Anne de Paula is a Brazilian model and the wife of Philadelphia 76ers basketballer Joel Embiid. Anne de Paula was born on March 31, 1995, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she grew up in a warm home full of health care practitioners who taught her several valuable lessons long before she became a model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Joel Embiid is one of the strongest basketballers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has been recognized as the NBA MVP in 2023 and signed a three-year deal worth $193 million with the Philadelphia 76ers. But behind the Philadelphia 76ers star is a woman with deep roots, and behind that woman is a Brazilian family with a compelling story.
Anne de Paula’s Parents
Anne de Paula’s parents are Rod de Paula and Leila de Paula, both of whom were seen in pictures on her Instagram handle. The couple raised Anne in Rio de Janeiro, near the favelas, in a household built around healthcare and hard work.
Anne’s mother, Leila, works as an X-ray technician, while her father, Rod, is a doctor. Growing up surrounded by medical professionals made a real impression on Anne. She had planned to follow her parents into medicine before her modeling career took off.
Anne told Fox News that her whole family worked in the health industry. In her own words: “My mother does X-rays, my dad’s a nurse. My uncle is a cardiologist. And I’ve always loved babies. So I always thought I would be helping babies come into the world.“
How Rod de Paula Shaped Anne’s Competitive Spirit-Rod de Paula
Rod de Paula had a very specific dream for his daughter, and it had nothing to do with medicine or modeling. Because he never had a son, Rod pushed Anne to play soccer from the age of eight or nine. She served as a goalkeeper for five or six years and was often the only girl on the field with the neighborhood boys.
Anne went on to play soccer for her school team and later represented her city. She grew up near the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, where soccer is an integral part of daily life, and spent much of her childhood as a tomboy playing with boys in the street.
Even after Anne became a globally recognized swimsuit model, she still credits her father’s influence. She told Sports Illustrated that if she ever had free time, she would go back to Brazil and play soccer again. That love for the game never left her.
Leila de Paula: The Woman Behind Anne’s Sports Illustrated Journey
If Rod gave Anne her athletic spirit, it was her mother, Leila, who opened the door to modeling. Anne told Maxim she became a model by accident, or rather, because of her mom. After being approached by an agent in Rio de Janeiro, Leila asked her daughter if she wanted to do a professional photo shoot and Anne, who had never worn high heels before, said yes.
Anne was around 13 years old at the time and had zero interest in standing in front of a camera. Though she was not interested in posing at first, her mother kept encouraging her, and it was Leila who also introduced Anne to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
That one push from her mother changed everything. Anne entered the 2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search competition, won the fan vote, and became the SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year in 2018. She has since appeared in the annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition four times, shooting in Anguilla, Kenya, Nevis, and the Dominican Republic.
A Family Proud of Their Daughter
One of the most charming things about Anne de Paula’s family is how openly they supported her career including the boldest shoots.
Anne shared in an interview that her mother, Leila, has a large photo in the living room of Anne wearing only body paint from her Sports Illustrated shoot. Her grandparents were equally enthusiastic, keeping multiple copies of the magazine.
Anne explained that Brazilians are generally open-minded about swimwear and bikini culture, and she was proud of how Sports Illustrated approached its photography.
Anne de Paula and Joel Embiid: From Friends to Husband and Wife
The Brazilian model met Joel Embiid through a mutual friend at a dinner party in New York City in 2018. Anne didn’t even realize he was a basketball player until he stood up at the end of the meal and she saw how tall he was. The two started as close friends, talking over FaceTime daily before their relationship turned romantic.
The couple welcomed their first child, Arthur Elijah, in September 2020. Embiid wrote on social media: “We are so blessed and fortunate to welcome our little boy in this family.” Their son Arthur Elijah de Paula Embiid was named in memory of Joel’s younger brother, who passed away in a car accident in Cameroon in 2013.
Embiid and Anne de Paula tied the knot on July 22, 2023, in Southampton, New York, following a church ceremony. Their son Arthur walked behind his parents after they exchanged vows, with Joel and Arthur both wearing matching white tuxedo jackets.
Today, Anne de Paula splits her time between New York and Philadelphia while continuing her career under the Wilhelmina Models agency. Both Rod and Leila de Paula raised a daughter who carries Rio de Janeiro with her wherever she goes from the beaches of Brazil to the biggest stages in American sports and fashion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the names of Anne de Paula’s parents?
Anne de Paula’s parents are Rod de Paula and Leila de Paula. Both are Brazilian and were seen in pictures shared on Anne’s Instagram.
What does Anne de Paula’s mother, Leila, do for work?
Leila de Paula works as an X-ray technician. She was also the person who encouraged Anne to pursue modeling after being approached by an agent in Rio de Janeiro.
What does Anne de Paula’s father, Rod, do for work?
Rod de Paula is a doctor. He also pushed Anne to play soccer from a young age since he never had a son, turning her into a goalkeeper who played for both her school and her city team.
Did Anne de Paula want to be a doctor like her parents?
Yes. Growing up surrounded by healthcare workers, her mother an X-ray technician, her father a doctor, and her uncle a cardiologist, Anne had always dreamed of becoming a gynecologist and helping deliver babies. Modeling changed that path when she was around 13.
Who is Anne de Paula’s husband?
Anne de Paula is married to Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA star. The Brazilian model and Embiid and Anne de Paula tied the knot on July 22, 2023, in Southampton, New York. They share a son, Arthur Elijah de Paula Embiid, born in September 2020.
When did Anne de Paula win the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search?
Anne de Paula won the 2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search competition, winning the fan vote. She then became the SI Swimsuit Rookie of the Year in 2018 and appeared in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition four times in total.
