Marlene Wilkerson, a social media influencer in lifestyle and early-stage entrepreneurship is Kyrie Irving’s perfect match despite his fame and exceptional skills in basketball as well as scoring. Besides being known as one of the NBA’s top-rated players due to excellent dribbling tactics and the many points that come along with them.
Marlene’s Early Life and Background
Marlene “Golden” Wilkerson was born on August 18, 1993, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in Compton and had a close relationship with her brother and aunts and uncles who were around her age.
Despite her full name being Marlene, her family and friends affectionately call her “Nene.” Wilkerson embraces her African-American roots and takes pride in her Compton upbringing.
Education and Early Career Struggles
After graduating high school, Marlene enrolled at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. However, her initial dream of working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry hit a roadblock due to rejection and lack of experience.
In her own words, “Everyone was telling me ‘no,’ and I had no experience, so I decided to just go for something completely different.”
Entrepreneurial Journey
Undeterred, Marlene took matters into her own hands and embarked on an entrepreneurial journey in 2015. She started her online shop, “The Find Guru,” which evolved from a college assignment to create her own business.
Leveraging the power of social media marketing, Wilkerson sold clothing items she promoted on Instagram and YouTube, turning her platforms into a “one-stop shop” for her followers.
“I started my own clothing line, and I used social media as a platform and a tool to basically market my company,” she explained. “I literally started from ground zero.”
Rise to Social Media Stardom
Marlene’s consistent efforts and engaging content on social media paid off. Her YouTube channel, “The Find Guru,” now boasts nearly 800,000 subscribers and her Instagram account has over 414,000 followers.
On these platforms, she shares beauty tips, fashion advice, glimpses into her fitness routine, and insights into her life as a mom and wife. Marlene’s authenticity and relatability have endeared her to her loyal fan base.
Net Worth and Business Ventures
Through her successful online ventures, Marlene Wilkerson has made an estimated net worth of around $2 million.
Meeting and Falling in Love with Kyrie Irving
Marlene and Kyrie’s love story began in 2018 when they were first spotted together at one of Kyrie’s youth basketball camps. Their connection deepened, and by September 2019, Wilkerson was seen wearing an engagement ring, hinting at their plans.
The couple kept their relationship relatively private, but in 2022, Irving shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing his gratitude for Marlene:
“I love you, and I am eternally grateful we get to spend our lives together. You have taught me so much about Balance, Love, Trust, Community, and Forgiveness.”
Motherhood and Family Life
In August 2020, Marlene discovered she was pregnant with her first child, a moment she described as “the most beautiful, powerful, empowering experience ever.” The couple decided to keep the pregnancy a secret, eventually welcoming their son, Kaire, in 2021 through a natural home water birth.
Wilkerson and Irving also welcomed a second son in October 2022, though they have yet to share his name publicly. Kyrie also has a daughter, Azurie Elizabeth Irving, from a previous relationship.
Despite her fame and success, Marlene cherishes her role as a mother and continues to maintain a level of privacy surrounding her family life.
Marriage and Red Carpet Debut
While Kyrie and Marlene have not officially confirmed their marriage, Wilkerson has referred to Irving as her “husband” on multiple occasions, suggesting they have tied the knot.
In 2023, the couple made their highly anticipated red carpet-debut at the ESPY Awards, showcasing their love and support for one another’s accomplishments.
Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Kyrie Irving and Marlene Wilkerson have found a kindred spirit in each other. Marlene’s free-spirited nature and dedication to personal growth complement Kyrie’s unique personality and spiritual beliefs.
As Wilkerson herself stated, “He put a light on a lot of different things that ultimately were dark spaces within myself, and by doing that, we were able to open and deepen our connection.”
Together, they navigate the challenges of fame, family life, and self-discovery, inspiring others to embrace their authentic selves and pursue their passions fearlessly.
