The Unexpected Truth About Rudy Gobert's 'Ex-Wife': Inside The High-Profile Split With Julia Bonilla

The question of who Rudy Gobert’s "ex-wife" is has been a top search query for months, but the truth is more nuanced than a simple divorce proceeding. As of May 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves star has never been married, making the title of "ex-wife" technically incorrect, but the intense public scrutiny is focused on his recent, high-profile separation from his long-time partner, Julia Bonilla. This French creative is the mother of his first son and is currently expecting their second child, placing their split at the center of the NBA news cycle during the critical playoff season.

The separation, confirmed by Gobert himself on his Instagram Stories in May 2025, has been described as a "painful process" as the former couple navigates redefining their co-parenting relationship for their growing family. This article dives deep into the biography of the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, the details of his relationship with Julia Bonilla, and the current status of their family life.

Rudy Gobert: Full Biography and Career Profile

Rudy Gobert, nicknamed "The Stifle Tower," is one of the most dominant defensive players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). His towering presence and shot-blocking ability have made him a perennial candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award.

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• Full Name: Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel
• Date of Birth: June 26, 1992
• Place of Birth: Saint-Quentin, France
• Nationality: French
• Height: 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
• Weight: 250 lbs (113 kg)
• NBA Draft: 27th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets (immediately traded to the Utah Jazz)
• Current Team: Minnesota Timberwolves (since 2022)
• Position: Center
• Career Highlights and Awards:
  • NBA Defensive Player of the Year (Multiple Wins)
  • NBA All-Star (Multiple Selections)
  • All-NBA Team Selection
  • NBA All-Defensive First Team (Multiple Selections)
  • Olympic Silver Medalist (with the French National Team)
• Family: Son, Romeo Gobert, with former partner Julia Bonilla.
• Notable Career Moment: Was the first NBA player publicly confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 in March 2020, an event that led to the immediate suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season.

The Truth Behind the 'Ex-Wife' Search: Who is Julia Bonilla?

The intense public interest in Rudy Gobert's relationship status stems from the fact that his long-term partner, Julia Bonilla, is the mother of his children and the most significant romantic figure in his recent life. While the term "ex-wife" is frequently searched, the couple was never legally married. Their separation has generated significant media attention due to its timing and the personal circumstances involved.

Julia Bonilla's Profile and Background

Julia Bonilla is a French-based creative professional whose own career is noteworthy. She is much more than just a partner of an NBA star; she has established herself in the creative and media industries in Paris, France.

• Profession: Artistic Director, Agent, Writer, and Podcast Host.
• Location: Paris, France.
• Creative Work: She runs a blog and hosts a podcast titled Journey, which focuses on sharing personal life experiences and insights. Her brand is also sometimes referred to as Julia BNL.
• Relationship Timeline: Gobert first made his relationship with Bonilla public in February 2024 when they announced they were expecting their first child.

The couple welcomed their first son, Romeo Gobert, in 2024, a moment that caused Gobert to miss a playoff game to be present for the birth. The public revelation of their split in May 2025 came as a shock, especially as Bonilla is currently pregnant with their second child. Gobert's statement acknowledged the complexity of the situation, focusing on their commitment to their son, Romeo, and their unborn child.

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The Aftermath: Co-Parenting and Public Statements

The separation has not been without its public drama. While Rudy Gobert’s statement was measured, focusing on the "painful process of redefining our coparenting relationship," Julia Bonilla has shared more emotional, cryptic messages on social media.

The Struggle of Co-Parenting in the Spotlight

Gobert's comments emphasized the need for privacy during this difficult time, particularly as they focus on the well-being of their children. The process of co-parenting a one-year-old son, Romeo, and preparing for the arrival of a new baby while managing the demands of an NBA career adds a layer of complexity to the situation. This separation highlights a common challenge for professional athletes: balancing an intense, high-travel career with a stable family life.

Julia Bonilla's Cryptic Posts and Emotional Fallout

In the wake of the split, Julia Bonilla posted an emotional message to her unborn child, reflecting on themes of betrayal, pain, and resilience. One post, which included a photo of her baby bump, stated, "You'll always have a mother," suggesting a difficult emotional period. These posts have fueled speculation among fans and media outlets about the specifics of the break-up, although neither party has disclosed the exact reasons for the separation.

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The timing of the split, coinciding with the Minnesota Timberwolves' deep run into the NBA playoffs, also put immense pressure on Gobert. He had to manage a significant personal crisis while remaining focused on his team's championship aspirations, a situation that drew considerable media coverage and public discourse about his personal life.

Topical Authority: Rudy Gobert's Relationship History and Privacy

Rudy Gobert has always maintained a relatively private personal life, especially compared to many other high-profile NBA stars. Before his relationship with Julia Bonilla became public, his dating life was rarely a topic of major news. This commitment to privacy is a key reason why the recent split has garnered so much attention—it is a rare look into the personal world of the Defensive Player of the Year.

The search query "Rudy Gobert ex-wife" is a classic example of a misnomer in celebrity gossip, where a significant former partner is often mistakenly elevated to the status of an ex-spouse, especially when children are involved. The relationship with Julia Bonilla was his most public and significant long-term partnership, producing two children and leading to a co-parenting arrangement that will tie them together for the foreseeable future. The focus has now shifted from the split itself to how the two will navigate the challenges of raising their son, Romeo, and their new baby while living separate lives in the public eye.

The story of Rudy Gobert and Julia Bonilla is a current and evolving narrative of modern co-parenting under intense media scrutiny. While there is no "ex-wife" in the legal sense, Julia Bonilla is undoubtedly the "ex-partner" whose life and relationship with Gobert are the subject of the most intense public curiosity in May 2025.