Larry Bird's Wife: 7 Essential Facts About Dinah Mattingly And The Untold Story Of Their 35-Year Marriage

Despite the decades he spent in the public eye as an NBA icon, Larry Bird has always been fiercely protective of his private life, especially his marriage to Dinah Mattingly. As of this current date in December 2025, the couple remains one of the most enduring partnerships in sports, having celebrated over 35 years of marriage, a relationship built on a foundation of shared Indiana roots and a mutual desire for privacy.

The story of "Larry Legend" is incomplete without acknowledging the woman who has been his steadfast support through his legendary playing career with the Boston Celtics, his coaching tenure, and his executive roles with the Indiana Pacers. Dinah Mattingly has consistently chosen a life away from the celebrity spotlight, preferring to focus on family and philanthropic endeavors, a choice that has only fueled curiosity about the woman behind one of basketball's greatest players.

Dinah Mattingly Biography: A Profile of Larry Bird's Wife

Dinah Mattingly is the second wife of legendary NBA player Larry Bird. She is widely known for maintaining an extremely private life despite her husband's global fame, focusing on her family and charitable work.

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• Full Name: Dinah Mattingly
• Date of Birth: December 7, 1956
• Age (as of December 2025): 69
• Place of Birth: Vigo County, Indiana, USA
• Nationality: American
• Education: Attended Indiana State University (ISU)
• Occupation: Former High School Teacher, Philanthropist
• Spouse: Larry Bird (Married 1989)
• Children: Two adopted children: Connor Bird (son) and Mariah Bird (daughter)
• Step-Child: Corrie Bird (from Larry Bird's first marriage)
• Relationship Status: Married (since 1989)

The Enduring Partnership: Dinah Mattingly and Larry Bird's Relationship Timeline

Larry Bird’s romantic life is marked by two distinct chapters: a brief, tumultuous first marriage and a decades-long, stable second marriage to Dinah Mattingly. Understanding the context of both relationships is key to appreciating the stability Dinah brought to his life.

The First Chapter: Janet Condra and Corrie Bird

Larry Bird’s first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Janet Condra. They grew up together in French Lick, Indiana, and married in 1975, shortly before Bird's rise to collegiate fame.

The marriage was incredibly brief, lasting only a little over a year, and they separated in 1976.

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Despite the separation, the couple had one biological daughter, Corrie Bird, whose birth occurred after the divorce was finalized. Corrie Bird has since built her own life and career, often speaking about her relationship with her famous father.

The Second Chapter: Meeting Dinah Mattingly at Indiana State

Larry Bird and Dinah Mattingly first crossed paths while they were both students at Indiana State University (ISU).

Their friendship eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship in the 1980s, culminating in their marriage in 1989, a few years into Bird's historic run with the Boston Celtics.

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The couple's wedding was a private affair, consistent with their shared desire to keep their personal life out of the media circus that followed Bird's NBA career.

They later expanded their family by adopting two children, Connor Bird and Mariah Bird, who have also maintained a relatively low profile, though Mariah Bird works in the sports management world.

Addressing the Unconfirmed 2023 Divorce Rumor for Topical Authority

In a surprising twist that gained some traction in late 2023 and early 2024, a few reports suggested that Larry Bird and Dinah Mattingly had filed for divorce in Indiana.

This report of a "legal maneuver" in 2023 was highly unusual given the couple's long-standing relationship and lack of any public discord.

The majority of major news and biographical sources, including articles published in mid-2024, continue to list the couple as married since 1989, indicating that the reported filing was either a rumor, a filing that was withdrawn, or a private legal restructuring that did not result in a final, public separation.

For all intents and purposes, and based on the most current and widely-accepted information available in December 2025, Larry Bird and Dinah Mattingly remain a married couple, a testament to their commitment to privacy and stability over three decades.

Dinah Mattingly’s Life Beyond the Celtics: Career and Philanthropy

Dinah Mattingly is more than just an NBA wife; she has her own history and has forged a path of quiet contribution, particularly in her home state of Indiana.

A Career as a High School Teacher

Before becoming Mrs. Larry Bird, Dinah worked as a high school teacher. This background highlights her dedication to education and community, a stark contrast to the glitz of the NBA.

Her preference for this profession demonstrates her desire to maintain a life of normalcy and substance, away from the intense media scrutiny that followed her husband.

Commitment to Charitable Work

Both Larry and Dinah have been deeply involved in philanthropy, especially in their home state. Their charitable efforts often focus on causes close to their hearts, particularly those supporting youth and community development.

They are known to have contributed generously to organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, reflecting their shared values of giving back to the community that raised them.

Larry Bird's Post-NBA Life and Dinah's Role

Since retiring from playing, coaching, and his executive role with the Indiana Pacers, Larry Bird has embraced a quieter life, which Dinah Mattingly has been instrumental in maintaining.

The couple's life is centered in Indiana, far from the major media markets, allowing Bird to enjoy his retirement in relative peace.

In a significant recent event, the Larry Bird Museum opened in Terre Haute, Indiana, in May 2024, a major project that likely had Dinah's support and involvement, further cementing their legacy in the state.

Dinah Mattingly’s enduring presence has provided the Boston Celtics legend with the stable, private home life he craves. Her quiet strength and dedication to their family are the unseen foundation upon which one of basketball’s greatest careers was built, proving that sometimes, the most impactful support comes from the person standing quietly out of the spotlight.