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Dwyane Wadeand his wifeGabrielle Unionhave always put family first.
The pairfirst metwhile hosting a Super Bowl party together back in 2007, though things didn't get romantic until 2009. They split briefly in January 2013, but reconciled and were engaged that December. Union and Wade then got married in August 2014, in anintimate weddingheld in Miami.
On Nov. 7, 2018, the pair welcomed their first baby together, daughter Kaavia James Union Wade. Kaavia joined older siblings Dahveon, Zaire, Zaya and Xavier, whom Wade welcomed in previous relationships.
In 2020, their daughter Zaya came out as transgender and the two have been supportive all the way through. "She's the strong one in this family. She's a hero," Dwyane said inJune 2021.
"It's our family's job to make sure that we listen to her. We listen to the doctors. We ask questions and we formulate our own ideas of how Zaya should be and should be raised in this world and we don't allow others to do that for us."
As Dwyane Wade celebrates his 44th birthday on Jan. 17, 2026, check out some of the cutest photos he's shared with his family.
Celebrating Dad
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In October 2024, Dwyane Wade got a statue at the Kaseya Center in Miami and the family was on deck to support their patriarch at the 003 Statues Are Forever Party with FWRD.
Bonding Moments
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Dwyane hung out with his oldest daughter during the Netflix is a joke fest in May 2024.
Stylish Touchdown
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The Wades made a stylish appearance at the Out100 Celebration that December.
While accepting theElevate PrizeCatalyst Award earlier in the year, for his work advocating for the transgender community, Dwyane noted he was "just a parent doing what a good parent should do."
"This is just part of the Wade family, all the things that we do …," he said at the time. "We feel that in this space tomake the world a better place, you have to have acceptance."
"She didn't ask for this extra excitement in life," Wade said of Zaya. "She just wanted to be a kid and do kid things and live her life and be selfish and worry about herself. That's what you're supposed to do at her age, worry about you. But she's thinking about a larger community, and so I'm damn proud of her as a father."
Four of a Kind
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Dwyane and his mini-mes posed together as they attended Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Induction, at which he was also inducted as part of the class of 2023.
Priceless Moments
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Kaavia spent quality time playing with dad in this scenic flick.
Family Time
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"Happy Father's Day to my two favorite Dads. My Dad, who is fighting dementia everyday to hold onto his precious memories of his children and grandchildren and all the kids and adults he's adopted as family along the way," Gabrielle captioned under this sweet pic for Father's Day 2025.
She added, "And my husband who fights daily for the freedom, rights, opportunities and peace of his children and others around the world. Cheers to great Dads,"
Boys' Time
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Dwyane and son Xavier spent some quality time at a Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz game.
Playing Ball
Zaire, who is a talented basketball player himself, was snapped having some fun on the court with his superstar dad.
Smile for the Camera
Supportive, loving and forever making us jealous of theirfamily vacations, the Wades are the definition of #FamilyGoals.
Four of a Kind
Zaya posted asweet group photowith her dad, her stepmom and her older brother on Instagram. "Wades 🫶🏾," she wrote in the caption.
Making Memories
Looks like a field day for Kaavia and Dad! Dwyane posted someadorable shotsfrom a day spent outside with his daughter, dubbing it "#Daddurday" in the caption.
Tropical Holiday
Christmas 2022 seemed full ofsun and funfor this trio. In a joint Instagram post, the couple shared a Reel of them posing with their daughter, who wore a Santa-themed outfit on the holiday.
Out of this World
Union voiced Meridian Clade in Disney's animated filmStrange World, and her husband and daughter showed their support at the movie's premiere in November 2022.
Another Year of Love
Ahead of Union's 50th birthday, the actress posted a selfie with Kaavia and Wade to share her appreciation for her loved ones.
"As we start this journey across the world for my 50th, I just want to luxuriate in my gratitude for my family, my amazing friends and all the friends I haven't even met in person who have kept this train on the tracks this year, even after I collided with myself," she wrote in herInstagramcaption.
"Thank y'all for rockin with the old homie. I appreciate you guys more than you can imagine.#WadeWorldTour2022continues 🌍🙏🏾🎉🎂🥳🎈#ScorpioSeason"
Beachy Keen
The Wades and their youngest looked ready fora sandy dayas they rounded out summer 2022.
Seeing Triple?
It's hard to beat this adorable trio!
Chillin' Out
Kaavia and her dadcozied upon the couch and took a peek at his phone together.
Dad Twins Too!
On little Kaavia's personal Instagram account, she and Wade posted some silly selfies. "I stole his ENTIRE face. I meannnnn, can you take us!!?#Twinning," read the photo's caption.
Movie Magic
Both Zaya and Kaavia glammed up with mom and dadfor the premiereof Union'sCheaper By the Dozenremake in March 2022.
Holiday Travels
This family loves a Christmas away from home! In 2021, the couple brought their daughter to Hawaii to celebrate the holiday the tropical way.
Mini Me
The proud dad twinned with daughter Kaavia in this adorable selfie, snapped while on their holiday vacation.
Bonus Mom Love
After Wadeconfirmed to Ellen DeGeneresthat his daughter Zaya is transgender, Zaya's stepmom had some sweet and encouraging words to share about her daughter in aclipshe posted on Instagram: "Meet Zaya. She's compassionate, loving, whip smart and we are so proud of her. It's ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people."
Family Forever
Zaya and her big brother Zaire were pictured at a Pride parade.
Dwyanetold Ellen DeGenereson Feb. 11, 2019, that he fully supports Zaya's gender identity.
"When our child comes home with a question, when our child comes home with an issue, when our child comes home with anything, it's our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information we can, the best feedback we can," Wade told DeGeneres. "And that doesn't change because sexuality is now involved."
Flower Power
These three served us some major Halloween inspiration.
Baby's First Red Carpet
Kaavia was born a professional at red carpet posing! Here she is with her mom and dad at Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2019.
Courtside Kisses
The former Miami Heat player gave his wife a kiss as their daughter, Kaavia, looked on with her trademark nonplussed expression.
Snuggles with Dad
Kaavia is her dad's mini-me!
Best Seats in the House
Gabrielle, Dwyane and Zaire sat courtside at All-Star Weekend in February 2019.
Brotherly Love
Wade's son, Zaire, spent some quality time with his baby sister.
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