Who Is Dinah Mattingly?
Dinah Mattingly is best known as the wife of NBA legend Larry Bird. While her husband dominated basketball courts throughout the 1980s, Dinah chose a quieter path. She’s a retired physical education teacher who has been married to Bird since 1989, supporting him through his legendary career and beyond.
Unlike many celebrity spouses, Dinah stays away from the spotlight. She rarely attends public events and keeps her personal life private. Her story is one of quiet strength, dedication to family, and a commitment to making a difference through philanthropy.
Early Life and Background
Birth Date: November 16, 1954
Birth Place: Vigo County, Indiana (some sources cite Naples, Florida)
Birth Sign: Scorpio
Age: 70 years old (as of 2024)
Profession: Retired Physical Education Teacher
Height: 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Weight: 137 lbs (62 kg)
Dinah grew up in Indiana with her family, including her brother Doug Mattingly. She had a typical Midwestern upbringing in a small community. Her parents emphasized education and hard work, values that shaped her future career and personal life.
As a child, Dinah was described as shy and introverted but fun-loving. She developed an early interest in sports and physical fitness, which would later guide her professional choices. Details about her parents remain private, as Dinah has always kept family matters away from public attention.
Education
Dinah completed her high school education in Terre Haute, Indiana. She then attended Indiana State University, where she pursued a degree in physical education. This wasn’t just an academic choice. Sports and fitness genuinely interested her, and teaching seemed like a natural fit.
It was at Indiana State University where her life would take an unexpected turn. She met a basketball player named Larry Bird, though their romance wouldn’t bloom until years later.
Career
After graduating from college, Dinah worked as a physical education teacher at North Side High School in French Lick, Indiana. She spent years teaching students about health, fitness, and the importance of staying active.
Her teaching career allowed her to make a direct impact on young people’s lives. Those who knew her professionally describe her as dedicated and caring. She approached teaching with the same quiet determination that would later define her role as a supportive partner to one of basketball’s biggest stars.
When she married Larry in 1989, Dinah stepped back from her teaching career to focus on family life and supporting her husband’s demanding schedule.
Meeting Larry Bird
Dinah first met Larry Bird during their time at Indiana State University in the late 1970s. They became friends, but the timing wasn’t right for romance. Larry was focused on his basketball career and was briefly married to his first wife, Janet Condra, from 1975 to 1976. That marriage lasted less than a year, though it did produce a daughter, Corrie, born in 1977.
After his divorce, Larry reconnected with Dinah in 1986, years after they first met. Their friendship had endured, and this time the connection deepened into romance. They dated for several years before deciding to marry.
Marriage to Larry Bird
Wedding Date: October 31, 1989
Wedding Location: Friend’s home in Terre Haute, Indiana
Years Married: 35+ years (as of 2024)
The wedding was quintessentially low-key. Only five to seven guests attended the intimate ceremony. Both Larry and Dinah wore stonewashed jeans instead of traditional wedding attire. This reflected their preference for simplicity over spectacle.
Larry once called his first marriage at age 19 his “biggest mistake,” saying it scarred him for life. With Dinah, he found something different: stability, understanding, and lasting partnership. The marriage has endured for over three decades, a rarity in the world of celebrity relationships.
Larry has spoken about recurring nightmares from his first marriage, even years into his relationship with Dinah. But through patience and support, Dinah helped him move past those traumas and build a strong family foundation.
Family Life
Dinah became a stepmother to Corrie Bird, Larry’s daughter from his first marriage. Early on, the relationship between Dinah and Corrie was reportedly strained due to miscommunication and limited contact. However, Dinah played a key role in helping Larry rebuild his relationship with his daughter over the years.
Children
Dinah and Larry have two adopted children:
- Mariah Bird: Adopted around 1991, she attended Indiana University where she studied Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management. She now works as an event planner for the Indiana Pacers Sports and Entertainment.
- Connor Bird: Adopted around 1992, Connor made headlines in February 2013 when he was arrested at Indiana University on attempted murder charges. He was later released due to lack of evidence. The incident was difficult for the family, who have largely kept Connor’s life private since then.
Despite the challenges, Dinah remained committed to her family. She prioritized creating a stable home environment, even when that meant staying completely out of the public eye.
Life in the Spotlight
While Larry Bird’s career brought enormous fame, Dinah handled it with grace. She attended some of his games during his playing days with the Boston Celtics, including his retirement ceremony at Boston Garden on February 4, 1993. But she never sought attention for herself.
When Larry transitioned to coaching the Indiana Pacers in 1997, then later became president of basketball operations in 2013, Dinah continued supporting him from behind the scenes. She appeared with him at the 2019 NBA Awards when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award, one of her rare public appearances.
Philanthropy and Giving Back
Both Dinah and Larry are deeply committed to charitable work, though they prefer keeping their efforts private. Larry once said, “All of my donations are sort of made under the table. I don’t need the publicity. I’m not doing it for the publicity. But I do care.”
The couple has worked extensively with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America through their “Link Up With a Legend” program. This initiative creates safe spaces and opportunities for young people across the country.
They’ve also supported health-related causes, particularly cancer research and treatment. These efforts stem from personal family experiences with illness. The couple doesn’t seek recognition for their work, believing the impact matters more than the headlines.
Current Life
Dinah and Larry reside in a luxurious home in Naples, Florida. The property spans over 6,000 square feet and includes four bedrooms, six bathrooms, an infinity pool, a movie theater, and a boat dock. It’s a far cry from their humble Indiana roots, but the couple remains grounded.
When not involved in charitable work, Larry enjoys fishing and golf. Dinah prefers spending time with family and maintaining their private lifestyle. Neither is active on social media, and they rarely give interviews.
Before Fame
Before becoming known as Larry Bird’s wife, Dinah lived a simple life in Indiana. She worked hard in school, helped in her community, and pursued her passion for teaching. She enjoyed reading, spending time with friends, and exploring her neighborhood.
Her modest upbringing taught her the value of kindness and helping others. These principles guided her throughout her adult life, both in her teaching career and her philanthropic efforts.
Interesting Facts
- Dinah is two years older than Larry Bird (he was born December 7, 1956)
- She shares a last name with former MLB player Don Mattingly but they’re not related
- The couple’s wedding was so private that fewer than ten people attended
- Dinah attended Indiana State University during Larry’s playing years there, when he led the Sycamores to the 1979 NCAA Championship game
- She has successfully maintained her privacy for over 35 years despite being married to one of basketball’s biggest legends
Associated With
Through her marriage to Larry Bird, Dinah became connected to NBA history. Larry played alongside and against legends like Magic Johnson, with whom he shared one of sports’ greatest rivalries. The rivalry began in the 1979 NCAA Championship game and continued throughout their professional careers.
Larry won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics (1981, 1984, 1986) and earned three consecutive MVP awards (1984-1986). He was named NBA Finals MVP twice and selected to 12 All-Star teams. After retirement, he successfully transitioned to coaching and front-office work.
Despite all this fame, Dinah remained focused on what mattered most to her: family, education, and quiet service to others.
Life Away From Basketball
Dinah Mattingly’s story reminds us that not everyone married to a celebrity wants fame. She chose teaching over endorsements, privacy over publicity, and family over red carpets.
Her influence on Larry’s life cannot be overstated. After a painful first marriage, she gave him stability and support. She helped him maintain relationships with all his children. And she stood beside him through career highs and personal challenges.
Today, at 70 years old, Dinah continues living life on her own terms. She’s proof that you can be married to a legend without becoming one yourself. Sometimes the greatest impact comes from those who work quietly behind the scenes.
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This article provides factual information based on publicly available sources about Dinah Mattingly’s life, career, and relationship with Larry Bird.