Introduction
Diana Taurasi’s wife is Penny Taylor, an Australian former professional basketball player and coach born on May 24, 1981, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Diana Taurasi is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in WNBA history, spending her entire 20-year career with the Phoenix Mercury and winning six Olympic gold medals with Team USA before announcing her retirement in early 2025. Many fans searching for “Diana Taurasi wife” want to know more about the woman who has stood beside her both on and off the court. This article covers everything about Penny Taylor — her background, basketball career, how she and Taurasi fell in love, their wedding, their two children, and her life today.
Who Is Penny Taylor?
Penny Taylor was born on May 24, 1981, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She grew up in a basketball-loving family and attended Upwey High School before earning a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), a well-known training ground for elite Australian athletes. It was at the AIS that Taylor sharpened her skills and began playing in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), Australia’s top domestic league.
Taylor’s talent stood out early. She quickly became one of the most versatile forwards in Australian basketball, known for her scoring ability, court vision, and toughness. Her success in the WNBL opened the door to international competition, and she went on to represent Australia on the world stage, including at multiple Olympic Games. Before her name became linked to Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor had already built a respected career of her own in women’s basketball, both in Australia and internationally.
Her parents, Denna Noble and Michael Taylor, supported her basketball journey from a young age, and Melbourne remains closely tied to her identity as a proud Australian athlete.
Penny Taylor’s Career & Professional Life
Penny Taylor’s professional career spanned nearly two decades. After rising through the WNBL, she was drafted into the WNBA, where she eventually joined the Phoenix Mercury — the same team that drafted Diana Taurasi with the No. 1 overall pick in 2004. Taurasi and Taylor were teammates with the Mercury for parts of 10 seasons.
Together, they helped the Mercury capture three WNBA championships, in 2007, 2009, and 2014. Taylor also represented Australia at the Olympics, winning Olympic silver medals with the national team during her international career. Her combination of scoring, passing, and leadership made her a standout on both the domestic and global stage.
Taylor retired as a player after the 2016 WNBA season. She didn’t step away from basketball for long, though. In early 2017, she transitioned into coaching, joining the Phoenix Mercury as director of player development and performance — a role that let her stay close to the game and the team she loved. She later stepped back from coaching duties for a period to focus on her growing family with Taurasi.
Penny Taylor’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed, though her long professional basketball and coaching career has made her a respected and financially independent figure in women’s basketball circles.
How Did Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor Meet?
Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor’s story goes all the way back to 2004, when both were drafted by the Phoenix Mercury and met as rookies during training camp. At the time, neither imagined their relationship would eventually become romantic — they were simply teammates working toward the same goal.
For years, the two competed and won together, even facing off against each other on opposing Olympic teams (Taurasi for the United States, Taylor for Australia) in 2004 and 2008. During this period, both women were involved in other relationships. Penny Taylor was previously married to Rodrigo Rodrigues Gil, a Brazilian volleyball player, from 2005 to 2008.
According to multiple reports, Taurasi and Taylor’s relationship shifted from friendship to romance around 2010, after years of being teammates and friends. They kept the relationship largely private in its early years, choosing not to make it public knowledge while they were still playing together. Taurasi later explained that she and Taylor had kept their relationship private because they “didn’t want that to be an issue ever.
Their bond deepened after Taylor retired from playing in 2016, and the couple got engaged not long after.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor got married on May 13, 2017, in Phoenix, Arizona — the city where their relationship began and where both had built their basketball legacies. The wedding was an intimate, private ceremony surrounded by close family and friends.
For the event, Taurasi wore a white suit, while Taylor wore a strapless white gown. Taurasi later described it as “the most amazing and beautiful day of our lives,” adding that sharing their love with family and close friends meant the world to them.
The wedding took place just one day before the Phoenix Mercury’s 2017 season opener, meaning both women were back to basketball business almost immediately after saying “I do.” Their marriage made headlines across the sports world, celebrated as a milestone moment for LGBTQ+ visibility in professional women’s sports.
Children & Family Life
Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor are proud parents of two children. Their son, Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor, was born on March 1, 2018, just under a year after the couple’s wedding. Penny carried Leo, making her a first-time mother despite her earlier marriage.
Three years later, the couple welcomed their daughter, Isla Taurasi-Taylor, on October 9, 2021. Isla’s arrival came during a dramatic moment — Penny went into labor while Diana was playing in Game 5 of the Mercury’s semifinal series, and Taurasi rushed to be by her wife’s side right after the game ended.
Despite their public profiles, Taurasi and Taylor have kept much of their day-to-day family life private. In interviews, Taurasi has spoken warmly about Taylor’s parenting, and since retiring from basketball in 2025, Taurasi has said she’s especially grateful for the chance to spend more time at home with Leo and Isla, taking them to school and being present in a way her playing career didn’t always allow.
Penny Taylor on Social Media
Penny Taylor keeps a relatively low profile on social media compared to many athletes and public figures. She isn’t known for frequent posting and tends to stay out of the spotlight, letting Taurasi’s public persona take the lead. When she does appear online, it’s typically in photos shared by Taurasi or the Phoenix Mercury, often showing the couple at team events, WNBA All-Star weekends, or family moments. Fans who want glimpses of the couple’s life together usually find them through Diana Taurasi’s own social media accounts rather than Taylor’s.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Penny Taylor |
| Date of Birth | May 24, 1981 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Former professional basketball player, coach |
| Married to | Diana Taurasi |
| Marriage Year | 2017 (May 13, 2017) |
| Children | Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor (b. 2018), Isla Taurasi-Taylor (b. 2021) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
FAQ Section
Q: What is Diana Taurasi’s wife’s name?
A: Diana Taurasi’s wife is Penny Taylor, an Australian former professional basketball player. She and Taurasi married in May 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Q: How old is Penny Taylor?
A: Penny Taylor was born on May 24, 1981, in Melbourne, Australia, making her in her mid-40s as of 2026.
Q: What does Penny Taylor do for a living?
A: Penny Taylor is a retired professional basketball player who now works in coaching and player development for the Phoenix Mercury organization.
Q: When did Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor get married?
A: The couple got married on May 13, 2017, in an intimate ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by family and close friends.
Q: How many kids do Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor have?
A: Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor have two children together: son Leo, born in 2018, and daughter Isla, born in 2021.
Conclusion
Penny Taylor is far more than just “Diana Taurasi’s wife” — she’s an accomplished athlete, coach, and mother in her own right, with a basketball career that rivals many of the greats. From meeting as Phoenix Mercury rookies in 2004 to building a family together in Arizona, Taurasi and Taylor’s relationship reflects two decades of shared history, championships, and love. As Diana Taurasi settles into life after retirement, her wife Penny Taylor remains a steady, supportive presence — proof that this WNBA power couple’s story is still being written together.
