“Basketball Wives” star Jackie Christie’s life story inspires all, from her challenging childhood to her thriving career and enduring marriage.
Key Takeaways
- Jackie Christie overcame a tough childhood in foster care to become a successful reality TV star and entrepreneur.
- She’s been married to former NBA player Doug Christie since 1996, renewing their vows annually.
- Christie attributes their strong marriage to communication, respect, and maintaining individual identities.
Tough Childhood Into Hollywood Stardom
Born on July 25, 1969, in Seattle, Washington, to mother Cora, she was raised in a large family of six sisters, three brothers, and a few step-sisters.
The 55-year-old had a tough childhood. At the age of 8, she was put in foster care and had to live with a white family.
To survive, she did whatever she could. Jackie worked in the neighborhood cleaning up people’s yards, babysat, did hair, taught the kids in the city gymnastics, and more!
Eventually, she got into the entertainment business, and in 2011, with the release of “Basketball Wives LA,” her fame grew overnight.
Now, the reality star has her own business and television shows and is a published author.
Christie has acted in films like “Deceitful” (2013), “Angry Insecure Men 2” (2015), “In the Cut” (2016), and “Junkyard” (2021).
In addition, she has served as executive and associate producer in several movies, such as “Lucky Girl” (2015), “Going Black” (2018), and “Professor Mack” (2019).
A Blissful Married Life
Jackie Christie is married to former NBA player and current assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings, Doug Christie.
The couple met at a sports bar through a friend before Doug was drafted out of Pepperdine in 1992.
They married in 1996 and had two children: Chantel Christie and Douglas Christie Jr.
The coach loves his wife, who famously said, “She and family are bigger than basketball.”
Likewise, the love is mutual.
“I’m still in love with him. I still get butterflies when I know I’m about to see my husband. It’s the best thing ever and I just wish that for everybody.”
Jackie Christie
When asked what the secret sauce of their long and happy marriage was, she replied that it was the annual re-commitment.
Yes, you heard it right! They get married on July 8 each year, their anniversary.
“And when we marry, it’s not just a mere renewal of their wedding vows, but an actual wedding — replete with friends, family, cake, and a reception.”
Jackie Christie
Jackie has also mentioned a few other contributors to a healthy relationship:
Communication is key. Respect, as well. You’ve got to respect yourself and your mate. I don’t do anything to him that I wouldn’t want done to me. We are still individuals. You still can live your life. I can hang out with my girlfriends here and there. He hangs out. I don’t party, he doesn’t party, so it’s about finding commonality in the relationship.
Jackie Christie
Moreover, she has traveled on the road with her husband ever since he was a player.
I’m there 80%, 90% of the time with him. We kind of pioneered that whole thing, and I love it because Steph Curry’s wife, everybody, they all go on the road now. When we did it, it was like, ‘Oh, they’re crazy, and she’s jealous,’ and it was never that. It was always fun.
Jackie Christie
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jackie Christie also has another kid; her firstborn, Ta’Kari Lee, was born in 1990 from a previous relationship.
- In 2020, it was revealed that her mother passed away after a battle with cancer.
- Christie has a cognac brand called Bossard Cognac.
