Lavar Ball: My Wife Left Me

Published June 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM EDT

"She wanted to go do something else, that’s fine with me."

CHINO HILLS, CA -- LaVar Ball has revealed that he and his wife, Tina Ball, have separated after nearly 30 years together. During a livestream appearance with content creator N3on, Ball said Tina “decided to go her own way” and emphasized that there is no bitterness between them. He described their marriage positively, saying, “We had our run,” and reflected on the value of experiencing long-lasting love.

LaVar and Tina married in 1997 and built one of basketball’s most recognizable families, raising sons Lonzo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, and LaMelo Ball. Tina largely stepped away from public life after suffering a major stroke in 2017 that left her with aphasia, a condition affecting speech and communication. Despite her health struggles, LaVar said she remained beautiful in his eyes and praised the years they spent together.

Ball also disclosed that he is now seeing someone new but declined to reveal any details about the relationship. The announcement comes after another difficult period in his life, including his 2025 above-the-knee leg amputation due to complications from diabetes. Throughout the interview, LaVar appeared accepting of the changes in his personal life, repeatedly saying, “It is what it is.”