. They were traveling to Thailand for a honeymoon and posting videos of their life together.

Then Came the July Filing

The honeymoon phase didn't just end; it hit a wall. In July 2025, just six months after saying "I do," Amy Luciani filed for divorce.

The court documents were pretty standard but stinging. She cited the marriage as "irretrievably broken." There were even mutual restraining orders filed—which sounds intense, but in high-profile celebrity divorces, these are often standard legal maneuvers to keep both parties from moving assets or harassing each other during the split.

Wait, Are They Back Together?

This is where it gets confusing for anyone trying to figure out if he's actually single right now.

By November 2025, the narrative shifted. Amy started posting videos on Instagram giving "marriage advice." She actually called her decision to file for divorce "silly and stupid." She talked about how "successful, top-tier men" just want peace and admitted she made mistakes by venting to her friends about her marital problems.

She's been seen out and about with Dwight recently. They haven't officially confirmed if the divorce was withdrawn or if they are just "working on it," but the vibe has definitely moved from "it's over" to "we're trying."

A Look Back: The Te’a Cooper Chapter

Before Amy, there was Te’a Cooper.

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This was the relationship that many fans thought would stick. They started dating around 2019 and secretly got married in November 2020. It was a literal basketball powerhouse couple. He was with the Lakers, she was with the Sparks. Both in LA. It was perfect.

But it didn't last. By 2021, they had separated. Te’a eventually moved on and started dating NFL star Alvin Kamara. Dwight, on the other hand, went back to the single life for a while, focusing on his stint playing overseas in Taiwan and eventually his transition into more mainstream entertainment.

The Complexity of Being Dwight Howard

To understand Dwight’s marriage status, you have to understand his family. He has five children with five different women.

  • Braylon (with Royce Reed)
  • Layla (with Tiffany Render)
  • Jayde (with Hope Alexa)
  • Dwight III/Trey (with Christine Vest)
  • David (with the late Melissa Rios)

He’s been incredibly open about this lately. On his podcast, Above the Rim with DH 12, he admitted he hasn't always been the best role model. He talked about the "heartbreak" of having kids with multiple women and how he wished he’d handled things differently when he was younger.

Honestly, it's that vulnerability that makes his current marriage situation with Amy Luciani so interesting. He seems to be looking for stability. Whether that stability is found in his marriage to Amy or through a clean break remains to be seen.

The Current Status Summary

If you need the "just the facts" version:

  1. Is he married? Yes, legally he wed Amy Luciani in January 2025.
  2. Is he getting divorced? She filed in July 2025, but they have been publicly reconciling since late 2025.
  3. Is he single? Not officially. He hasn't announced a final divorce or a new partner.

What This Means for Fans

Watching Dwight Howard navigate his personal life is a lesson in growth and public scrutiny. He’s 40 years old now. He’s not the 19-year-old kid from Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy anymore.

When you see headlines about his "messy" life, remember that he's also the guy who stepped up to raise his son David full-time after David’s mother, Melissa Rios, tragically passed away in 2020. He's a guy trying to figure it out in front of millions of people.

Actionable Insights for Following the Story

If you're trying to keep up with the latest on Dwight's relationship status, here is what you should look for:

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  • Social Media Shifts: Dwight and Amy are very active on Instagram. If they stop following each other or delete photos, the reconciliation likely failed.
  • Court Records: Check for a "Dismissal" of the divorce filing in Georgia. If that hasn't happened yet, the marriage is still legally in limbo.
  • Podcast Updates: Dwight uses his Above the Rim podcast to drop truth bombs. It's usually the first place he confirms major life changes.

Dwight Howard remains one of the most fascinating figures in sports. Whether he's a married man or a bachelor, he's definitely going to keep people talking.


Next Steps for Readers

Check out Dwight's official Instagram for recent photos with Amy Luciani to see if they’re still appearing together at events. You can also look up the latest episodes of Above the Rim with DH 12 on YouTube, where he frequently discusses his views on family and personal growth.