Is Michelle Wie West married? Golfer slams Rudy Giuliani for 'panties' jibe, says discuss game skills instead
Golfer Michelle Wie West recently slammed back former Trump legal aide Rudy Giuliani's unsavory 'panties' jabs after she won a game. But this shouldn't come as a surprise because Wie West has always been very vocal about the light women are seen in, and the respect they are shown when playing a male-dominated field.
The gifted athlete stuck to her background when she married Jonnie West, the director of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors. And although she was considering retiring ahead of her pregnancy, when she finally became a mother, she decided to stay in the game and be an inspiration to her little girl.
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Who is Michelle Wie West's husband Jonnie?
Previously a Wie, the golfer changed her last name to Wie-West after marrying Jonnie West, son of NBA legend Jerry West, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1960 to 1974. Before the Golden State Warrior's executive rose to his dazzling position, he was the Associate General Manager at the Santa Cruz Warriors. The West Virginia University graduate has a bachelor's degree in sport management and an MBA in business administration.
When did Michelle Wie and Jonnie West get married?
While it's unsure when the two met, in March 2019 Wie West announced she is engaged to the man she currently calls husband. They married in a private Beverly Hills home in California in August 2019. “She was so happy, and she looked so radiant,” Wie West's longtime coach David Leadbetter told Golf Channel. “It’s a great new chapter in her life.”
The wedding saw the likes of Golden State superstar Steph Curry and LPGA pros Danielle Kang and Jessica Korda, among the guests. "Mr. & Mrs. West ♥️ congratulations to the beautiful couple and what a fairytale of a wedding.." Kang wrote in an Instagram caption at the time, adding: "Wishing @themichellewie & @jonniewest4 a lifetime of love and happiness ♥️ #WieGoesWest"
Michelle Wie and Jonnie West's baby
The couple welcomed their first child, daughter named Makenna Kamalei Yoona West, on June 19, 2020. Wie West, who grew up in Hawaii, stuck to her heritage with the middle name Kamalei, the Hawaiian for 'beloved child'. At the time of their daughter's birth, Wie West shared on Instagram: "Kenna baby, I have waited my entire life to meet you. Makenna Kamalei Yoona West, your daddy and I love you more than any words can describe. You are our entire [world], we can’t wait to watch you grow."
Why did Michelle Wie West slam Rudy Giuliani?
During an appearance on Steve Bannon's podcast 'War Room', while reminiscing the late Rush Limbaugh, Giuliani recounted a game they went to seven years ago with Wie West. He remembered how the paparazzi were 'driving us crazy', following Wie West who "bends all the way over and her panties show" as she puts. But Wie West, who's always been vocal about respect for women in male-dominated fields, hit back Giuliani's remarks tweeting: "It's unsettling to hear of this highly inappropriate story shared on a podcast by a public figure referencing my 'panties' whilst playing in a charity pro-am."
She added: "What this person should have remembered from that day was the fact that I shot 64 and beat every male golfer in the field leading our team to victory. I shudder thinking that he was smiling to my face and complimenting me on my game while objectifying me and referencing my 'panties' behind my back all day. What should be discussed is the elite skill level women play at, not what we wear or look like. My putting stance six years ago was designed to improve my stats (I ended up winning the US Open that year), NOT an invitation to look up my skirt! Nike makes skirts with SHORTS built in underneath for this exact reason ... so that women can feel CONFIDENT and COMFORTABLE playing a game that we love."
The 31-year-old Wie West is the 2014 US Open winner, and also a five-time winner of the LPGA. News of her pregnancy arrived after a chunky absence from 2019's LPGA season where she focused on her health. Back in May 2020, Wie West opened up about what stopped her from returning. "Before I was even pregnant, I thought my career would come to an end when I had kids, and I was fine with that," Michelle said, adding: "Then I found out I was having a girl, and my perspective changed. ... Now, I definitely want to play for her. I want to create a future for her while she sees me being a strong woman and an athlete and being someone that is pursuing her dreams."