- Glory Johnson 34, describes herself as straight even though she was married to her ex-wife, Brittney Griner for barely one month before they parted ways
- The former couple are both professional basketball players in the WNBA and have received quite a number of titles and awards in their career so far
- The mother of two conceived through IVF and has recently shown her concern towards her ex-wife’s safety in Russia
Glory Johnson was apparently married to her fellow WNBA star Brittney Griner for only twenty-eight days before the marriage was annulled. The former couple have both been quite successful in their careers and were regarded as the fan’s favorite lesbian couple until they parted ways.
Johnson has quite a number of accolades to her name. She was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 at Tennessee before she was picked No.4 overall in the 2012 WNBA draft by the Tulsa Shock. Her former partner is not left out as well. Some of her achievements include being a two-time WNBA All-Star for the Phoenix Mercury, former NCCAA champion, and also the 2012 AP Division I Player of the Year.
How Glory Johnson Met Brittney Griner
The two superstars first met at a basketball camp in Las Vegas after which they became friends. Notably, it was Glory that first noticed Brittney Griner and sought her out. After that initial connection, it wasn’t long before their inevitable hookup happened.
Even though Griner was the first to make the move that would seal the relationship. She used the opportunity that came when other friends at the camp went to Cirque du Soleil to ask her out.
Like many juicy rumors, their love affair became public knowledge after they both missed their flight. Other team members’ suspicion was confirmed after their absence when their names were called on the airport intercom. the little setback did not last long since they ended up going home together.
Their engagement was more dramatic than how they met. Griner made the move once more at a party in 2014. Before now, Glory had been blindfolded and Griner asked that her girlfriend be brought to her. Upon removing the blindfold, Glory found Griner on her knees and with a ring proposing to her.
The Truth Behind Glory Johnson And Brittney Griner Divorce
Even though Johnson was not sure she was ready for marriage at their engagement, the worries were kept aside while she said yes to the proposal. After the engagement, the former lovers started spending more time together.
On May 8, 2015, the WNBA players got married in Phoenix. However, their courtship and wedding plans had been so complicated that many thought the wedding would not happen.
The wedding reception took place at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs in Phoenix in the presence of their close friends and loved ones except for their fathers, who both chose not to attend.
Since the marriage started on a rocky footing, the cracks in the marriage started appearing less than a month when Griner reportedly filed for an annulment. According to the filing, Griner was under duress. Moreso, the latter had earlier tried to postpone the wedding which she believes was a mistake but could not stop it.
However, Glory Johnson’s agent D.J Fisher revealed the former was unaware of the filing. A day before the annulment news broke, the basketball player had announced on Instagram that she was pregnant and would miss the 2015 WNBA season due to the pregnancy.
However, their divorce was later finalized in June 2016.
Read Also: Cherelle Griner Is The Wife Of Brittney Griner: What We Know About Her
Intriguing Facts About Glory Johnson That No One Told You About
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1. Glory Johnson was Born to Parents of Nigerian Descent
She was born on July 27 1990 in Colorado Spring to Mercy Bassey Johnson and her husband Bassey Johnson Udofot. Her parents are both from Nigeria but spent many years in the US. Glory’s father is a petrochemical engineer and did his higher studies at the University of Birmingham in the UK.
He was employed by NASA in 2008 but later sued NASA for internal safety violations. However, he lost the petition and was later dismissed.
Glory’s parents raised her and her four siblings, Dorothy, Isaac, Judy, and Grace in Knoxville, Tennessee.
2. Her Education and Early Career
Glory attended Webb High School where she was named the 2007 Tennessee Miss Basketball for Division II. After high school, she earned four varsity letters in both basketball and track and field events. She was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Physics Club, and Spanish Club in high school.
She enrolled at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2008. Glory graduated with a bachelor’s degree in global studies within just three years. She took 16 and 15 credits in her fourth year at the University of Tennessee to complete her master’s in Journalism and electronic media.
Apparently, Johnson played college at the University of Tennessee Lady Vols before moving into her professional career in the Women National Basketball Association.
3. Glory Johnson Was Drafted in the First Round of the 2012 WNBA
She was reportedly selected in the first round of the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Tulsa Shock. Glory impressed many in her rookie season placing her in fourth place rank for steals per game.
During her third and fourth seasons with the Shock, her outstanding performance made her named in the Western Conference All-Star team for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
She sat out her fifth season after announcing her pregnancy. Yet, she continued to play for the team even after she returned as a free agent.
In between times, she also played three off-seasons in Russia for Chevakata Vologda and Nadezhda Orenburg. In November 2016, it was announced that Johnson had signed with the Xinjiang Tianshan Deers of the WCBA for the 2016–17 off-season.
For the 2018-19 off-season, she reportedly signed with Hatay BB of the Turkish league. She has equally played for the United State at the 2011 Summer Universiade that was held in Shenzhen China. Her team won all their six games and earned the gold medal at the tournament.
4. Glory Johnson Also Plays for Montenegro National Team
Glory has played at different levels for different teams. Interestingly, she also represents the Montenegro National Team at the International Level. She reportedly holds a Montenegrin passport that allows her to play for the team.
5. Glory Johnson Considers herself Straight and not Lesbian
According to reports, Glory Johnson has revealed that she has never dated women before and so does not consider herself a lesbian despite the fact that she was previously married to one. In fact, the first night she spent with Griner during the Cirque du Soleil event marked a new beginning for her.
After the event, Griner escorted Glory to her hotel room. That night marked Glory’s first intimate relationship with a woman. The news of her engagement with a woman was quite shocking to many especially members of her family. On her part, she did not know how to tell her family the situation but later had to do it.
Her mother did not believe the news till she saw her daughter, Glory with her former partner. Her father on the other hand did not take the news well and he reportedly even refused to attend the wedding. Glory defended her choice by maintaining that she only fell in love with just an individual (Griner).
6. She Got Pregnant Two Weeks After She Married Griner
One month after Johnson and Griner tied the knot, they announced they were expecting their first child via IVF. the two-time All-star for the Tulsa Shock was the one who shared the news on Instagram.
Glory Johnson, who became pregnant with twins via in vitro fertilization with her egg and a donor’s sperm missed the 2015 WNBA season.
On October 12 2015 the basketball player reportedly gave birth in her 24th week. The twin children, AvaSimone and Solei Diem have no biological connection with Brittney Griner.
7. She Got Spousal Support from Griner when she was Pregnant with their Twins
Before she had the twins, she requested $20,000 monthly spousal support from Brittney Griner but that was denied by a judge in Maricopa County.
However, there are reports that suggest Griner has been ordered to pay child support to the Colorado-born basketballer. An Arizona Judge Timothy Thomason agreed that $2,516.97 was to be paid as monthly child support by Griner.
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8. Glory Johnson and Her Former Partner Were Arrested for Fighting
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In 2015, the ex-couple found themselves in the police net after fighting in their Goodyear home. At the time, Glory’s two sisters, Grace and Judy witnessed the ugly incident. The 34-year old Glory and her then 34 year old ex were arrested.
They both sustained minor injuries and were made to share the same cell during their detention. Despite the arrest for the domestic violence incident, both lovers were suspended by the WNBA which resulted in them losing seven games.
9. Her Former Partner Married Cherelle Watson
Johnson’s ex, Giner has moved on after the collapse of their marriage in 2016. Brittney Griner engaged Cherelle Watson in August 2018 and tied the knot in June 2019. Cherelle who now uses Cherelle Griner is an entrepreneur and a professional blogger. She has also worked as a math teacher in the past
Reportedly, the two met while they were both attending Baylor University. However, they are said to have only started dating in 2017 after Griner and Johnson finalized their divorce.
10. Glory Johnson’s Ex-partner Was Arrested in Russia Over Drugs Charges
In February 2022, Griner was reportedly detained in Russia after customs officials allegedly found cannabis oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow. The two-time Olympic basketball gold medalist might be sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly smuggling significant amounts of a narcotic substance.
There are many concerns regarding her release since her case has attracted political fervor. Notably, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, the relationship between the two countries is now sour. As of this writing, her arrest is extended to May 19, 2022.
It is hoped that the hearing will provide a leeway since she is likely facing a charge of 10 years imprisonment for drug charges. Also, Russia is known for its strong anti-gay laws and these make the concern for her safety serious, especially in prison.
Johnson and quite a number of people worldwide have shown their concern via social media. Griner’s wife has expressed her worry via Instagram as well. Also, her high school basketball coach, Debbie Jackson also shared her worries.
Complete profile of Glory Johnson
| Glory Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Glory Bassey Johnson |
| Date of Birth | 27 July 1990 |
| Age | 34 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Birth place | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| Nationality | American/Montenegrin |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Education | University of Tennessee, Webb School |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| Father | Bassey Johnson Udofot |
| Mother | Mercy Bassey Johnson |
| Siblings | Grace Johnson, Judy Johnson, Dorothy Johnson, and Isaac Johnson |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse/Partner | Brittney Griner (m. 2015–2016) |
| Boyfriend | NA |
| Kids | 2 |
| Religion | NA |
| Estimated Net Worth: | $4milllion-$12million |
| Source of net worth | Basketball career |
| Height | 6feet 3inches(1.91m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Hair color | Dark Brown |
| Social media | Instagram |
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