Who was Paul Pierce married to? All about former NBA star’s family amid DUI arrest

Paul Pierce stayed in the spotlight because of basketball. However, his personal life is currently the focus of the media.

Paul Pierce had been married to Julie Landrum, an interior designer and philanthropist from St. Louis, Missouri. The two were together for more than a decade before finalizing their divorce in 2023.

Recently, Paul Pierce's name appeared again in news reports, this time for less celebratory reasons. Authorities in Los Angeles said they found him asleep in his car and later arrested him for alleged DUI. It was an unexpected turn for someone who’d already lived through a fair share of public moments, some triumphant, others more complicated.

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Paul Pierce arrested on suspicion of DUI after being found asleep in car

Paul Pierce was arrested late Tuesday night after police said they found him asleep behind the wheel of a Range Rover on U.S. Highway 101, according to a report from The Associated Press. It was close to 10:40 p.m. when California Highway Patrol officers first arrived at the scene of a separate, multi-vehicle crash on the northbound lanes of the freeway. Four lanes were shut down while they worked to clear debris and take statements.

An hour later, when traffic began moving again, officers noticed a black SUV sitting motionless a short distance from the original scene of the crash. Inside, they found Pierce, 47, resting in the driver’s seat. A CHP statement said troopers “noticed signs of alcohol impairment” and began a roadside investigation.

He was taken into custody on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, the agency said. The case will be reviewed by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. As of early Wednesday, officials had not released Pierce’s blood-alcohol level, and there was no immediate comment from his representatives.

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A look back at Paul Pierce’s life with Julie Pierce and their children

Paul Pierce’s life off the court had often been quieter than his NBA career; he was in a long-term relationship with Julie Landrum (Pierce). Julie earned a degree in fashion buying and merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology and then studied interior design at the New York School of Interior Design. In 2009, she founded her own interior design business, which has worked on homes across the U.S. and Canada. She has been recognized as an Elle Décor A-List Designer.

Paul and Julie began dating in 2005, while he was playing for the Boston Celtics. They met after the NBA All-Star Weekend, and Pierce later told Boston.com:

“She’s an amazing woman. We get along so well because we were such good friends. We started dating after the All-Star weekend in Houston three years ago. The next thing I know we’re living together. Man, we clicked, we bonded,” he explained.

In 2008, the couple welcomed their first child, Prianna Lee Pierce, born on April 4. Pierce explained how they chose her name:

“I just thought of it. Thought it sounded nice, thought it fit her. My fiancée liked it, so we went with it. We had three names: Piper, Prianna, one was like Priscilla. Something with a P. She was stuck on Piper until I told her Prianna.”

Their second child, Adrian Tanya Pierce, was born in 2011. Their third, Prince Paul Pierce, arrived on April 2, 2013. About his son, Pierce joked:

“In the next 18 years, world, Celtics fans, look out.”

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Paul Pierce shares his unfiltered thoughts on marriage and divorce:

Paul Pierce wasn't shy about sharing his views on love, relationships, and marriage. During a recent episode of his podcast, "The Truth After Dark," he offered an unfiltered take that has sparked conversation.

“Let me say what marriage is and who marriage is for: Marriage is for old people and poor people,” Pierce shared.

He went on to explain his perspective on why previous generations married:

“Our parents, like my moms and all them, they married on a merit of like, ‘Okay, we gonna put our incomes together... have all these kids,’” Pierce said. “Back in the '60s... they going to have 5-10 kids so they can work and bring in income.”

Pierce, who co-hosts the podcast with Azar Farideh, admitted he has no plans for another serious relationship anytime soon.

“We both old, we ain’t out in the streets. We at home watching TV. You go take me to the hospital, I’mma take you to the hospital. But right now? I’m too cracking right now.”

Reflecting on his past, Pierce said he’s experienced infidelity on both sides of a relationship.

“All men want at the end of the day is feel appreciated and respected. When you start coming home and respect ain’t there... That’s how all my relationships ended.”

When discussing marriage more broadly, Pierce argued that it rarely benefits men when relationships go wrong:

“What does it do for a man?... Like we going to have to give up half our this, pay child support. It’s only advantageous to a woman.”

Despite dismissing traditional relationships, Pierce clarified he’s not interested in multiple partners or an open relationship.

“I don’t want multiple partners. I just don’t want to lock no woman down.”

The former forward, who spent 15 seasons in Boston and earned the nickname “The Truth,” has largely stayed out of the public eye since his retirement from the NBA. Tuesday’s arrest, however, drew quick attention.