A Timeline Of Savannah And LeBron James' Relationship

Many sports fans call LeBron James the GOAT, comparing him to other NBA legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. And they certainly have a point; James is a four-time NBA MVP award winner, and he’s also won three NBA championships. Not to mention, he recently became part of the billionaire boys club. But if you asked James who he credits for much of his success, he would likely point to his wife.

Savannah James is, of course, the wife of the superstar athlete, but she is also a mother, businesswoman and the glue that keeps her family together. And even though LeBron wears many hats, he’s certainly not a one-man team.

With the help of his beautiful wife, the family has built an empire, with no plans to stop. To learn how they became the power couple that they are today, here’s a timeline of LeBron and Savannah’s relationship.

1. LeBron shoots his shot, but misses.

In an interview with Cleveland magazine, Savannah talked about how the couple met. She said that a mutual friend revealed that King James was interested in her, but she declined.

“I’m like, ‘Um, nope. I’ll take his number,'” she told Cleveland magazine.

She admitted to later reaching out to LeBron out of boredom.

“One day, I’m sitting around — I was probably bored or something — and I’m like, ‘Oh, I forgot! I have this number for this guy that I can call. He seemed interested, so let’s see.'”

The pair hit it off on their first date at Outback Steakhouse, and have been inseparable ever since.

2. LeBron becomes a rising talent.

LeBron is pretty serious about his craft, as evidenced by his multiple titles and awards. But even though James is a natural talent, he credits his wife for helping him become the man he is today.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he discussed the important role Savannah has played throughout his career. He referenced a line from the song “Stay Schemin’,” in which Drake critiques the divorce settlement the late Vanessa Bryant was due to receive following a divorce from NBA legend Kobe Bryant. The divorce was later called off.

“We have been down since high school. I listen to a lot of rap music, and a good friend of mine said, ‘You wasn’t with me shooting in the gym. … But in all actuality, Savannah was with me shooting in the gym when I [had] absolutely nothing.”

He continued, “[Savannah] was down when I was at my high school, no cameras, no lights. And she was there with me. You wouldn’t be talking to me right now if it weren’t for her.”

Fortunately, their hard work paid off when LeBron became the top pick in the 2003 annual NBA draft.

3. Their first child is born.

In October 2004, LeBron and Savannah welcomed their first child, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr. The couple was overjoyed upon meeting their new bundle of joy, but prior to his arrival, they were concerned how a new baby might affect LeBron’s budding career.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Savannah recalled her worries over the timing of her pregnancy.

“I was thinking, ‘What am I going to tell my parents? What’s going to happen to his career?'” she remembered. “I was very scared. I was bawling. But he (James) said, ‘It’s not going to slow me down, and it’s not going to slow you down. We’re going to keep doing what we have to do.'”

And he was right — the birth of their son further motivated James, leading him to become the billionaire family man that he is today. The couple would later welcome a second son, Bryce, in 2007.

4. The couple started the LeBron James Family Foundation.

Both LeBron and Savannah are all about giving back to the community. And their hometown of Akro, Ohio, holds an especially important place in their hearts.

In 2004, LeBron and Savannah started The LeBron James Family Foundation. Their mission was to provide education to underprivileged children and youth in Akron. Since its inception, the foundation has provided many education tools and resources to help make learning equal and accessible. This includes annual sponsored events, donations and giveaways, and much more. They even partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help renovate clubhouses across the country.

And even though Savannah helps to manage The LeBron James Family Foundation, she also started a mentorship program for young girls called “Women of Our Future.”

5. LeBron proposes to Savannah.

In 2011, LeBron proposed to his longtime best friend, Savannah. He popped the question at a New Year’s Eve celebration in South Beach.

But even though James is a multitalented athlete, he admitted to being nervous about if he could pull off the proposal. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey on Oprah’s Next Chapter, he recalled the moments leading up to the big event. “I was nervous. It felt like before a finals game.”

He even enlisted the help of his teammate Dwyane Wade to hold the ring for him while he waited for the perfect moment to pop the question. “I asked him for it right after the ball dropped,” James recalled. “He was like, ‘You ready?’ I was like, ‘If you don’t give me this ring right now, I ain’t gonna do it.'”

Friends and family were elated upon hearing the news, but Savannah wouldn’t be the only one to be given a ring. In 2012 and 2013, LeBron went on to win his first two NBA championships with the Miami Heat.

6. The couple becomes #RelationshipGoals.

Following his first NBA championship win in 2012, LeBron was quickly becoming a household name. And as his fanbase grew, so did the spotlight on him and his family.

Fans called LeBron and Savannah #RelationshipGoals. But the duo are also best friends, and they aren’t afraid to show it.

In an interview with Cleveland magazine, Savannah gushed over her husband.

“He is truly a king to his queen if you will,” she said. “He treats me with so much respect — I mean, it’s hard to not love him, with the way that he is with me and the kids and his mom and just everyone who’s around him. He’s a really, really humble guy for everything that he has and everything that he’s done.”

And when LeBron sat down for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he highlighted her role in his life, saying, “You wouldn’t be talking to me right now if it weren’t for her.”

7. LeBron and Savannah wed.

LeBron and Savannah met in high school and fell in love pretty soon after. Together, they have worked toward building wealth, community, and family.

And on Sept. 14, 2013, the power couple celebrated their love by tying the knot in an intimate California wedding. Joining them were their two sons and, of course, their closest family and friends. Other notable guests were in attendance, including fellow basketball player Dwyane Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union. Plus, Beyonce and JAY-Z performed at the wedding to help celebrate their nuptials.

Shortly after their wedding, the high school sweethearts welcomed their third child, daughter Zhuri.

8. The couple celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Even though LeBron and Savannah lead busy lives, they make it a point to take time to celebrate each other.

To honor their fifth wedding anniversary, King James surprised his wife with a private Daniel Caesar performance in their family living room. The singer and songwriter serenaded Savannah by singing “Best Part,” a beautiful song that celebrates love and romance.

For their eighth wedding anniversary, the couple shared a series of heartwarming social media posts. LeBron shared a picture of them standing on the balcony as they embraced on the night of their engagement.

“Our own personal Met Gala 8 years ago. Happy Anniversary Queen!! Who am i w/o you in my corner, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Love you,” he captioned the post.

And Savannah echoed his sentiments, saying, “Happy Anniversary to my forever scary movie partner, my forever feet warmer, the Capricorn to my Virgo, my bestie, my babe!!! 8 years down, forever to go! Love you deep!! #LookWhatWeDid.”

Lebron james Savannah-James