Candace Parker’s Wife: Former Russian Basketball Star Anna Petrakova

Retired WNBA legend Candace Parker is married to Anna Petrakova, a former professional basketball player from Russia. The couple met in 2012 while teammates on UMMC Ekaterinburg during Parker’s overseas stint. What began as friendship evolved into romance after years of late-night talks and an unexpected kiss. Parker, previously married to NBA player Shelden Williams (with whom she shares daughter Lailaa), has shared that she always dated men and never imagined a same-sex relationship until meeting Petrakova. Both women described the realization as surprising and challenging, denying feelings initially before accepting their love. They married privately in December 2019 and publicly came out in 2021 while announcing their first child together. Petrakova, an Olympian who competed for Russia in 2012, gave birth to sons Airr (2022) and Hartt (2024). Parker credits the relationship with profound personal growth.