Luka Dončić and Anamaria Goltes’ Love Story: From Childhood Friends to Family Life
When you think of NBA superstars, you often picture the bright lights, the roaring crowds, and the incredible athletic achievements.
But behind Luka Dončić’s rise to basketball stardom lies a beautiful love story that began long before he ever set foot on an NBA court.
His relationship with Anamaria Goltes is a testament to the power of childhood friendship blossoming into lasting love.
Luka Dončić and Anamaria Goltes’ Love Story
If you want to follow more updates beyond Luka Dončić’s personal life, check out the latest Sports News
Who is Anamaria Goltes?
Anamaria Goltes was born on May 1, 1998, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, making her a fellow Slovenian just like her NBA superstar fiancé.
Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, Anamaria has carved out her own successful career as a model, entrepreneur, and social media influencer.
She went to the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, where she studied economics and business, proving she’s not just a pretty face but also academically accomplished.
She has built a substantial online following by sharing content related to fashion, lifestyle, and fitness.
Quick Facts Comparison:
| Luka Dončić | Anamaria Goltes |
|---|---|
| Born: February 28, 1999 | Born: May 1, 1998 |
| Age: 26 | Age: 27 |
| Profession: NBA Player | Profession: Model/Influencer |
| Height: 6’6″ | Height: 5’10” |
| Nationality: Slovenian | Nationality: Slovenian |
Anamaria has been an ambassador for Lisca Lingerie and appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan Slovenia.
Her professional endeavors include modeling for various brands (including campaigns for Slovenian jeweler Zlatarna Celje) and managing her own business ventures.
How Luka Dončić and Anamaria Goltes Met?
Their love story reads like something out of a fairy tale, beginning with a chance meeting during childhood.
Goltes revealed in 2020 that she and Dončić met when they were 12 years old, which would be around 2010.
In a 2020 Instagram Q&A that fans still talk about today, Anamaria explained: “I answered this question like a million times. We met when we were 12 years old at the seaside in Croatia”.
The fact that they’ve maintained the same group of friends from that time speaks volumes about their authentic connection and grounded nature.
What makes their story even more remarkable is that they kept in touch despite the distance, with Luka playing basketball in Spain while Anamaria studied at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.
Their Relationship Timeline
Here’s how their beautiful journey unfolded:
- 2010: First meeting as 12-year-olds at the seaside in Croatia
- 2016: Despite Dončić playing in Spain and Goltes studying at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, the two began dating in 2016
- 2018: After the two took a brief break from their relationship, they reunited around NBA Draft time in 2018 when Luka was drafted to the NBA
- 2018-2019: Luka wins NBA Rookie of the Year; Anamaria supports him throughout his adjustment to American basketball
- 2020: Luka becomes an NBA All-Star for the first time
- 2023: Dončić proposed on July 7 (i.e., 7/7), causing fans to speculate whether he chose that date to intentionally match his jersey number
- December 2023: Dončić and Goltes announced the arrival of their first child, Gabriela, in an Instagram post on December 1
- 2024: Luka leads Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals
Engagement at Lake Bled: A Fairytale Moment
The event occurred in Slovenia on Lake Bled in front of the Church of the Mother of God.
The couple was surrounded by different types of beautiful white flowers. Goltes adorned a hot pink puffy mini dress.
She accessorized with big hoops and a gold bracelet. Doncic kept his look simple but classic, wearing a white long-sleeve button-up and navy trousers.
The timing of their engagement was absolutely perfect – and very intentional.
Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic proposed on Friday, which marks their anniversary, but the date also had another significant meaning. Doncic’s number is 77, and the date of the proposal was 7/7.
The two announced their engagement in a joint Instagram post showing Dončić on one knee, placing a ring on Goltes’ finger.
The simple caption read “7.7.” with a ring emoji and heart emoji, letting the beautiful image speak for itself.
Becoming Parents: Welcoming Gabriela
In December 2023, the couple announced they welcomed their first child, daughter Gabriela, together when they shared a picture of themselves holding their little girl’s hands.
The announcement was met with overwhelming support from the basketball community. NBA legends like LeBron James, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol congratulated them in the comments.
In the comments, Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, wrote, “Congrats my man!”
Luka’s love for his daughter is evident everywhere he goes. His Instagram bio now simply reads “#77 Gabriela 💕”, showing how fatherhood has become his most important role.
Life in the Spotlight: Balancing Fame and Family
What sets Luka and Anamaria apart from many celebrity couples is their approach to privacy and authenticity.
Despite Dončić’s prominence in the NBA and Goltes’ status as a public figure, the couple seems to maintain a balance between their public and private lives.
They share select moments with their followers on social media, including engagement and family milestones, but largely keep their personal lives out of the public eye.
This selective sharing strategy allows them to maintain some normalcy while still connecting with fans who are invested in their journey.
It’s this approach that likely allows the couple to enjoy their relationship and family life away from the constant attention that comes with fame.
Interestingly, when appearing on “Headliners with Rachel Nichols” in 2023, Doncic talked about how Anamaria provides balance in his life: “When I get to home, it’s no basketball talk.
She doesn’t like basketball, but she goes to every game. I mean, she likes it now, but she didn’t like it, which is good for me. I really like that”.
Anamaria’s Career Beyond Luka
While many people know Anamaria primarily as “Luka’s fiancée,” she’s built an impressive career in her own right.
Goltes, who stands five feet ten inches tall, was a dancer in her youth and competed professionally for over a decade.
She is signed with Immortal Model Management in Slovenia and has worked with several high-profile brands.
Goltes made her modeling debut in 2017 with a lingerie company and has since expanded her portfolio significantly.
Her social media presence reflects her diverse interests. As explained on her website: “I fell in love with movement and being active at a very young age.
Growing up, I always enjoyed going to the gym and working out, and now I love motivating people to put their health first and teach them that working out can be fun too”.
The couple’s life in Dallas includes their beloved pets. They have three dogs as part of their family as well, which they adopted during the pandemic: a Pomeranian, Hugo, a White Swiss Shepherd, Gia, and a big mixed-breed, Viki.
What Fans Love About Their Story?
Basketball fans and romantic hearts alike are drawn to Luka and Anamaria’s story for several compelling reasons:
- Authenticity: Their relationship predates Luka’s fame, which means it’s built on a genuine connection rather than celebrity status. As Anamaria beautifully put it on Instagram: “People have a best friend, boyfriend, true love. I’m lucky they are all the same person”.
- Shared Roots: Both being from Slovenia, they understand each other’s background and culture in a way that helps them stay grounded despite living in the spotlight.
- Growing Together: They’ve literally grown up together, supporting each other through teenage years, career changes, and major life transitions. Anamaria admitted that it was difficult for her to adjust to life in Dallas and the United States, especially making friends, given that they still have the same circle of Slovenian besties from when they were kids. “You keep the real ones, am I right?,” she has said.
- Mutual Support: While Luka dominates on the basketball court, Anamaria has built her own successful career, showing they support each other’s individual dreams.
Many fans consider them one of the NBA’s most genuine power couples, especially compared to some of the more dramatic celebrity relationships we often see in sports.
Who’s your favorite NBA couple? Drop a comment and let us know which basketball love story captures your heart the most!
Conclusion: A Love Story Still Growing
As Luka Dončić continues to chase his first NBA championship and cement his legacy as one of basketball’s greatest players, his partnership with Anamaria Goltes remains a constant source of strength and stability.
Their journey from childhood friends meeting at a Croatian seaside to engaged parents living their dreams is a reminder that some love stories really do have fairy tale endings.
What makes their relationship so special isn’t just the romantic moments or Instagram-worthy photos – it’s the genuine friendship and respect that form the foundation of everything they’ve built together.
As they navigate parenthood, career demands, and life in the public eye, Luka and Anamaria continue to prove that true love can flourish even under the brightest spotlights.
Their story is still being written, with many chapters yet to come.
Whether it’s more NBA championships, expanding their family, or new business ventures, one thing is certain: they’ll face whatever comes next as a team, just like they have since they were twelve years old on that beach in Croatia.
For the latest updates on your favorite sports couples and athlete stories, make sure to follow reliable Sports News to stay connected with all the developments in the world of professional sports.
