WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi is now playing her 20th season in the league. Widely considered one of the greatest players in history, Taurasi is already the league’s all-time leading scorer. Over the course of her career, Diana Taurasi has found her wife and former teammate Penny Taylor by her side.
Penelope Jane Taylor is a former professional basketball player who played well over a decade in the WNBA. A three-time WNBA champion, Taylor had a long and successful career in the US, Europe and beyond. She also had a glorious national career with the Australian women’s team. Married since 2017, here’s what you need to know about Diana Taurasi’s partner Penny Taylor.
Who is Diana Taurasi’s wife?
WNBA professional Diana Taurasi is married to her longtime partner Penny Taylor. They were originally teammates during their time together with the Phoenix Mercury, and that friendship eventually turned into something lasting.
Such was their chemistry on the court that then-Mercury’s manager Jim Pitman said this about the pair:
If Diana Taurasi is the heart of our franchise, Penny Taylor is the soul.
Jim Pitman on Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor (H/T LiveRamp)
While Taylor was previously married to Brazilian volleyball pro Rodrigo Rodrigues Gil back in 2005, and subsequently divorced, it wasn’t until 2016 that the two WNBA stars were being linked with dating rumors.
Where is Diana Taurasi’s wife Penny Taylor from?
Taylor is Australian by nationality. She spent her early childhood in Melbourne, Victoria. Penny started playing basketball at a young age in Belgrave South and later moved to play for the Nunawading Spectres.
Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi (via open source)She went to high school in Upwey, Victoria. After graduating, she earned a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
How old is Penny Taylor?
Penny Taylor was born 24 May, 1981. She is 43 years old, about one year older than her partner.
Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi (via open source)Diana Taurasi is 42 years old. She was born June 11, 1982, in Glendale, California.
How did Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor meet?
Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi met as teammates while playing for the Phoenix Mercury. However, they were initially linked in August 2016, when dating rumors spread surrounding the couple.
Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor (via Instagram)We never kept it secret; we just didn’t want that to be an issue ever. We knew when we walked through those doors, it was time to put work in and be professional.
Diana Taurasi told the Arizona Republic
They later disclosed that they had been dating for eight years before they got married on May 13, 2017. Their wedding was a small, private event with family and close friends.
How many kids do Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor have?
Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi have two children together. Penny gave birth to their son on March 1, 2018, and their daughter on October 9, 2021.
Their family (via Instagram)The timing of their daughter’s birth was dramatic—Taurasi had just finished playing in the WNBA semifinals. After winning Game 5 in Las Vegas, she rushed back to Phoenix and made it just in time to see Penny welcome their daughter into the world.
What does Penny Taylor do for a living?
Penny Taylor had a long and successful basketball career that lasted 19 years. She started playing in the Women’s National Basketball League with the Australian Institute of Sport, where she won a championship. She then played for the Dandenong Rangers, leading the league in scoring and earning MVP awards. After a break from the league, she returned to the Rangers in the 2014–15 season.
In the WNBA, Taylor was drafted by the Cleveland Rockers in 2001. She later joined the Phoenix Mercury, where she won three championships. Taylor retired in 2016 and took up a coaching career.
Penny Taylor (via WNBA)In March 2017, she became the Director of Player Development and Performance for the Phoenix Mercury. After having her son, she returned as an assistant coach in April 2019 but decided to step down in 2020 to spend more time with her family.
On the international stage, Taylor was a big part of the Australian women’s basketball team. She won a bronze medal at the 2002 World Championships and helped the team win gold in 2006, where she was named the Most Valuable Player. Taylor also earned silver medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Penny Taylor’s family and background
Taylor was born in Melbourne, to English parents, Michael Taylor and Denna Noble. She has a younger brother named Phillip, an older sister named Heather, and a step-sister named Abbey.
Penny Taylor and Daina Taurasi (via open source)Penny is married to former teammate Diana Taurasi, and together they have two children—a son born on March 1, 2018, and a daughter born on October 9, 2021.
FAQs
Who is Diana Taurasi’s partner?
Daina Taurasi married her ex-teammate, Penny Taylor.
When did Daina Taurasi and Penny Taylor get married?
Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor got married in 2017.
When did Penny Taylor retire?
Penny Taylor retired from professional basketball in 2016.
