Joe Namath Biography

How Many Times Has Joe Namath Been Married?

Joe Namath has only been married once in his life and was married to his wife Deborah Mays on 7 November 1984. The wedding occurred at the Capital Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Regardless of 19 year age difference, they had a good understanding.

Sources claim their marriage was spoiled due to Namath's alcoholism. So, while everything went smoothly between the two, things eventually turned bitter. The couple decided to part ways because the relationship did not work out. In early 2020, Deborah filed for divorce. The pair had actually begun divorce proceedings in 1999.

Before his marriage to Deborah Mays, Namath's womanizing character was quite popular as much as his achievements on the football field. Thus, when he settled down, people quoted Namath by saying Mays had caught his last pass.

Moreover, Namath worked on reducing his alcohol consumption to save his marriage with Mays after the actress threatened to leave him. However, although Namath did work on his alcoholic trait, he began drinking again after their divorce. As a matter of fact, Namath struggled with alcoholism for years and went in and out of rehab. But, the major blow didn't occur until Namath publicly told Suzy Kolber he wanted to kiss her in an interview. Namath later confessed he was ashamed and joined a treatment program for his alcoholism.

How Did Joe Namath, Meet Deborah Mays?

Namath met Deborah through a renowned vocal teacher Arthur Joseph while Mays was attending voice class in 1983. She was at the end of her courses when Joe was admitted to the same institute.

Coincidentally, Mays once shared with Arthur her dream to marry a football player. When Joe began joining classes, Arthur, without hesitation, introduced them to each other.

At first, Joseph's spouse argued that he did wrong introducing a young girl like Debbie, who was 21 then, and Joe, who was around 40. However, the next day, Joe phoned Debbie, and they eventually began dating.

Namath's ex-wife Deborah Mays has one solitary acting credit, a 1983 show "The Greatest American Hero." And a passage in "Namath: A Biography" states that he paid for her to rent the theater in Manhattan to attend Chekhov's play for four nights.

Joe Namath: Father of two Daughters

During sixteen years of marriage, Joe Namath welcomed two beautiful children with now ex-wife Deborah Mays. Joe raised his two grown daughters, Olivia Namath and Jessica Namath, by himself.

Following by divorce, Joe Namath did not marry anyone. In fact, he gave both mom and dad love, fulfilling every little desire of his kids. Nonetheless, Deborah Mays was the one who moved on with surgeon Brian Novack. 

South Florida Sin-Sentinel reported Namath, who filed for divorce in Boward County, requested to be the full-time caretaker of the couple's two kids. At the time of the proceeding, Namath revealed the couple had been living apart since September 1998.

Deborah Tatiyana Mays left the kids with Namath and only occasionally visited them. Mays reported she was bored and struggled with being known as Mrs. Joe Namath. Deborah always wanted her own identity.

What Is Joe Namath's Net Worth?

Joe Namath possesses an estimated net worth of $25 million as of 2023. Not to mention, he earned that wealth from his career as an American football quarterback. Joe received a salary of $200,000 salary.

Namath's rookie contract with the Jets was $427,000 over three years and $142,000 annually. In 1975, Joe signed a record-breaking two-year contract of $900,000 deal with the Jets. 

Joe Namath bought a property on the Upper West Side of New York City for about $1 million. The purchase was indeed a gift for his daughter Jessica and son-in-law. In 2019, it was reported Namath sold the property with a listed price of $1.195 million.

Joe Namath - Quick Facts

• Joe Namath's eldest daughter Jessica Namath is a graduate of her father's alma mater, Alabama University.
• Namath grew up Catholic in Beaver Hills. Pennsylvania alongside his siblings.
• Joe Namath was the son of working-class parents.
• Namath lived with his mother after his parents split.
• Joe Namath was part of the high school football, basketball, and baseball teams.
• Namath chose football by turning down several basketball invitations to Major League Basketball.
• Attended the Unversity of Alabama and represented Crimson Tide.
• Joe Namath's cartilage damage in the knee made him ineligible for the draft during the Vietnam War. At the same time, he was signed by New York Jets.

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