The Secret Life Of Natalija Jokic: 7 Surprising Facts About Nikola Jokic’s Wife And Her New Baby Boy

The world's focus is usually on the court, watching Nikola Jokic—the Serbian superstar and Denver Nuggets center—dismantle defenses and rack up MVP awards. However, the foundation of the Joker's calm, focused demeanor and his desire to return to his quiet life in Sombor, Serbia, is his long-time partner and wife, Natalija Jokic (née Mačešić). As of December 2025, the Jokic family has quietly expanded, providing the most significant update to their private life since their daughter's birth. This article dives deep into the life of the woman who is Nikola's rock, revealing fresh details about her professional career, her athletic past, and the family's newest addition.

The story of Natalija and Nikola is a rare one in the high-stakes world of the NBA: a relationship that began in high school and survived a grueling long-distance phase, culminating in a private wedding and the recent welcoming of a second child. Her unwavering support from the sidelines, often seen with their daughter, Ognjena, is a testament to the strength of their bond, which she carefully shields from the intense media spotlight.

Natalija Jokic: Complete Biography and Profile

Natalija Jokic, formerly Natalija Mačešić, is the anchor of the Jokic family, known for her quiet strength and professional achievements outside of her role as an NBA wife. Her life story is one of dedication, both to her education and her enduring relationship with the two-time NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic.

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• Full Name: Natalija Jokic (née Mačešić)
• Date of Birth: January 4, 1995
• Age: 30 (as of December 2025)
• Hometown: Sombor, Serbia
• Nationality: Serbian
• Ethnicity: Serbian
• Marital Status: Married to Nikola Jokic (October 24, 2020)
• Children: Two (Daughter: Ognjena Jokic, born September 2021; Son: Name unconfirmed, welcomed late 2024)
• Education: Seminole State College (Volleyball), Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) (Psychology)
• Profession: Psychologist
• Former Athletic Career: Volleyball Player (Seminole State College)

The High School Sweetheart Story That Survived Long-Distance

The relationship between Natalija and Nikola is a refreshing anomaly in the world of professional sports, beginning long before Jokic became the global sensation known as the "Joker." Their love story started in their shared hometown of Sombor, a quiet city in Serbia, where they met as teenagers in high school in 2013.

The Long-Distance Challenge

Just a few months after they started dating, their relationship was immediately put to the ultimate test: a long-distance separation spanning an ocean. Natalija moved to the United States to pursue her collegiate dreams, initially enrolling at Seminole State College in Oklahoma on a scholarship to play volleyball. This decision meant years of managing a relationship across multiple time zones while Nikola was developing his professional basketball career in Serbia.

The distance was challenging, but their commitment never wavered. Two years later, in 2015, Nikola Jokic was drafted by the Denver Nuggets and moved to the US, finally closing the distance gap. Natalija transferred to Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) to be closer to him, where she continued her education. This move allowed the high school sweethearts to finally build a life together in Denver, a significant step that cemented their bond before Nikola’s rise to global fame.

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A Private Serbian Wedding

After years of dating, the couple was married in a private, intimate ceremony in Sombor, Serbia, on October 24, 2020, during the NBA offseason. The wedding was a quiet affair, a reflection of their preference for privacy and their deep roots in their Serbian heritage. This intimate approach to their personal life is a core value for both Natalija and Nikola, who famously prioritizes his family and horses over the glitz of the NBA lifestyle.

Natalija’s Life Beyond the Court: Psychologist and Former Athlete

Natalija Jokic is far more than just an "NBA Wife" or a fixture on the Denver Nuggets' sidelines. Her own achievements and professional path showcase a driven and intelligent woman who built her own career in the US.

A Career in Psychology

One of the most defining aspects of Natalija’s life is her commitment to her education. She earned a degree in Psychology from MSU Denver, and multiple reports indicate she is a practicing psychologist. This professional background is a key entity in understanding the stability she provides for the high-pressure life of a superstar athlete. The mental and emotional support she offers to Nikola is often cited as a cornerstone of his success, especially during intense periods like the NBA Finals or the demanding regular season schedule.

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From Volleyball Player to NBA WAG

Before focusing on her psychology career, Natalija was an athlete herself. She played volleyball for Seminole State College in Oklahoma. This shared background in competitive sports gives her a unique perspective and understanding of the dedication, sacrifice, and mental toughness required to compete at an elite level. This mutual respect for the athletic journey undoubtedly strengthens their partnership, allowing her to be a truly empathetic "NBA WAG" and a powerful source of support.

The Newest Addition: Ognjena and Her Baby Brother

The most recent and exclusive updates about the Jokic family revolve around their growing number of children. The couple, known for their extreme privacy, made headlines when they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Ognjena, in September 2021. Ognjena, whose name means "fiery" in Serbian, quickly became a beloved fixture on the sidelines, often seen in her father's arms after games and during the Denver Nuggets’ championship celebrations.

However, the biggest news, confirmed in late 2024 and early 2025, is the birth of their second child. Natalija and Nikola quietly welcomed a baby boy, giving their daughter Ognjena a younger brother. While the couple has not publicly announced the baby’s name, the news of a son has been a major topic among fans and the media, highlighting the expansion of the Jokic family unit.

The arrival of a second child, particularly a son, marks a new chapter for the family. It reinforces Nikola’s often-stated desire for a simple, family-focused life away from the spotlight. Natalija Jokic remains the quiet force behind the MVP, successfully balancing her professional career as a psychologist with raising a young family and supporting one of the world's most dominant basketball players.

The entities surrounding the Jokic family—from the Sombor roots and the long-distance relationship to the influence of Nikola's brothers (Strahinja and Nemanja Jokic) and the stability provided by Natalija’s career—paint a picture of a couple whose success is deeply rooted in mutual respect and a shared history. Natalija Jokic is the unsung MVP of the Joker's life, and with the recent addition of their son, the foundation of their family is stronger than ever.