Who Is Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani’s Wife? Meet Mamiko Tanaka

When Shohei Ohtani signed the biggest free agent contract in baseball history for $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023, fans knew little about his personal life or his wife.

Before the 2024 baseball season began, however, the multi-talented athlete who pitches, slugs home runs, and steals bases disclosed his secret marriage to a woman from his native Japan.

Ohtani first became a baseball icon in Japan, but left to join Major League Baseball in the United States. He began playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2018.

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After his Angels contract expired in 2023, Ohtani, 30, joined the Dodgers with the record-setting 10-year deal. It has more than paid off for the team. Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season. In fact, he wound up surpassing the record, ending the season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases for the Dodgers.

Because Ohtani tore a ligament in his right elbow in August 2023 while pitching for the Angels and is recovering from surgery, he has been the Dodgers' 2024 designated hitter.

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Ohtani has hit the big time, now competing in the World Series as the Dodgers take on the New York Yankees. While the outcome of baseball's fall classic remains to be seen, he hasn’t struck out in his love life. He’s still a newlywed, and wife Mamiko Tanaka has been his biggest fan.

Who is Shohei Ohtani’s wife? Read on to find out more.

Is Shohei Ohtani married?

Yes. Shohei Ohtani is married to Mamiko Tanaka.

Ohtani, who is still learning English, wrote in Japanese (with an English translation in the caption), “To all my friends and fans throughout, I have an announcement to make: Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married.”

A photo of Shohei’s beloved dog, Decoy, was in the bottom corner. “We hope the two of us — and one animal — will work together,” he added to the announcement.

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Ohtani didn’t reveal Tanaka’s identity, but weeks later the Dodgers leaked out on X/Twitter that the lucky lady was Tanaka.

How old is Mamiko Tanaka?

Mamiko Tanaka was born on Dec. 11, 1996, in Tokyo, Japan, making her 27 years old as of this writing.

What does Mamiko Tanaka do?

Ohtani and Tanaka have a lot in common, as she’s also an athlete.

But her skill is on the basketball court instead of the baseball diamond. Tanaka started playing basketball in junior high. Later, she played basketball in college, at Waseda University in Japan.

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Tanaka sunk baskets for the Fujitsu Red Wave of the Women’s Japan Basketball League from 2019 to 2023.

She's now retired from basketball.

How tall is Mamiko Tanaka?

Mamiko Tanaka is a statuesque 5’11,” rare for a woman but still shorter than her new husband. Ohtani is 6'4" tall.

What has Shohei Ohtani said about their relationship?

Very little! He told reporters he and his wife have known each other for a few years.

“I don’t really feel comfortable talking about when I got married exactly, but she’s a normal Japanese woman,” Ohtani told ESPN through an interpreter.

“I felt like it was good timing because it was before the season. I didn’t really want any distractions once the season started. I would have liked to announce it earlier, but there were some paperwork issues that (delayed) the whole process.”

He also said, “She has a great understanding of my profession, and she’s willing to be wherever I wanted to play, and ultimately it was my decision” to join the L.A. Dodgers.

Does Mamiko Tanaka support him at games?

In March 2024, Tanaka cheered her husband on in South Korea when the Dodgers played the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series.

She was also by his side before MLB’s All-Star Game in July 2024 in Arlington, Texas.

And, of course, Tanaka has watched Ohtani play multiple games at Dodger Stadium!

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Mamiko Tanaka and Shohei Ohtani photos

The two remain very private, but Tanaka is doing baseball wife appearances. They hit the red carpet together looking affectionate at the Dodgers Foundation’s Blue Diamond Gala in L.A. in May 2024.

They also dazzled on the carpet during All-Star game week.

Has Mamiko Tanaka embraced her husband’s dog?

Yes! Ohtani and Tanaka have been spotted walking around with his Dutch Kooikerhondje dog, named Decoy. The newlyweds laughed with delight, doting on the pooch. Fox11 caught them taking a selfie with Decoy at Dodger Stadium.

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