Few athletes on the planet are as famous as Shohei Ohtani, but the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is famously private. His wife, Mamiko Tanaka, is certainly no exception, but Mrs. Ohtani has certainly paved a unique path for herself.
From professional basketball player to mother, Mamiko has done a lot in her life already.
Here are five facts about Shohei Ohtani’s wife, Mamiko Tanaka.
1. Mamiko Tanaka Had Great Athletic Career Herself as Basketball Player
Ohtani is not the only athlete in the family. In fact, not only does Tanaka have her own Wikipedia page, but the first line of her entry highlights her past as a professional basketball player in Japan. Tanaka played four seasons for the Fujitsu Red Wave in the Women’s Japan Basketball League. The 5-foot-11 Tanaka was a front-court asset for the Red Wave, who earned two All-Star Game selections.
Additionally, she also played on a handful of international teams, winning a silver and gold medal in FIBA play. She retired from professional basketball following the 2022-23 season.
When the Dodgers social media team asked players who their favorite female athlete was, Ohtani offered a perfect response: “My wife.”
2. She Comes From an Athletic Family
Mamiko isn’t the only athlete in the Tanaka family. Her brother, Shinichi, played rugby at a high level in Japan. He played the 2023-24 season with Black Rams Tokyo of the Japan Rugby Football Union, and he also played a season with the Yokohama Canon Eagles.
3. Their Marriage Was a Big Secret Revealed by Ohtani
Ohtani doesn’t offer much about his personal life, so it wasn’t overly surprising when he revealed, seemingly out of the blue in 2024, that he and Tanaka were married.
“Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers, but I also have began a new a life from someone from my native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know that I am now married.”
That announcement came just two months after Ohtani signed a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers.
4. She Fits Right In Alongside Other Dodgers Wives, Girlfriends
Tanaka and Ohtani might be private, but she’s also no stranger at Dodger Stadium, where she is often seen with other wives and girlfriends of Ohtani’s teammates and coaches. She’s been spotted plenty of times in photos posted to the “official Instagram account” for the Dodgers’ significant others.
She’s also featured some impressive custom-made attire showcasing her husband. Cameras caught Tanaka showing Ohtani — and their dog Decoy — her custom-made jacket as the two celerbated on the field after LA won the division in 2024.
Tanaka also walked the red carpet with Ohtani at the All-Star Game this summer.
5. Ohtani and Tanaka Have One Child, a Daughter
The Ohtanis welcomed their first child, a daughter to the world, with an announcement from Shohei on April 19, 2025. Unsurprisingly, Ohtani gave his wife all the credit.
“I am so grateful to my loving wife who gave birth to our healthy, beautiful daughter,” he wrote in an Instagram post announcing the birth. “To my daughter, thank you for making us very nervous yet super anxious parents.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and his wife provided the best gift to the new parents.
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