Who is Kay’la Hanson? A Closer Look at Damian Lillard's Ex-Wife and Her Journey

By Edcel Panganiban August 17, 2024 09:18

Photo by Instagram/damianlillard

In the world of celebrity relationships, the focus tends often to skew towards the more famous half. However, every so often, the spotlight shines on a partner who, despite the high-profile association, carves out their own path. Kay'la Hanson, once known primarily as Damian Lillard's wife, has emerged as a figure of resilience, entrepreneurship, and dedication. This article takes a deep dive into her childhood, education, and relationship with Lillard to give you a better perspective on where she came from.

Early Life and Upbringing

Kay'la Hanson was born on November 8, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was raised by a white mother and an African-American father in a mixed-ethnicity household, which has informed her non-conformist approach to matters of life and culture. Born in Alaska and raised mostly in Colorado, Kay'la graduated from Legacy High School class of 2010, clear evidence that this girl had been grinding through school on her way to turning into a young woman so dead-set and hellbent.

After high school, she attended Weber State University in Utah, where she crossed paths with Damian Lillard and considered the rest of history. While studying, Kay'la dedicated herself to the field of nursing, which mirrors her compassionate character and unwavering dedication to being a bright light helping others. After graduating, she entered healthcare for six years. It was quite a useful experience and knowledge of what kind.

Relationship with Damian Lillard

How They Met

Kay'la and Damian fell in love during their college years at Weber State University. It was like they were dating while juggling college and competition simultaneously. Despite those demands, Lillard remained close with Kay'la in 2012 after he was drafted into the NBA.

Relationship Timeline

2010: Kay'la and Damian meet at Weber State University.
2018: The couple had their first child together, Damian Jr., and they became a family
2019: One year later, on the 2020 NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago, Lillard proposed to Kay'la, surrounded by their families and a romantic setting with roses.
September 5, 2021: The couple got married in a star-studded Montecito, Calif. wedding.

Although the pair share a close bond and have been through so much together, they hit some road bumps that ultimately led to their split. Lillard filed for divorce from her on October 2, 2023, due to "irreconcilable differences having arisen which have created an irremediable breakdown of the marriage" and listed the date of separation as October 1. This choice shortly followed Lillard being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks, a sign that his professional career could be intruding on their relationship.

Current Life and Activities

After breaking up with Lillard, Kay'la has been dedicating her time to her career and bettering herself. She is the owner of DIPPED, a cosmetics-focused nail business in Lake Oswego, Ore. The business shows her entrepreneurial side and creativity. It's a way for her to express herself and offer something people want.

Kay'la is also studying to become a Nurse and is currently working on her doctorate. She is a hard worker, and she graduated. With a nursing background and current studies, she is very passionate about healthcare delivery models and strives to make an impact in her local community.

Her Relationship with Damian Lillard

As the wife of former NBA player, she got a lot of good exposure and used that to build her brand/business. At the same time, these challenges shed light on difficulties encountered by a couple who have a love affair in public.

While Kay'la has no doubt that the divorce marks a change in her life, it also allows her to redefine herself outside of marriage. She is still all about her children and will soon move on with her career, which proves to be a sign of human strength in some way to handle personal issues.

Kay'la Hanson is not just the ex-wife of an NBA star; she is also an outstanding mother and successful entrepreneur who takes her personal and professional life very seriously. Her story is one of persistence, ambition, and a true devotion to her family and community. With each new chapter of her life, Kay'la's story continues to resonate with others and demonstrate that self-identity is fundamental while constantly beating the odds.