Who is Lenny Wilkens' wife? Relationship explored as 9-time NBA All-Star and championship-winning coach dies at 88

Lenny Wilkens, a Hall of Fame player and coach, passed away at the age of 88 on November 9, 2025. Known for his long NBA career as both a player and coach, he also maintained a strong personal life with his wife, Marilyn Reed. The couple spent over 60 years of their lives together, and they were full of respect for each other, their family, and the community.

Wilkens was not only respected by his court accomplishments, but also was devoted to his family. His marriage to Marilyn was one of the most stable and lasting relationships in sports history. Their relationship expanded with his profession, and they were able to balance between professional sports and family life, and philanthropy.

Lenny Wilkens and Marilyn’s marriage and family life

In 1962, Lenny Wilkens got married to Marilyn Reed. The couple, over the years, had a close-knit family, having three children - Leesha, Randy, and Jamee. Their marriage spanned over 63 years until the death of Wilkens, and they were even termed as lifelong partners who could not be separated, even in their community work.

Lenny Wilkens had a significant role in his family life, which was not connected with basketball. He frequently told of the way Marilyn and the kids brought him down when they were players and coaches. Another thing that the couple enjoyed was spending time with their grandchildren, which helped them establish strong family ties that continued to play an important role in their lives.

Wilkens' family has a long history in Medina, Washington. They participated in local activities and sponsored a number of community projects. Their cohabitation was a compromise between their own happiness and the one that they had with others, which was to contribute to helping people.

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Community involvement and shared legacy

Lenny Wilkens and Marilyn were most engaged in charity work besides basketball. Marilyn helped her husband operate the Lenny Wilkens Foundation for Children, which raised funds to support healthcare and educational programs. They were founded by their group that supported hospitals and youth organizations around the Seattle area.

Marilyn would regularly accompany Lenny to community events, which demonstrated the commitment of the couple to change lives in ways other than sports. Their collaboration went beyond the field where they worked on long-term, creating a positive impact on children and needy families.

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The couple was still active in their community and church even in their later years. They were present in local shows and were patrons to the cause that was close to their hearts. Their contribution remained the one that had made an impression in Seattle, where Wilkens was regarded as the godfather of basketball.

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