Michael Strahan was married twice, and to the present day, he relates differently to both women. However, the common ground is his four kids from both marriages.
Another facet of life that Michael seems to have going well for him is his beloved family. The star is a dad to four kids from different marriages, and here’s how he navigates it all.
Michael Strahan and his daughters, Sophia and Isabella, pictured at the 2019 Kids Choice Sports Awards | Source: Getty Images
INSIDE MICHAEL STRAHAN’S LIFE
Michael is nearing his fifties and has achieved a successful career that many would pine for, but the ball keeps rolling. He was born into a family that communed between the United States and Germany.
According to him, living in Germany added value to him in remarkable ways and exposed him to the presence of diverse cultures and people. He stated that all of this helped shape his sense of community.
Former football player Michael Strahan on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” Season 22 on December 20, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
It is safe to say that this knowledge did well in helping Michael form a lovely family, albeit a blended one. Michael wielded a 15-season NFL career with the New York Giants as a younger man.
He then became a TV analyst on game days. The retired NFL player stated that he initially did not see himself doing sports TV, but when he did, he also thought that was all he would do when it came to TV.
However, Michael’s expertise in showbiz had him recognized on other big platforms. Michael joined Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos on “Good Morning America.”
Through the years, Michael seems to have mastered the art of balancing family and career, and his lifestyle fits accordingly. The star has shared that one would always make time for things they want to do. With this in mind, he has been able to handle moments with his children while foregoing business or career-related events.
There were also claims that Jean siphoned millions from Michael before their divorce, preventing them from buying his parents a decent home.
WHO ARE HIS EX-WIVES?
Currently, Michael has found love again and is dating Fizzness CEO and founder, Kayla Quick. While speaking about her brand and career, Kayla mentioned: “Fizzness was inspired by the desire to create beauty-based wellness products that simplify your routine…”
According to a news outlet, Michael’s health advocate girlfriend, who teamed up with one of his twin daughters for a wellness campaign last year, has a criminal record. Nonetheless, the happy couple, who were spotted enjoying some fun in the sun while out for a day at the beach in St. Barts in 2016, appear to be still going strong.
Before meeting Quick though, Michael had lived the married life. Michael’s life as a married man endured through the 90s to the 2000s, starting in 1992 when he tied the knot with Wanda Hutchins. The pair were married for four years and had two children, Tanita, and Michael Strahan Jr.
It seems Wanda has another child, presumably after their divorce. Her daughter, Tanita, once shared a family photo showing her second sibling.
The former defensive end was ready for marriage again in the same year, walking down the aisle with Jean Muggli, and the pair were a couple for ten years.
MICHAEL’S ROCKY RELATIONSHIP WITH MUGGLI
In his marriage to Jean, Michael became a dad to a set of twins, Isabella and Sophia Strahan, who are currently in their teens. By 2006, Michael and Jean were headed to the divorce court in what became a long and messy process.
The couple called it quits one year after their twin daughters were born. Michael had filed for divorce, but in subsequent times, Jean accused him of domestic violence.
The 52-year-old star vehemently opposed Jean’s claim noting that he would never physically or psychologically abuse his loved ones. As time went on, Jean admitted that Michael was right that he never got physical with her. When the divorce was finalized in 2006, Muggli parted with $15.3 million and an $18,000 stipend per month in child support.
THE PAIR HAD MORE ISSUES
The brawl and court drama between Jean and Michael made news headlines again in 2020 over the custody battle. Michael had filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife, claiming that she “subjected the children to verbal and physical abuse.”
He accused Jean of negligence, stating that she did not see to it that their daughters attended court-ordered therapy sessions. In light of this, the dad-of-four suggested that Jean be held in civil or criminal contempt.
Michael Strahan and Jean Muggli at the Esquire Apartment Launch Party in New York City in 2003. | Source: Getty Images
The TV star also said that Jean did not let the twins have their passports ahead of a vacation in Europe. There were also claims that Jean siphoned millions from Michael before their divorce, preventing them from buying his parents a decent home.
MICHAEL AS A LOVING DAD
Despite the myriads of upheavals between him and his second wife, Michael decided to shut out the negativity and focus his energy on his children. Tanita, 40, and Michael Jr., 26, are all grown. However, Sophia and Isabella are still strapping teens.
In a 2016 interview with People, the celebrity dad glowed as he talked about his kids, noting that they gave him strength. Michael minced no words as he stated his affection for his children.
Michael is the patriarch with wisdom nuggets, but he once admitted that he had learned a great deal from his children. The star once shared that the kids made him realize that one was allowed to have fun even as life gets more serious and tougher.
INSIDE HIS KIDS’ LIVES
Michael has shown tremendous support for her art, often sharing bits and pieces on his social media pages. His second child Michael Jr. graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in psychology.
Michael Jr. enjoys keeping a low profile, but he has appeared on his dad’s show a few times. The twins are gradually coming into their own and are exploring several career options.
In March 2022, Sophia made her runway debut at the Sherri Hill fashion show. Her proud father took to his Instagram page, pouring out his admiration. Isabella and Sophia are also active volleyball players and equestrians.
Sadly, as of the end of 2023, Isabella was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to undergo surgery as a result. This year, Isabella and her father sat down with “GMA’s” Robin Roberts to share her story. Of the tragic ordeal Isabella is facing, her loving father expressed: “I know she’s going through it, but I know that we’re never given more than we can handle and that she is going to crush this.”
Although Isabella is facing an extremely tough time in her life, the brave young lady luckily has the continued and enduring support of her loving family, which includes her doting dad, Michael.