Dirk Nowitzki’s Family, Children, and Friends: Inside His Personal Life

Dirk Nowitzki has often spoken about how important family is to him, once saying that family “has always meant everything.” His relationships with friends and those closest to him have stayed strong through years of international basketball fame, both on and off the court.

Family and Early Life

Dirk Nowitzki was born on June 19, 1978, in Würzburg, Germany. He grew up in a close-knit family with his parents, Jorg and Helen, and his older sister, Silke. His mother was a professional basketball player, while his father played handball.

As a child, Dirk tried many sports, including handball and tennis, before he focused on basketball. His tall stature made him stand out early, but it sometimes led to teasing from other children.

His sister, Silke, was also an athlete and later became his adviser and manager. Their family environment helped foster both children’s interest in sports and provided a support system for Dirk’s career.

Dirk married Jessica Olsson in 2012. They met in 2010 at a charity event for SEED Project in Dallas. Jessica is Swedish-Kenyan and works in art. Their wedding took place in Kenya in a traditional Kikuyu ceremony.

The couple has three children: daughter Malaika, and sons Max and Morris. All three are their biological children. Dirk and Jessica focus on creating a stable home for their children and value spending time together despite busy schedules.

Name	Relation	Birth Year
Jorg Nowitzki	Father	Unknown
Helen Nowitzki	Mother	Unknown
Silke Nowitzki	Sister	1974
Jessica Olsson	Wife	1982
Malaika Nowitzki	Daughter	2013
Max Nowitzki	Son	2015
Morris Nowitzki	Son	2016

Friends in His Life

Dirk built close friendships throughout his basketball career, especially with Dallas Mavericks teammates like Jason Kidd and Steve Nash. Dirk met Jason Kidd when Kidd joined the Mavericks, and they kept in touch even after Kidd’s retirement and move to coaching.

Another close friend, Steve Nash, played with Dirk during the late 1990s and early 2000s in Dallas. Their mutual respect and shared European background helped develop a lasting friendship that continued after Nash left for other teams.

Mark Cuban, Mavericks owner, provided Dirk with strong emotional support. Their friendship combined business and personal trust, growing during the highs and lows of Dirk’s long career. While some friends came and went, these ties lasted beyond basketball.

Name	Known Since	Profession
Jason Kidd	2008	Basketball Coach
Steve Nash	1998	Basketball Coach
Mark Cuban	2000	Entrepreneur