Sports Romance
Who Is LA Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani’s Wife? Meet Mamiko Tanaka
As the Los Angeles Dodgers make another run in the MLB playoffs, the team’s designated hitter and pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, is back in the spotlight. The baseball star went public with his relationship with Mamiko Tanaka in 2024.
But who is the woman who has captured his heart? Scroll down for everything we know about Ohtani and Tanaka’s relationship, family, and more.
What does Mamiko Tanaka do for a living?
Tanaka is a former professional basketball player in Japan. She was on the Fujitsu Red Wave from 2019 to 2023. After four seasons on the team, she retired in 2023.
Prior to going professional, Tanaka played at Waseda University in Japan.
How did Shohei Ohtani meet his wife Mamiko Tanaka?
Ohtani and Tanaka met at a training facility after greeting each other in passing. After seeing each other two or three times over the next two weeks, they eventually began a relationship, according to The Japan Times.
Ohtani went public with his relationship in February 2024 after he and Tanaka had already secretly gotten married. At the time, he kept her identity a secret, but revealed on Instagram, “Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married. I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support.”
Per The Japan Times, he confirmed a few days later that his new bride was an “ordinary Japanese woman,” and said they had met three or four years prior. “I don’t know exactly how long [we dated], but we got engaged last year [in 2023],” Ohtani shared. Their relationship began as long-distance while Ohtani was playing baseball in the States and Tanaka was still in Japan.
Later that month, Ohtani confirmed Tanaka’s identity by sharing a photo of her on Instagram.
Does Shohei Ohtani have kids?
In December 2024, Ohtani and Tanaka announced that they were expecting their first child together. They welcomed a baby girl in April 2025.
“I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy beautiful daughter,” Ohtani gushed. “To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents. I would also like to thank the Dodgers organization, my teammates, and the fans for their constant support and kind words of encouragement. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the medical professionals and everyone who dedicated their support to us, up until this wonderful day.”
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Game 4, Thursday, October 9, 6:08 E.T., TBS, truTV, and HBO Max
