The 5 Women Who Defined Dwight Howard's Love Life: Inside The Shocking Six-Month 2025 Marriage And Messy Divorce

The question of "Dwight Howard's wife" is far more complex than a simple Google search suggests, involving multiple high-profile relationships, a reported secret marriage, and a shocking, short-lived union that dominated headlines in the summer of 2025. As of today, December 11, 2025, the former NBA superstar is once again single following a dramatic divorce filing just six months after marrying rapper and reality star Amy Luciani.

The whirlwind romance and abrupt end with Luciani is the latest chapter in a famously complicated personal life that includes multiple children from several partners and a previous marriage to a WNBA player that was kept largely out of the public eye. This in-depth look explores the full list of women who have been significant figures in Dwight Howard's romantic history, from his first baby mama to his most recent ex-wife.

Dwight Howard's Complete Relationship Profile: The Wives and Mothers of His Children

Dwight Howard has gained as much notoriety for his complex personal life as he has for his dominant career on the basketball court. While he has publicly acknowledged having five children with five different women, the list of women linked to him is extensive. Here is a biographical breakdown of the most significant figures in his romantic history.

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• Amy Luciani (Ex-Wife): Rapper and reality television personality, best known for appearing on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. She and Howard married in January 2025, only for Luciani to file for divorce in July 2025, six months later. Media reports initially confused her name with "Amber Rose Howard."
• Te'a Cooper (Ex-Wife): A professional basketball player in the WNBA. Howard and Cooper reportedly had a secret marriage, with news of them tying the knot emerging in late 2020, though their relationship later ended.
• Royce Reed (Mother of Braylon Howard): Former Orlando Magic cheerleader and star of the reality show Basketball Wives. She is the mother of Howard’s firstborn son, Braylon Howard, and their relationship has been publicly contentious for years, often involving custody disputes.
• Christine Vest (Mother of Dwight III "Trey" Howard): Mother of Howard's son, Dwight III, who goes by the nickname Trey. Their relationship has also been subject to public scrutiny regarding co-parenting and financial support.
• Hope Alexa (Mother of Jayde Howard): Mother of Howard's daughter, Jayde. She is often noted in media as the "baby mama" who has managed to stay out of the public drama that has plagued Howard’s other relationships.
• Melissa Rios (Mother of David Howard): The mother of Howard's son, David. Melissa Rios tragically passed away in March 2020 at the age of 31 due to an epileptic seizure, which Howard openly mourned.

The Shortest Marriage: Inside the Dwight Howard and Amy Luciani Union

The most recent and attention-grabbing event in Dwight Howard's personal life is his brief marriage to Amy Luciani. The two had a whirlwind romance that culminated in them reportedly tying the knot in January 2025.

Amy Luciani, known for her appearances on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and her music career, became the subject of intense media speculation after she was spotted with Howard. Their relationship was highly scrutinized, especially given Howard's history of complex, non-marital relationships.

The marriage, however, was short-lived. Just six months after the wedding, Luciani filed for divorce on July 1, 2025. The swift filing signaled an abrupt end to what many had hoped would be a stable new chapter for the eight-time NBA All-Star. The divorce proceedings quickly became a messy affair, with a mutual restraining order reportedly filed shortly after the initial paperwork.

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The rapid collapse of the marriage has fueled public discussion about the nature of celebrity relationships and the pressures of maintaining a private life under the constant glare of the spotlight, especially for a figure like Howard, whose romantic entanglements have long been a tabloid staple.

The Secret Marriage to WNBA Star Te'a Cooper

Before his very public and brief marriage to Amy Luciani, reports surfaced in late 2020 that Dwight Howard had secretly married WNBA player Te'a Cooper. The news came as a surprise to many fans, as the couple had kept their relationship largely private, only confirming an engagement the year prior.

Cooper, a talented professional basketball player who has played for teams like the Los Angeles Sparks, was significantly younger than Howard, which added to the media frenzy. The couple reportedly tied the knot in a private ceremony, choosing to keep the details of their union under wraps.

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While the exact date and reason for their separation remain less clear than his 2025 divorce, Cooper is now widely referred to as Howard's "ex-wife," confirming that the first official marriage in his life had also ended quietly. This pattern of a low-key start and a private end contrasts sharply with the high-drama conclusion of his most recent marriage, further highlighting the complexity of his romantic life.

The Mothers of His Children: Navigating Co-Parenting and Tragedy

The true depth of Dwight Howard's personal relationships lies in his role as a father to his five children, each from a different mother. The relationships with these women, often referred to as his "baby mamas," have varied wildly in terms of public visibility and drama, but they collectively form the foundation of his family life.

The Tumultuous Relationship with Royce Reed

Royce Reed, the mother of his eldest son, Braylon Howard, is arguably the most famous and contentious of his former partners. Their relationship was highly publicized on the reality show Basketball Wives, where Reed frequently discussed their custody battles and legal issues. The public disputes often involved accusations of poor co-parenting and financial issues, creating a long-standing media narrative around Howard's family responsibilities.

Christine Vest and Hope Alexa: Sons and Daughters

Christine Vest is the mother of his son, Dwight III, also known as Trey. Like Reed, Vest has occasionally spoken out about the challenges of co-parenting with the high-profile athlete. Hope Alexa, the mother of his daughter Jayde, is often cited as one of the few partners who has managed to keep her life with Howard private and relatively drama-free, focusing on raising their child away from the media circus.

The Tragic Loss of Melissa Rios

Perhaps the most somber chapter in this history is the death of Melissa Rios, the mother of his son David. Rios passed away tragically in March 2020 due to an epileptic seizure. Howard was deeply affected by the loss, and he has since taken on the primary role of raising their son, David. This event brought a moment of serious reflection to Howard’s life, underscoring the real-world consequences of his complex family structure and his commitment to his children.

The ongoing search query for "Dwight Howard's wife" will likely continue to evolve as the athlete moves forward. While his 2025 marriage to Amy Luciani ended swiftly, the public fascination remains rooted in the full, intricate tapestry of his life, which involves multiple women, secret weddings, and a dedicated, albeit complicated, role as a father to five children.