Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova: All About the Reality Star and Tennis Pro's Marriage

Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova were a match made in heaven.

He made a couple Real Housewives history in 2021 as the first same-sex couple to appear in the franchise. At the time, Julia told NBC News that she was “overwhelmed[ed]” with the support she and Martina received after she entered the Bravo show.

The tennis legend met her husband in 2000, although they lost contact for almost a decade, Julia said The Daily Mail.

“I was engaged in modeling, I lived in Paris [when we first met] and meet all these amazing people — famous people, royalty,” she said. “I’m not a tennis fan, but of course I knew who she was and we were just talking.”

The paths of Martina and Julija met again at the French Open in 2008. Since then, they began to create a friendship that slowly grew into something more.

Martina proposed to the former Miss USSR at the 2014 US Open, and they married later that year on December 15, 2014. Since then, Martina and Julia have shared their relationship on RHOM and welcomed two sons through adoption.

Here’s everything you need to know about Martina Navratilova and Julija Lemigova’s relationship, from their early friendship to their public proposal.

They met in 2000, but only started dating in 2008

Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova take a selfie in the royal box ahead of the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships on July 15, 2023.

Clive Brunskill/Getty

Martina and Julia first met in a bar in 2000. The sparks between them didn’t fly at first, and Julia felt like it was a missed opportunity to connect. At that time, Julia was working as a model and said The Daily Mail that she recognized Martin.

Julia revealed on RHOM season 4 which she “gave [Martina] look over the bar” to let her know she’s interested.

“You have to come and talk to me,” Julia said of her subliminal message to Martina. “A second passed and I turned around. She received a message. She came to talk to me and introduced herself. But alas, that was the end of our moment. Something could have happened, but it didn’t.”

Martina and Julia’s paths crossed again eight years later when they reunited at the French Open.

“Exactly eight years later, on the day … déjà vu! During the French Open, I ran into Martina and asked, ‘How about breakfast?’ Julia continued RHOM. “We had breakfast the next day, then the next day, then the third day. And then she moved in.”

Martina is a mother figure for Julia’s daughters

Victoria Lemigova, Julia Lemigova, Emma Lemigova and Martina Navratilova.

Julia Lemigova/Instagram

Julia struggled with the idea of ​​going out into the world and was worried about finding out she was dating Martin. She said The Daily Mail that their relationship started as a friend and developed into something more.

She added that her daughters Victoria and Emma “adored” Martina and loved spending time with her. Eventually, one of Julia’s daughters asked her more about her relationship with Martin after the kids at her school started talking.

“She asked, ‘Who is Martina?’ so we had to sit down and talk about it,” said Julia. “I said, ‘Martina is someone I love.’ Her eyes widened. I remember saying, ‘I can’t imagine life without her.’ Then we talked about whether they liked Martina around and I remember my daughter saying, ‘I want her to live with us too.’ ”

After the conversation, Julia was still worried about going out in front of the rest of the world. At the end of the day, the reality star chose to come out with the support of her two daughters.

“When I saw my two little girls stand up to their friends and say, ‘Yeah, we have two moms,’ and I saw them, and it was like, ‘Oh my God. My girls came out faster than me!’ ” she told NBC News. I never, ever looked back.”

Julia is grateful to her daughters for giving her the final “encouragement” and an extra layer of “support” to date Martin. “It’s very important to everyone when you have your family, whether it’s your children, parents or loved ones – just to support you and help you,” she said.

Martina proposed to Julija during the US Open, and they got married in 2014

Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova celebrate their engagement during Day 13 of the 2014 US Open on September 6, 2014 in New York.

Uri Schanker/GC images

After Julia went out with Martin, her children wanted to get married. Martina proposed to Julija in one of the most public ways possible at the 2014 US Open tennis tournament. Their proposal was broadcast on the big screen at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

Martina told PEOPLE, however, that it should not have been done that way.

“Originally it wasn’t the idea to do it at the US Open, on the Jumbotron and all that, but then it was, ‘Why not? I’ve seen it in the movies!’ Martina told PEOPLE. “And everything turned out, everything turned out perfectly!”

After their proposal, Martina was grateful for the “outpouring of support” that fans gave her and Julia. The couple then married on 15 December 2014. Martina told the BBC that it was “about time” she got married.

“I’m 58 years old, I got married for the first time – it’s about time, right?” said Martina. “Growing up as a gay woman you just don’t think about it, and then I thought, about 10 years ago, ‘You know, I think in 10 years, gay marriage will be legal.’ And here we are, 10 years later, making it legal.”

For her part, Julia admitted that she is grateful that their relationship has brought so much positivity to the LBGTQ+ community.

“I think it’s important to see couples like us getting married,” said Julia The Daily Mail. “Marriage is a natural progression — and something that is simply not questioned in heterosexual couples. I really hope that us getting married in such a public way gives hope to families like ours.”

Brooke Shields was their godmother

Martin Navratilova and Julija Lemigova.

Julia Lemigova/Instagram

On Valentine’s Day 2022, Julia shared pictures from her wedding on Instagram, including photos with Brooke Shields.

Andy Cohen later asked her on his show about her relationship with Martina and Julia Watch what’s happening live, where it was revealed that Brooke was the maid of honor at the wedding.

Julia and Martina were the first out lesbian couple Real Housewives

Charles Sykes/Bravo

Julia is the first housewife to be in an external lesbian relationship in the history of the franchise. She accepted this honor with pride, and with enthusiasm she showed the audience a little more about her relationship with her husband Martin.

“I’m thrilled to create this relationship with my fans and people in general, and shine a light on our life, the way we live,” Julia told NBC News. “Again, love has no gender – and normalizing what should be normal, is normal.”

They adopted two children

Martina Navratilova, Julia Lemigova, Victoria Lemigova and Emma Lemigova.

Julia Lemigova/Instagram

During the 5th season RHOMJulia shared that she wants to adopt a child with Martin. Unfortunately, their adoption plans were cut short when the former tennis player was diagnosed with cancer.

“When you adopt a child, it has to be about the child. And now everything is about Martina and her recovery. So we’re putting it on hold,” Julia said during the Season 5 reunion.

In June 2023, Martina announced that she was cancer-free, and in August 2024, PEOPLE learned that the couple had two sons through adoption.

“We are pleased to recognize the challenges and rewards for all,” Martina said in a statement.

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