Gabrielle Union Says Dwyane Wade’s Family Was Skeptical of Age Gap

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Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade‘s relationship wasn’t an immediate slam dunk for his family.

As a lifestyle expert looking back on my personal experiences, I recall a romantic journey shared by a duo who crossed paths in 2009 – both finding themselves single after their initial marriages concluded. Along the way, they encountered apprehension from Dwyane’s family, especially his elder sister Tragil, due to the nine-year age gap between them. This skepticism added an extra layer of challenge to their blossoming romance.

In a chat on Michelle Obama’s IMO podcast on August 20, the Bring It On actress shared that when she first encountered his older sisters, who are around her age, there was an instant connection. She added that they get along well, but with Tragil, things are different due to her protective role. Tragil acts as a guardian, ensuring he remains focused and interference-free.

Until their wedding in 2014, Dwyane’s sister and mother, Jolinda, initially needed to be reassured that they were truly a couple.

She revealed, “When our relationship was still in its early stages, I believe Tragil and his mother wondered something along the lines of, ‘What are your intentions? Who are you, this older woman? What do you seek?’

The 52-year-old individual, who is the parent of Kaavia James, age 6 (with Dwyane), Zaire, 23, and Zaya, 18 (from his first marriage with Siohvaughn Funches, for whom he has full custody), Zavier, 11 (with Aja Metoyer), and Dahveon Morris, age 21 (who he was granted full custody of in 2011) swiftly addressed their worries.

In her recollection, she expressed, ‘Well, you know, we’ve both been through a divorce, finding ourselves in similar circumstances. I didn’t have a child at 20 and remain childless till now, with no immediate plans to change that. So, as for my sexual orientation, I identify as straight. I manage my own finances, ensuring I’m financially independent. I simply like him; let’s see where our relationship leads.’

Over time, the periods of discomfort actually helped them forge a bond that was significantly stronger than it could have been without those challenges.

Gabrielle clarified that it required a number of years for both parties to build trust with one another, and now, since we’re all aligned in our objectives, interacting comfortably has become effortless.

In the end, Gabrielle recognizes valuable insights from the gradual evolution of her bond with her husband’s kin.

To receive grace, you must first extend it, as she pointed out. It’s definitely a process to learn.

Keep reading for more couples who opened up about their age gap relationships…

In the end, Gabrielle learns a valuable lesson from the gradual development of her relationship with her husband’s family.

To gain grace, you need to extend grace first and eventually, you’ll reap the rewards,” she noted, adding that it’s definitely a process of learning.

Keep reading for more couples who opened up about their age gap relationships…

Disregarding comments about a significant age difference in their relationship isn’t something novel for these actresses; they’ve simply chosen to prioritize their love for an extraordinary individual, and if others find that strange, it’s their prerogative. Sarah expressed this sentiment in 2018 during an interview with Modern Luxury while discussing her partnership with Holland, stating “If someone wants to spend any time thinking I’m odd for adoring the most remarkable person in existence, then that’s on them. I’m thriving just fine.

Regarding the previous host of Project Runway, she brushes off negative remarks about her 16-year age difference with the Tokio Hotel guitarist. In an interview with InStyle in 2018, she stated, “People often question my relationship and ask about our age gap, but that’s really the only time I feel the age issue is thrust upon me and I have to address it. Otherwise, I don’t give it much thought.” Heidi made it clear she will continue living life as she chooses. “It’s essential to live happily without worrying too much about others’ opinions,” she added, “because worrying can only give you more lines on your face.

Meanwhile, the star of Quantico has criticized a double standard. She pointed out that there’s been a lot of talk about her being ten years older than the Jonas Brothers singer, but she feels this wouldn’t be the case if the situation were reversed. “People gave us a lot of flak about that and still do,” Priyanka said in an interview with InStyle. “I find it quite astonishing when you flip it and the guy is older – no one seems to care, and in fact, people seem to like it.

In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, I shared that the age difference between me and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who portrays Kraven the Hunter, isn’t something we frequently discuss in our daily lives. Initially, it might seem noteworthy to those unfamiliar with us, but after 14 years together, I find it insignificant. Reflecting on this, I realized that my relationship with Aaron has surpassed the length of my marriage to Jay Jopling, who is only a few years older than me. So, when considering our timeline, the age gap becomes less relevant in my perspective.

In my case, I share a birthday (Sept. 25) with my partner, but our pages in the calendar might not always match – that’s just how life goes sometimes. As he is 25 years older than me, there have been moments of difference, as one would expect in any relationship. However, our shared love and respect remain constant throughout the ebb and flow of our connection.

As an ardent admirer, let me express that the attention surrounding the relationship between the former star of The Parent Trap and the co-founder of Bonniedale Films seems to be misplaced, focusing solely on them. To clarify, I’m talking about HIM and her, THEM. You got it?

However, Dennis made it clear that he and Laura have grown accustomed to the attention due to their significant age difference. “We just don’t even notice it,” he explained in an interview with Today back in 2021. In essence, they maintain a connection like no other, one that transcends everything else. They share such a beautiful relationship and love finds its way, regardless of where it originates. As he put it, “You never know, when love is coming, who that’s going to be.” And on top of that, they couldn’t be more content with their lives together.

Initially, the yoga instructor used to harbor prejudiced opinions towards couples with significant age differences, but her perspective shifted after entering into a relationship with an older actor. On her podcast “Witches Anonymous” in 2022, she criticized such relationships as being exploitative or driven by materialistic motives. However, when people made similar comments about her own relationship, she realized that love can manifest in various forms and shouldn’t be judged based on external factors like age or societal norms.

Get ready, as the actor from ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ once shared a tale about how he nearly parted ways with his literary agent in the initial stages of their romance. In his own words on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Desert Island Discs’ in 2023, “I was 21 years older than her, and I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life feeling like an old man,” he said. However, he acknowledged that she was a truly remarkable individual.

It’s not easy for everyone to comprehend their relationship, as Oli expressed in an interview with Vogue, but he stated that there has only been love and joy between them, considering their 15-year age difference. And honestly, Sienna conveyed that no one else needs to understand it. “You can’t legislate matters of the heart,” she added, expressing her personal experience of never being able to do so.

The actor who played in Jurassic Park reminisced about a humorous exchange with his wife, an Olympian who is three decades younger, during an appearance on The Hoda Show. He jokingly asked, “If I were one of the Beatles, which Beatle would I be?” To this, she replied, “Rex Harrison.” However, Jeff clarified that she must have been thinking of George Harrison from The Beatles. Jeff mentioned that such instances highlight their age difference but overall, life with Emilie has been going well.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’d put it this way: When it comes to my partner, I find his wisdom and resilience truly captivating – qualities that often come with time. Age, after all, is just a number between us. What matters most is the profound connection we share, one that transcends numbers on a calendar. The passion he holds for me, the belief in my greatness, is what fuels my spirit and keeps me moving forward, regardless of the ebb and flow of professional endeavors.

Regarding the potential criticism concerning the age gap between Katharine (an ex-American Idol contestant) and her composer partner being nearly 35 years, it seems she has moved past any concerns. She expressed this sentiment during an interview on Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy Podcast in 2023, stating, “I understand the initial judgment, but things aren’t always as they seem. I’m captivated by our love story, and that’s really all that matters to me-that I’m enamored with our love tale.

One aspect of her relationship with ex-boyfriend Mark Estes, who is 13 years younger than her, was not premeditated or something she had planned to pursue. In a March 2024 episode of her podcast “Let’s Be Honest,” Kristin stated that dating a 24-year-old was never on her radar and she initially considered 30-year-olds too young for her. However, despite the perception from others, Mark is not your typical 24-year-old, and age is merely a number in their relationship. Kristin believes that maturity is influenced by various life experiences and upbringing rather than just the birth year. Despite this, she later revealed that she had ended the relationship with Mark months after the initial statement.

She stated during a podcast episode in October that he needs to live life extensively since he’s still young. At 24, she felt the impact of life experiences, and she recognizes those years as significant and formative ones when self-discovery typically occurs. She hopes he’ll have this opportunity, as well.

Despite calling their relationship the best in her life, she expressed optimism that Mark will eventually comprehend their separation was beneficial. Furthermore, she believes there may come a time when he expresses gratitude for it.

When the Oscar-winning individual found himself developing feelings for the barrister, I wasn’t certain if she reciprocated those feelings. I shared my admiration cautiously, as I wasn’t sure about her response due to our age difference. As I am seventeen years older than her, I pondered whether she might perceive me as an overly-attentive grandfather rather than a potential partner. However, it was revealed later that she felt the same way towards me, and we were married in 2014.

18-year age difference notwithstanding, the Bachelor alum finds that appearance is crucial when considering age differences, as he expressed on his podcast, The Viall Files, during a 2025 episode.

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2025-08-20 22:18