Paul Pierce Says Marriage Doesn’t Benefit Men
Paul Pierce isn’t holding back regarding his views on love, relationships, and marriage.
The NBA legend gave his unfiltered take during a recent episode of his podcast, “The Truth After Dark,” garnering mixed reactions.
“Let me say what marriage is and who marriage is for: Marriage is for old people and poor people,” said the 47-year-old, who finalized his divorce from ex-wife Julie Landrum in 2023.
“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,’” he continued, adding that “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, shared that he has no plans to get into another serious relationship—at least not until he’s in his seventies. “We both old, we ain’t out in the streets,” he said. “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.”
While reflecting on his past relationships, Pierce said he’s been on both sides of infidelity and revealed he once stayed with a woman who cheated.
“All men want at the end of the day is feel appreciated and respected,” he explained. “When you start coming home and respect ain’t there... That’s how all my relationships ended.”
As for marriage, the former baller argued there’s no real benefit for men when things go south. “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 also not interested in an open one. “I don’t want multiple partners,” he said. “I just don’t want to lock no woman down.”
Pierce and Julie were married for 13 years and share three children. In January 2023 he announced their split with a simple tweet, “I’m single what’s up.”
