Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade’s Family Album: Birthday Parties, Pride Parades and More

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade's Family Album: Birthday Parties, Pride Parades and More

A blended family at its finest! Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade love spending time with their big brood. Prior to the couple’s 2014 wedding in Miami, the former NBA player welcomed son Zaire and daughter Zaya with his then-wife, Siohvaugn Funches, in 2002 and 2007, respectively, followed by son Xavier with Aja Metoyer in 2013. The retired athlete and Union had a tough time conceiving themselves and the actress opened up about the “eight or nine miscarriages” she suffered in her 2017 memoir. “For three years, my body has been a prisoner of trying to get pregnant — I’ve either been about to go into an IVF cycle, in the middle of an IVF cycle, or coming out of an IVF cycle,” the L.A.’s Finest star wrote in We’re Going to Need More Wine. “Once a month I look like I’m in my second trimester because I’m bloated. It leads to the questions and it leads to the rumors and anytime I go into a doctor’s office I feel like I’m a member of SEAL Team Six undercover because I don’t want people to speculate.” [jwplayer i9hpGMfX-zhNYySv2] She and the Chicago native welcomed their first child together in November 2018 via gestational carrier. Three months later, the Nebraska native described the one quality she and Wade looked for when choosing their daughter Kaavia’s surrogate. “Some people care about the race, religion, or food habits of their surrogate. I was like, ‘I want a reader,’” Union told Women’s Health in February 2019. While the former America's Got Talent judge told the outlet she is glad she didn’t have a baby until later in life, Union has been a devoted stepmom to Wade’s kids for years. When the A Father First author was unable to attend the Miami Pride Parade in April 2019, Union brought Zaya and her siblings. When the preteen came out to her parents as transgender — and Wade shared the news with Ellen DeGeneres in February 2020 — Union introduced her Instagram followers to Zaya, writing, “She's compassionate, loving, whip-smart and we are so proud of her. It’s Ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people.” Keep scrolling to see her and Wade’s best moments with their brood, from birthday bashes to family vacations.

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade's Family Album: Birthday Parties, Pride Parades and More

A blended family at its finest! Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade love spending time with their big brood. Prior to the couple’s 2014 wedding in Miami, the former NBA player welcomed son Zaire and daughter Zaya with his then-wife, Siohvaugn Funches, in 2002 and 2007, respectively, followed by son Xavier with Aja Metoyer in 2013. The retired athlete and Union had a tough time conceiving themselves and the actress opened up about the “eight or nine miscarriages” she suffered in her 2017 memoir. “For three years, my body has been a prisoner of trying to get pregnant — I’ve either been about to go into an IVF cycle, in the middle of an IVF cycle, or coming out of an IVF cycle,” the L.A.’s Finest star wrote in We’re Going to Need More Wine. “Once a month I look like I’m in my second trimester because I’m bloated. It leads to the questions and it leads to the rumors and anytime I go into a doctor’s office I feel like I’m a member of SEAL Team Six undercover because I don’t want people to speculate.” [jwplayer i9hpGMfX-zhNYySv2] She and the Chicago native welcomed their first child together in November 2018 via gestational carrier. Three months later, the Nebraska native described the one quality she and Wade looked for when choosing their daughter Kaavia’s surrogate. “Some people care about the race, religion, or food habits of their surrogate. I was like, ‘I want a reader,’” Union told Women’s Health in February 2019. While the former America's Got Talent judge told the outlet she is glad she didn’t have a baby until later in life, Union has been a devoted stepmom to Wade’s kids for years. When the A Father First author was unable to attend the Miami Pride Parade in April 2019, Union brought Zaya and her siblings. When the preteen came out to her parents as transgender — and Wade shared the news with Ellen DeGeneres in February 2020 — Union introduced her Instagram followers to Zaya, writing, “She's compassionate, loving, whip-smart and we are so proud of her. It’s Ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people.” Keep scrolling to see her and Wade’s best moments with their brood, from birthday bashes to family vacations.

Credit: Instagram/Gabrielle Union

October 2022

Princess Kaavia posed for several sweet family selfies with her parents in honor of her mom's 50th birthday. "As we start this journey across the world for my 50th, I just want to luxuriate in my gratitude for my family, my amazing friends and all the friends I haven’t even met in person who have kept this train on the tracks this year, even after I collided with myself," Union captioned the Instagram carousel. "Thank y’all for rockin with the old homie. I appreciate you guys more than you can imagine."

Credit: Instagram/Gabrielle Union

August 2022

LOL! Union couldn't help but share a hilarious video with Kaavia teasing the little one. "When your child finds out you're going on vacation ... but they're not invited," the voiceover on the Instagram video boomed, as Kaavia's face grew more upset and Union's grin grew wider and wider.

Credit: Courtesy Kaavia James/Instagram

May 2022

In May 2022, Queen Latifah gave Kaavia a tutorial in playing pool in a video shared via the tot's Instagram account, which is run by her parents. "Never too early to learn to hustle," read the caption. "Queen Tings! Me & my Auntie @queenlatifah against your best duo. Tag your partner in the comments. Then stop at the bank, we comin for the bag." 

Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock

March 2022

Wade, Zaya and Kaavia joined Union at her Cheaper By the Dozen premiere in March 2022.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union/Instagram

December 2021

"Hardest part about being a working Mom is missing important events in your kid’s lives," Union shared via Instagram in December 2021. "Today I missed @kaaviajames holiday program at school and felt so awful to disappoint her. So I did the next best thing and I became her hype woman before I left for work."

Wade commented, "Village strong."

Credit: Courtesy of Dwyane Wade/Instagram

July 2021

Wade showed Kaavia’s golfing lesson via Instagram Stories in July 2021, which ended with the toddler lying on the ground with her club.

Credit: Courtesy Dwyane Wade/Instagram

November 2020

"November 7th was always a special day in my life because it’s my Mothers birthday but now it’s times that special. Happy 2nd Birthday to my BOSS @kaaviajames aka Shady baby aka 2020 Meme Mood," Wade captioned a series of pics of daughter Kaavia as the couple celebrated her 2nd birthday in November 2020. "Thank you for providing laughter and joy to our lives and so many other families!"

Union also shared a video, captioning it, "The light of our lives. The spark to our joy in dark times. The giggler of farts. The eater of alllll the food. The dancer to the jams. The smart, funny, adventurous, cutie that gave us a different kind of purpose. We ♥️ you sooooo much @kaaviajames Happy Birthday babygirl #ShadyBabyTurns2."

Credit: Courtesy of Dwyane Wade/Instagram

August 2020

Wade gushed about Zaire while dropping him off at Brewster Academy in August 2020. “I’m excited for him to go on this journey of life,” the athlete gushed via Instagram at the time.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union/Instagram

August 2020

Kaavia joined her parents for “double date” night with her stuffed animals in August 2020.

Credit: Courtesy of Zaire/Instagram

June 2020

Wade hugged his son Zaire while celebrating the teenager’s June 2020 graduation.

Credit: Courtesy of Dwyane Wade/Instagram

May 2020

“Waking up and watching you smile, watching you walk in your truth and live your life your way is one of the greatest gifts I’ve been able to experience in my life,” Wade captioned Zaya’s 13th birthday tribute in May 2020.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union/Instagram

May 2020

“@zayawade and @dwyanewade snapped,” Union captioned a May 2020 photo of her husband and his daughter's new vibrant hair colors.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union-Wade/Instagram

February 2020

"I think even through hard times, you gotta just push through," Zaya told her dad in Union's social media footage. "It’s worth it. I feel like it’s very worth it when you reach that point. You can look in the mirror and say to yourself like, ‘Hi, nice to meet you,’ instead of like, I don’t even know who I am, like, a full identity crisis.”

Credit: Courtesy Gabrielle Union/Instagram

April 2020

“See @kaaviajames mama's got hair like yours!!” Union captioned an April 2020 mother-daughter Instagram slideshow. “When I took my braids out she was like [wide eyes]. Now mom & baby both rocking their natural curls.”

Credit: @jsnrod on Instagram

March 2020

"Our village," Union captioned a family photo via Instagram following Zaya's March 2020 performance.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union-Wade/Instagram

December 2019

The couple celebrated Christmas with their kids in Hawaii in December 2019.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union-Wade/Instagram

June 2019

Zaya had her own "cheering section today,” former Miama Heat player captioned an Instagram upload following Pride. “Wish I was there to see you smile kid!”

Credit: Courtesy of Olivia Munn/Instagram

November 2019

Kaavia's party was adorably inspired by The Wiz in November 2019.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union-Wade/Instagram

October 2019

Wade and Union dressed up with Zaire in October 2019.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union-Wade/Instagram

February 2019

Kaavia bonded with Zaire in February 2019.

Credit: Courtesy of Gabrielle Union-Wade/Instagram

November 2018

Union was all smiles with her newborn daughter in November 2018.