Diana Taurasi: Is Gay, Husband, Children, Ethnicity, How Tall Is?

Diana Taurasi is one of the most accomplished players in women’s basketball history. The former Phoenix Mercury star built a legendary career that included three WNBA championships, six Olympic gold medals and the WNBA’s all-time scoring record. She also became one of the most prominent openly lesbian athletes in professional basketball.

Beyond the court, fans have long searched for information about Taurasi’s personal life, including whether she is gay, who her husband is, whether she has children, her ethnic background and how tall she is.

Here is a closer look at Diana Taurasi’s life and family.

Is Diana Taurasi gay?

Yes. Diana Taurasi identifies as a lesbian.

Taurasi married former Phoenix Mercury teammate Penny Taylor in 2017, and the couple have built a family together. Equality Forum’s LGBT History Month biography specifically states that Taurasi identifies as a lesbian.

Although the terms “gay” and “lesbian” are sometimes used broadly, lesbian is the more accurate term for Taurasi based on published biographical information.

Taurasi’s relationship with Taylor also became an important part of her public story. The pair were teammates with the Phoenix Mercury and were together for several years before marrying.

Who is Diana Taurasi’s wife?

Diana Taurasi’s wife is Penny Taylor, a former professional basketball player from Australia.

Taylor and Taurasi were teammates with the Phoenix Mercury and became one of the best-known couples in women’s basketball. They married in May 2017 after dating for several years. Team USA confirms that Taurasi is married to Taylor and that they have two children.

Taylor also enjoyed an outstanding basketball career. She represented Australia internationally and won two Olympic silver medals.

Their relationship has remained relatively private compared with many celebrity couples, although Taurasi has spoken about family life since retiring from professional basketball.

How many children does Diana Taurasi have?

Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor have two children: a son and a daughter.

Their son, Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor, was born in March 2018. Their daughter, Isla Taurasi-Taylor, was born in October 2021. People reported that the couple welcomed Isla shortly after Taurasi played in Game 5 of the 2021 WNBA semifinals.

The family has remained an important part of Taurasi’s life after her basketball career.

In a 2025 interview with TIME, Taurasi discussed enjoying everyday family activities, including taking her children to school and spending more time at home after retiring from basketball.

Diana Taurasi’s children

Leo Michael Taurasi-Taylor

Leo is Taurasi and Taylor’s first child. He was born in March 2018.

Taurasi has spoken about Leo’s growing interest in basketball. By 2025, he had started playing basketball, with Penny Taylor helping coach his team.

Isla Taurasi-Taylor

Isla is the couple’s second child. She was born in October 2021.

In an interview reported by People, Taurasi described Isla as particularly athletic and energetic. Taurasi and Taylor have emphasized allowing their children to choose their own interests rather than forcing them into basketball.

What is Diana Taurasi’s ethnicity?

Diana Taurasi has Italian and Argentine family heritage.

According to the WNBA, her father, Mario Taurasi, was from Taurasi, Italy, while her mother, Lili, is from Argentina. Team USA similarly identifies her father as Italian-born and raised in Argentina and her mother as a native of Argentina.

Taurasi was born in Glendale, California, and grew up in Southern California. Her family moved to the region before she was born.

She has also spoken Spanish, and the WNBA notes that Spanish is the language of choice in the Taurasi household.

Therefore, searches describing Taurasi as having Italian-Argentine heritage are consistent with the biographical information provided by Team USA and the WNBA.

How tall is Diana Taurasi?

Diana Taurasi is officially listed at 6 feet tall (1.83 meters).

Both the WNBA and Team USA list her height as 6’0″.

Her size, shooting ability, ball handling and competitive style helped make her one of the most difficult guards to defend during her career.

Diana Taurasi’s basketball career

Taurasi became a national star at the University of Connecticut, where she helped the Huskies win three consecutive NCAA championships from 2002 through 2004.

The Phoenix Mercury selected her No. 1 overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft. She went on to spend her entire 20-year WNBA career with Phoenix.

Her professional résumé is extraordinary.

She won:

• Three WNBA championships
• One WNBA MVP award
• Two WNBA Finals MVP awards
• Six Olympic gold medals
• Six EuroLeague championships
• Three FIBA Women’s World Cup gold medals

Taurasi also became the first player in WNBA history to reach 10,000 career points. The league lists her as its all-time leading scorer with 10,646 points.

When did Diana Taurasi retire?

Taurasi announced her retirement from professional basketball in 2025 after completing a remarkable 20-year WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury.

At the time, she explained that she felt mentally and physically ready to move on from professional basketball. TIME reported that she wanted to spend more time at home with Taylor and their two children.

Her retirement marked the end of one of the longest and most successful careers in WNBA history.

Diana Taurasi family background

Taurasi was born Diana Lurena Taurasi on June 11, 1982.

Her father, Mario, played professional soccer as a goalkeeper. Her mother, Lili, is Argentine. Taurasi also has an older sister named Jessika.

Her family background helped give her a multicultural upbringing, with Italian and Argentine roots and Spanish spoken within the family.

Diana Taurasi’s legacy

Diana Taurasi’s impact extends far beyond her scoring record.

She became one of the defining players of the WNBA’s first two decades and helped establish women’s professional basketball as a major sports attraction. Her competitiveness, confidence and long-range shooting made her one of the league’s most recognizable stars.

Her six Olympic gold medals are particularly remarkable. Team USA lists her as an Olympian at the 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 Games.

At the same time, her openness about her sexuality and her family life with Penny Taylor made her an important figure for LGBTQ+ representation in professional sports.

Diana Taurasi FAQs

Is Diana Taurasi gay?

Diana Taurasi identifies as a lesbian. She is married to former Australian basketball player Penny Taylor.

Who is Diana Taurasi married to?

She is married to Penny Taylor, her former Phoenix Mercury teammate. They married in 2017.

Does Diana Taurasi have children?

Yes. Taurasi and Taylor have two children: son Leo Michael and daughter Isla.

How tall is Diana Taurasi?

Diana Taurasi is 6 feet tall (1.83 m), according to the WNBA and Team USA.

What is Diana Taurasi’s ethnicity?

Taurasi has Italian and Argentine heritage. Her father was born in Italy and raised in Argentina, while her mother is from Argentina.

Who is Diana Taurasi’s wife?

Her wife is Penny Taylor, a former Phoenix Mercury player and Australian international basketball star.

How many Olympic gold medals does Diana Taurasi have?

Taurasi has won six Olympic gold medals, representing Team USA at six Olympic Games.

Final thoughts

Diana Taurasi’s story combines an extraordinary basketball career with a notable personal life. She identifies as a lesbian, married former teammate Penny Taylor in 2017 and is the mother of two children, Leo and Isla. Her Italian and Argentine family heritage is another important part of her background.

At 6 feet tall, Taurasi used skill, toughness and elite shooting rather than overwhelming size to become one of basketball’s greatest guards. Her six Olympic gold medals, three WNBA championships and status as the league’s all-time leading scorer have secured her place among the sport’s legends.